Tips for breaking in a brand new engine?

[WhiteJames]

Oil Sludge

Judging by the readings I have done on the EA888 TSI Golf GTI motor – the ideal operating temperature for the GTI is in range of 95 – 100 degrees Celsius. The oil thermostat does not open until 95 degrees and is completely open at 105 degrees.

Being a MKV GTI owner in the past, I always felt that it took the DSG gearbox about 3 times as long to reach idea operating temperature versus the coolant temp of 90 degrees Celsius. The super smooth DSG changes were always a bit clunky until about 3 times longer than the coolant hitting ideal operating temperature. The addition of the oil temperature gauge on the Mark 6 GTI confirms this. If it takes you 7 minutes for the coolant to hit ideal operating temperature – you’re looking at up to 21 minutes for the engine and DSG oil to reach idea operating temperature of 95 degrees Celsius. It’s not reassuring if you live within 20 minutes drive from work – your oil temperature has just warmed up. Additionally: As the motor is in the process of warming up, some of the pollutants are recirculated back through the motor as an anti-pollution measure required in new vehicles these days, which in the longer term, may cause the oil to sludge-up. Sludgy oil causes motors to seize. It’s always good to change the oil with greater frequency if driving frequent short distance trips.

Cheers
WJ

[prise]

I know from experience that light aircraft engines have a minimum oil temperature specified before the pilot can use full power. With the Rotax 1.5 litre turbocharged engine for example the minimum oil temperature was 50 degrees. Below that the oil would be too thick to provide the flow required to lubricate the engine at high RPM. Conversely if the oil got too hot (130 degrees from memory) its would be too thin too maintain adequate oil pressure. It would be useful to know what oil temperature VW regards as required for adequate lubrication at max throttle. I did notice that the oil temperature reading on my MFD doesn't display until the oil has reached 50 deg.

One of the features on the 1.4l TSI engines which should improve longevity is that the oil pump adjusts its pumping volume to maintain a constant oil pressure rather than use a constant volume pump with a pressure relief valve. This gives better oil pressure at low revs which is where engines spend most of their time.

[WhiteJames]

The Volkswagen 2.0 Litre
Chain-Driven TSI Engine

Lubrication System

Oil Pump
The external gear oil pump is housed in the oil pan
top section and is chain-driven by the crankshaft.
The oil pressure is controlled inside the pump by
a control spring and piston. The system is also
protected against overpressure by a spring loaded
valve ball (cold start valve).

Excessively high oil pressures can occur at high oil
viscosity levels during cold starting.

Cheers
WJ

[Transporter]

If you do only short trips you could cover radiator grill up, leaving only small (or no) opening for the air to flow through.

I remember that some cars and trucks from 70's had curtains in front of the radiators, so they could reach operating temperature faster especially in below 0degC.

I'm going to cover radiator grill on our new Tig for running in period since it's cold in the morning and it takes forever to warm up the engine.

[G-rig]

If you do only short trips you could cover radiator grill up, leaving only small (or no) opening for the air to flow through.

I remember that some cars and trucks from 70's had curtains in front of the radiators, so they could reach operating temperature faster especially in below 0degC.

I'm going to cover radiator grill on our new Tig for running in period since it's cold in the morning and it takes forever to warm up the engine.

..or just don't thrash it when it's cold till it warms up (ie keep the revs under 3-4k rpm).

[prise]

I'm going to cover radiator grill on our new Tig for running in period since it's cold in the morning and it takes forever to warm up the engine.

Don't forget the engine bay needs some airflow around local hot spots but if you are doing short distances and driving gently it should be OK. How about not using the cabin heater

[craig_the_german]

Hey Cossor, I'm not sure that the 118TSI has an oil temp display in the MFD (can anyone confirm that?), so you may not be able to actually check what your temps are getting to. The temp display that is found in most cars these days, including the 'regular' Golfs is the water temp.

I have a 90TSI (with comfort pack and therefore the MFD) and it has oil temp.

[HPSOV]

For info I watched the temps on my drive home from work this morning. Car had been parked outside all night, I drove home at 6:30am when it was 10 degrees outside.
It took the water 7 minutes to settle on 90.
It took the oil 7 minutes to reach 50, 9 to reach 60, 11 to reach 70 and 13 to reach 80. The oil peaked at 84 on the 27 minute drive.

[hooba]

For info I watched the temps on my drive home from work this morning. Car had been parked outside all night, I drove home at 6:30am when it was 10 degrees outside.
It took the water 7 minutes to settle on 90.
It took the oil 7 minutes to reach 50, 9 to reach 60, 11 to reach 70 and 13 to reach 80. The oil peaked at 84 on the 27 minute drive.

This matches my experience of the R in that it operates in colder temp range than the GTI (around 5-10 degrees) and due to its heavy duty oil cooler set up the oil temperature drops far quicker when hot.

Sydney:

I did an easy drive through the Royal National Park (RNP) with 60-80kph zones to ensure all the parts get to know each other for the first 150km. Oil temp usually hovers around 96 degrees, indication not much load on the motor at all.

Second drive involves the freeway with higher speeds & high engine loads with a mountain climb up Macquarie Pass to Moss Vale & return to Sydney, either the same way or in a loop through Mittagong to Picton Road, doubling back onto Mount Ousley and just north of Wollongong (Princes Freeway) for the return journey to Sydney. Saw oil temps range from 91 degrees to 109 degrees on last drive from Sydney to Kangaroo Valley – Moss Vale.

Yesterday I did the RNP and Macquarie Pass run in the GTI to help the run in process and had a ball.

Going up Macquarie Pass and keeping to a 5000 rpm limit saw the oil temp go from 96 degrees to 105 degrees max - this was whilst having plenty of fun in the bends but sticking mainly to 3rd gear.

[AdamD]

This matches my experience of the R in that it operates in colder temp range than the GTI (around 5-10 degrees) and due to its heavy duty oil cooler set up the oil temperature drops far quicker when hot.

So, just out of interest - is an oil cooler upgrade for the GTI a worthwhile mod? Would it be difficult and/or costly to do? Would you go the Golf R cooler, or some other aftermarket equivalent? (Eg does APR offer one?)

[ravun]

To all the Watercooled users who live in Melbourne and purchased their vehicle from Philip in the ACT (also to the rest of you who know these roads better).

Which route did you go, via the Hume Hwy/Hume Fwy or via Monaro Hwy/Princes Hwy? Are there better alternatives/side roads (sealed is prefarable, do not want gravel/stone chips) which will better for breaking in the engine?

Just trying to plan out my preferred route. Any discussions and suggestions would be appreciated.

[Corey_R]

Actually - there some AWESOME roads in the Snowy Mountain area heading out via the Monaro Hwy. WhiteJames seems to have a good grasp of "driving roads" even in the ACT, so maybe he can help.

I remember I once exited Canberra heading south on the Monaro Hwy, then went across the Snowy Mountains over a beautiful road across the top of a dam and then some how still made my way through the North entry to Albury Wodonga. Unfortunately it is back in the day before GPS or google maps and I was literally just "driving in the general direction" of Melbourne, lol

[pologti18t]

Actually - there some AWESOME roads in the Snowy Mountain area heading out via the Monaro Hwy. WhiteJames seems to have a good grasp of "driving roads" even in the ACT, so maybe he can help.

I remember I once exited Canberra heading south on the Monaro Hwy, then went across the Snowy Mountains over a beautiful road across the top of a dam and then some how still made my way through the North entry to Albury Wodonga. Unfortunately it is back in the day before GPS or google maps and I was literally just "driving in the general direction" of Melbourne, lol

Some of these roads (teh ones that cut across the mtns off the Snowy Mtns Highway) will be (or could be!) shut during the snow season. Best to check on the National parks site.

If you just want to get back to Melbourne without using freeways then you go from Canberra to Cooma, then down the Monaro Hwy to Cann River. NOt the most challenging road but it isn't chockers full of traffic so you can set your own pace.

If you want some additional challenges then try heading for the coast at Bombala (signed to South Pambula or Eden I think)

BE WARNED: It's the ski season so the roads around the ski fields will be infested with highway patrol. I would also assume at least one mobile camera will be lurking around (probably at Bredbo, a 60km/h zone). In the Polo I can get away with an indicated 110 in a 100 zone without stirring the cops' attention.

[ravun]

I should be receiving my car November/December so no need to worry about snow season (assuming there is no great hollywood-like asteroid fallout causing an impact winter). So it is a while off, but nothing wrong with a bit of pre-planning

The highway driving is a bit of concern, but quieter roads where I can vary my speed easily would be great.

[hooba]

So, just out of interest - is an oil cooler upgrade for the GTI a worthwhile mod? Would it be difficult and/or costly to do? Would you go the Golf R cooler, or some other aftermarket equivalent? (Eg does APR offer one?)

I wouldn't bother unless you where getting into serious mods / HP.