When I bought my Arctic Cat last month, I asked the tech that was going over it with me about break-in.

He said it wasn't necessary to worry about it, because the engines went through a break-in at the factory.

I took his word for it, and have put about 60 miles on it so far.

I haven't abused it, but I've had it wide open 3-4 times, and have pulled my 5x10 trailer around the yard a little.

The manual says a 10 hour (100 mile) break-in is necessary, and that during this time, you should stay below 1/2 throttle and not tow a trailer.

It's running just fine, but I'm worried that I may have damaged something.

Any thoughts, experience, etc. on this topic?

 

there are mixed emotions on here about break in periods. You should be fine.

 

Your fine. You need to hit full throttle in short bursts to help seat the rings. If your trailer was loaded and you were pulling it up a hill for a long period of time, then I would be concerned about overheating a new engine. If the engines were "Broke In" at the factory, you would think that the manual would tell you that the engine does not need a break in period.

 

I think you are fine. You might want to change the oil now though.

My manual used to say 10hrs or 100 miles whichever comes first. As Sidewinder eluded there are many different views on break in methods. I think what the tech meant was the engine was run at the factory.

I broke both my machines in similar to the way you have described riding yours, I was not babying it around to the magical 10hrs or 100miles. Changed the oil and saw some metal shavings gasket material and gunk in the oil and was very worried. Then I found out that it was OK and the stuff in the first oil change is why you break it in. I now have over 10,000 miles on each machine, no problems.

SJ

 

i drove mine hard during the first 100 miles. the only thing i did different was i never held the rpm's the same for longer then a couple seconds without burping it hard. i even took it out mud running and had 27 inch tires on right away. and i been through the factory, they don't break them in there cause that would end up being thousands of machines yearly they would have to breakin. what they do is start it on the line to make sure it starts and then rev it up and shut it off.

 

everyone has their own way but I seated the rings pretty fast. changed oil & filter at 40 miles and again at 100 miles. runs great and no problems..


Hey weez, pic#1 why dont you rebuild that antique?

 

hey mud that car has been long since crushed, besides it wasn't mine it was my buddies. i'm currently rebuilding my 1964 toyota fj40 landcruiser