If you are still idling at least a tank through during break-in, you're using the old-school accepted method (still works well for some!) but it's not the method that the top engine guys (Ron Paris, Dennis Richey, Rody Roem, Michael Salven are just a few I've spoken personally with about this) recommend anymore.

From the very 1st time you start your engine, plop the car on the ground & begin running it in a parking lot in 2-3 minute intervals, tuned only *slightly rich* getting the temps up in the 200F range on a normal day. Every 2-3 minutes, shut the engine down & let it cool completely with the piston at BDC, and then fire it back up; continue this cycle until you've run 15 min or so, and then bump up to 3-4 minute intervals. Vary the RPM and don't be afraid to get the temps in the 200's. What you want is heat cycling of the components without the incredible stress that comes with breaking an engine in when it's overly rich & cold. After cycling the engine in this mannerfor about 20-25 total minutes, it'll be ready for the track and race tuning. I realize this method goes against the old-school "idle on the box" routine, but you'll be amazed once you've completed this break-in routine, your OS will still have amazing pinch w/out sticking at the top AND your XX's compression will last far longer than it will with the "old school" method.

You say you run the engine at "factory settings" for the first FIVE tanks? That alone causes lots of stress, as the factory XX settings are very rich on every XX I've ever owned or tuned. The piston & sleeve haven't expanded to operating temps, and every time the engine turns over, the piston slams into the pinch zone at TDC. The not-so-surprising result can be a cracked con-rod at the crank pin--that's where the majority of the stresses occur as the engine turns over. I've only heard of about 6-8 XX engines breaking con-rods, and they're ALWAYS during the first gallon...and almost every time it's because the guys have performed the break-in procedure you described. Doesn't seem like a mystery as to why it's happening. Drawing out the break-in routine really stresses the engine & actually wears away compression along the way. This method I've outlined will feel weird at every step, but after you try it once, you'll notice a big difference in your engine's performance & lifespan.

Hope this helps; give this break-in method a shot--you have nothing to gain except longer life & more power

not written by me , stephen bess wrote the article

This is what I have always done and people thought I was crazy

Johnny cool Guy!

Are you JOHNNY COOL GUY??

I have used this method several times and it has never let me down. I add one step. I heat cycle the 1st 25 mins in 3 min intervals on the box with the head wrapped to keep the temp up. Just my twist/ tweak.

can i be johnny cool guy ?

There's only one Johnny cool guy and he's still alive....you can be Monty Cool Guy

I too thought the original post looked familiar. this link also credits the original poster of it instead of plagiarizing it..

http://www.johnnycoolguy.com/JCGR/ma..._break-in.html

loop I don't think Monty was plagiarizing intentionally...I think it was more of a Help the newbie's post...to give credit to the original Author of this tutorial it is
STEPHEN BESS, but this has worked it's way around the web for awhile, and I don't think the author's name was circulated with it. It is possible that the post this particular verse was taken from did not have an authors name attached.

Just MO..Monty's not like that

Agreed. Heat cycling is the only way to go.

I agree Jaz, no way Monty claims this as his own words.

no big jaz , everybody has there own opinions and you know what those are like


yes that is where it was copied from and i just figured it would be a little more helpful just as i posted it .

you act like i was trying to take credit and make millions off of it or something

Looks pretty close to what the Traxxas manuals will tell you, too... Except, I don't think my manual said anything about temps, lol.

william, you are always crying somewhere online are'nt you

I always curse at them and run used glow plugs, I've had some engines last as long as 2 gallons. Wear a disguise and break them in at night near a hospital or church,get some real demons and put them in the pipe and pull the trigger.

Time to renew that prescription dude