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6.4L Break In
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 8:15 pm
by StubbleJumper
Hello guys, on Friday I took possession of my 2017 PW! However the dealer didn't go over much with it. Seemed I knew more then he did.
Just wondering how many kilometers (or miles) would you consider before it is broken in?
Also since I've picked it up, and perhaps its just me and my over analyzing ear, but it seems like it has either a very faint tick or exhaust leak. It does change tone when the eco light comes on. I have since ran the fuel that was in the tank and filled with premium, as thought maybe the dealer filled it with regular. Anyone else have something similar? Or am I going crazy?
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 8:30 pm
by olyelr
Change to Amsoil and the tick will go away for the most part.
As far as breaking in, meh... I just hooked up our travel trailer and took it on a trip to break mine in.
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:14 pm
by ramv
Gears should be 500-1000 miles of light to moderate load. After that, should be good to go.
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:26 pm
by Bill2014
General breaking procedures for Gas engine vehicles with auto transmissions...
Drive moderately for the first 300 miles - avoid high speeds. High speeds should be avoided partially because of the valve and ring seating issue, and partially because automatic transmissions need time to break-in properly as well.
Vary your engine speeds. Varied RPMs help valves and rings seat properly. If you don’t “exercise” the engine by working it thru a wide range of RPMs, you could reduce engine performance long-term.
Try to avoid towing for at least 500 miles. Towing puts a strain on your truck’s transmission and driveline, and it’s best to let those systems wear in a little before you put that kind of strain on the vehicle.
And then you can drive it like you stole it.

Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:28 pm
by LumberZach
I was told on my 2015 to do something like first 50 miles can't go over 55, and the next 50 can't go over 65 or something? I'd ha e to check but I fear I don't have that sheet anymore. After that it was all good.
My truck makes a ton of sounds that all kinds of people analyze as anything. Big truck, big tires, big parts just seems to make a lot of noise. Doesn't mean you don't have a tick or a leak, but I would worry about it unless you find more evidence.
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Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:45 pm
by StubbleJumper
Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.
Bill2014- For the first 200 km I drove home from the dealer, I varied it from 80-100 km/h. From there I started give it some gas and let it hit a little higher RPM's. Then for the the next couple hundred I've varied it from about 90-120 km/h. I was told to give it some WOT every so often. Haven't broken in many engines so just want to make sure I do it properly. Little disappointed there wasn't more info from the dealer. Same with a maintenance schedule too!
LumberZach- I am with you on that it is a big truck. She is just different as I drove my last Chevy 210,000km and knew her sound and when something wasn't right. Just getting my ears tuned for this one, and this little noise is just kind of bugging me. Same with when I start it up and its cold, a couple of funny rattles here and there that go away within 10 seconds, but just not use to it.
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 11:53 pm
by LagunaH1
My 6.4 always had a "tick", I will probably try using amsoil at next oil change. The "tick" I'm hearing is something I've heard in engine sound recordings of other guys' trucks
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Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 11:46 am
by rkgzx9leftcoast
Yeah, Amsoil is worth the money in my opinion, engine sounds smoother at idle now for sure!!
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:09 pm
by OffroadTreks
Yup, I just switched mine to Amsoil yesterday and the front and rear diff with it too.
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:21 pm
by NickTF
Depends on how you break it in for how many miles it takes. I recall back in my days knee deep in engine masters articles and talking to many who were wise that a motor should be broken in with high load low rpm situations as much as feasible. I also recall our owners manuals stating that you should apply significant use of the throttle and low rpm to break the motor in. The number one focus is seating the rings and nothing expands the rings against the cylinder walls as well as high load low rpm use. Expanding the rings to match any irregularities in the cylinder bore as quickly as possible is the overall goal. Motors (with roller camshafts) don't take long to break in at all if done in this manner, like less than a few minutes not long. As for the drive line parts lots of varied speed for a few hundred miles I believe. In fact, rather than speculate how about the exact language from our manual.....
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental
and should be avoided.
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 2:45 pm
by TwinStick
Nice looking truck !

Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 2:58 pm
by RustyPW
The worst thing to do to a new motor is to hold it at a steady rpm. Vary the speed. Your mpg will keep going up until you hit about 20,000 miles. Then it will level out.
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:06 pm
by StubbleJumper
Well I am trying my best to follow all these guidelines. In town I try to step on it and let it rev up a bit higher then I normally would. And if I am on the highway I try to change my speed every 15 minutes or so. The oil changes were part of the deal so I am with Mopar oil for a while.
Thanks everyone for the compliments!
Re: 6.4L Break In
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 9:37 pm
by Rodeoflyer
I wish someone would tell my truck the mpg is supposed to get better with mileage.
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