Break in period

Patrick Throndsen said:

How do you break in the engine the best way? The owners manual says to not apply more than1/2 to 3/4 of throttle for the first 5 hours. But the dealer said very slow the first hour, the second hour you can just get it to plane for a few seconds. In the third you can apply 1/2 throttle and in the fourth 3/4 throttle. Fifth hour you can apply full throttle in short periods. He also said to not accelerate quick, but gradually.

I just finished the third hour and have follwed all his insructions, but why does the manual say 1/2 to 3/4 throttle and the dealer something else?

Does it hurt the engine if it's not propely broke in/ less effect or just shorter engine life?

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Machine tolerances of todays modern engines means easy break in, any 4 stroke gas engine should have lots of varied throttle speeds, no excessive idle or wide open throttle, after the initial hour or so, brief full throttle acceleration (from cruise NOT idle)followed by closing the throttle back to idle will help seal the piston rings. Every time you start a new day, be sure the fluids are full. Overheating is always bad as is lack of lubrication. Know what the "dashboard" indicators mean and pay atentiaon. If your very anal, "halving" the first oil and filtyer change (In this case 50~ hours) is a popular way of helping along the process.

Following the manufacturer recommendations per owners manual is ALWAYS the best way to assure proper operation and long life!:nerd:
Read the mmanual before riding then take the manual out again and go over it, while at the machine BEFORE starting the first time. Most of all, after that first ride of familiarity and very initial break in, verify all is well then just go and have fun!

From another forum : YES.....there is a computer controlled break in period that retards timing and increases fuel flow for the first 5 hours. After that the timing and fuel flow are returned to normal during the next five hours. It is COMPLETELY automatic, the dealer does nothing to alter or improve break-in during or after 10 hours. The RECOMMENDED 10 hour service is NOT mandatory to maintain warranty nor will it help or hurt the eventual performance of the engine.

Here are the facts regarding the automatic break-in feature of the 215 HP BVIC engine (supercharged intercooled) according to the Seadoo 2005 Technical Update book given to all Seadoo jet boat and pwc dealers each year. The timing is retarded 6 degrees and there is 5% more fuel, that happens during the first 2 hours. During the next 2 to 5 hours the engine returns to normal settings. Total break in should happen within the first 5 to 7 hours. The break-in ONLY APPLIES TO THE SCIC type engine. The 185 HP and 155 HP engines DO NOT have any computer generated procedures. Also remember that you still have to handle the break-in RPM yourself, i.e. varying RPM and not staying at any given RPM for more than 20 or 30 seconds until after the first couple of tanks of fuel. Also, again ONLY for SCIC engines, remember that the spark knock sensor will retard timing depending upon the fuel used. Premium is the best way to go.