Starting a new engine

DaveK(IN) · Dec 5, 2016

I am repowering my JD 316 with a new B/S Vangard 18 hp engine.My question is will the amount of "turning over" while waiting for gas to be pumped to the engine, filling the carb, etc. pump enough oil throughout the engine before it starts running? OR, should I crank it some before allowing gas to flow to the engine? I'm going to use 10W-30 synthetic oil.
TIA for comments- DaveK

BushogPapa · Dec 5, 2016

I would not use Synthetic until after the 2nd oil change, to give the Rings a chance to Seat and seal..if you don't, it may always use oil..

Bob · Dec 5, 2016

A little extra cranking sure wouldn't hurt, although the new engine should be somewhat pre-lubed.

As to the synthetic oil, what does Briggs recommend for breakin of that engine?

Generally, conventional wisdom is NOT to use synthetic oil in the first 50 hours or so of use because it's good lubricating qualities hinder and/or delay piston ring seating. Better check Briggs recommendations to be sure.

jeffcat · Dec 5, 2016

Both replys are dead on!! What I did on one of my Briggs V tech engines while it was still off of the tractor was to put a bottle of just 30 wt in it and carefully roll it over and over like a big beach ball. This got oil everywhere in the engine. With car or tractor engine you can use a pressure tank oiler. These small engines can be pre lubed but they must be no more than 5 or 6 pounds so you don't blow stuff out. Not nice to blow seals out. Couple on drops of ATF in the cylinders too. If you don't use regular oil for a couple of 10 or 15 hours of run time the rings never seat. After break in I highly recommend a synthetic blend of 5-20. That is what most small engines use. Read your book. One of my little Troy pony machines is over 10 years old and the engine is Spotless internally.

MSS3020 · Dec 6, 2016

I just put a 25 in a jd425 abbout ayear ago... DONT USE SYN until after break in.. Didnt do any thing particular on first setup except start it.. started right up.. These Vangards are suppose to be ran and tested before shipped so there is oil already in it..

Mule Meat · Dec 12, 2016

Add oil and start it. I have yet to see a new mower sold that comes with a "special" bottle of oil to break in the engine. If it is sitting on a show room floor it's a good 99% chance that the guy selling it has already added the oil that came with it..

The engine was filled with oil, test ran on LP and the oil drained at the factory. Nothing special needs to done to it before use.

Unless you rebuilt the engine yourself. You do not need to do nothing special or run BR30 or BR10W30 oil.

JT · Dec 14, 2016

I used to think the same thing, Briggs and Stratton, in their Vangard engines, are now recommending, from new, to use 10w30 synthetic oil, when I asked them about break in period, because I have always been told by factory reps I deal with, to use regular oil, designed for air cooled engines, during break in because synthetic is too slick, and can cause oil consumption, but, I guess, newer engines, newer ways of doing things.
jt

Starting a new engine

DaveK(IN)

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BushogPapa

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Bob

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jeffcat

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MSS3020

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Mule Meat

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JT

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