Break-in during the winter

[talonxracer]

How do you guys go about breaking in a motor when the water is solid? Or do you just wait for warm weather?

Doug

 

[Mark Poole ModVP]

The engine is best broke in when it is under load and up to a good temp. Several people on here have said that they wear engines in on a drill press and others say not to do that. You can rotate the powerhead over by hand many times (with the plug out) while keeping it flushed with plenty of WD-40. This just helps reduce the initial stress on the rod when the engine is started for the first time. When your pond thaws it will still be very cold and you will probably need to restrict the water to the head or else it will run cold. That is not good during break in.