Optimax Break In

[DJMcGoo]

Ok... boat is finally ready for the water. Merc tech at my dealer says to run it for two hours at different RPMs above 2500 and avoid WOT. He says start it and let it warm up then give it the gas. Manual says run it for an hour between 3000 and 4500 RPM varying the speed every couple of minutes and avoid WOT for more than 10 seconds followed by three hours at varying RPMs for no more than 10 minute RPM increments at a time -- doesn't mention WOT for 10 minutes during this phase. So, do I avoid WOT for the first four hours? Merc tech says if you don't do the break in properly, you'll be using twice the amount of oil the motor would normally use even after the break in period. I'm going to follow what the manual says but what about the whole WOT thing within the first four hours?

[ohiojmj]

Why not follow the manufacturer's recommendations?

How could a computer controlled oil injected motor use more oil?

[DJMcGoo]

Originally Posted by ohiojmj

Why not follow the manufacturer's recommendations?

How could a computer controlled oil injected motor use more oil?

It's all part of the programming apparently. Once break in has been achieved, oil consumption returns to normal.

[yarcraft91]

Ask enough different people and you'll get twenty different recommendations for break-in procedures. Follow the break-in procedure in the owners manual. Mercury provides the warranty coverage. Do it their way. Some WOT operation during the first few hours is permitted in that procedure and is beneficial.

[ohiojmj]

I was referring to your comment that the oil consumption would be higher than normal forever after a bad break in. This did not sound logical.

[DJMcGoo]

Originally Posted by ohiojmj

I was referring to your comment that the oil consumption would be higher than normal forever after a bad break in. This did not sound logical.

The Merc tech at my dealer said he had some new boats that should have been out of their break in program still using oil at twice the rate. When they looked into it, the motor's computer still thought it was in break in mode because the operator had not followed the break in procedure. It's that whole 'Big Brother is Watching' thing -- and indeed he is. I'll just follow the manual's recommendations.