170i Break-In Question

[vdeschamps]

I left work tonight with an odometer reading 199 miles. Five minutes later, I stop at a gas station, fill up the tank, start the scooter. I noticed the engine sounded different, and I realized the odometer went to 200 miles. From the gas station to my home, I rode an additional 30 minutes.

The scooter felt as if it gained an additional 50cc and was accelerating and feeling much more powerful.

Is there something about the first 200 miles break-in that involves that something ACTUALLY change in the engine?

I know it's a stupid question but I was blown away by the performance of the Buddy 170i, which was an already great-performing scooter.

[TVB]

I'd be inclined to "blame" the new gas for the apparent improvement in performance.

[vdeschamps]

I'd be inclined to "blame" the new gas for the apparent improvement in performance.

But I pumped gas at the same gas station before and I didn't get this improvement in performance...

[TroutBum]

You may have gotten a bad batch of gas in your previous fill.

[vdeschamps]

You may have gotten a bad batch of gas in your previous fill.

I would have had three bad fills before? Is that possible?

[TVB]

I would have had three bad fills before? Is that possible?

If they were all at the same station, drawing from the same delivery? Certainly possible.

[vdeschamps]

I would have had three bad fills before? Is that possible?

If they were all at the same station, drawing from the same delivery? Certainly possible.

Today's was the second time at this gas station. Otherwise I went to a total of three different gas stations.

[ericalm]

Is there something about the first 200 miles break-in that involves that something ACTUALLY change in the engine?

Yes! But that's almost guaranteed not to be what you're experiencing!

Break in is mostly about proper seating of the piston rings and ensuring that the piston and cylinder are properly lubricated and have a long, healthy life. You will see performance and MPGs increase over the first 1200 miles or so.

A sudden increase like this is kind of unusual and certainly not related to break in. It could be gas. Could be an airflow problem that worked itself out. Could be quite a few things, even a drop in temperature. (My performance is great between 50°–60°!) But whatever it is, the mileage rolling over at the same time is almost certainly just a coincidence.

This could be your first tank of the fall blend gas. Summer gas contains a number of additives (often ethanol or MBTE) aimed to reduce ozone.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_ ... d_gas.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/ne ... e-13747431

[dkw12002]

I've broke in several new bikes and when I notice the biggest change is after the first oil change usually. The bike just runs smoother and faster. By 200 miles, if you do a hard break-in the rings are pretty much seated and the bike is nearly broken in. Not so much if you go by the book, they say. Brakes, tires, clutch (if you have one) also work better about that time.

[vdeschamps]

Is there something about the first 200 miles break-in that involves that something ACTUALLY change in the engine?

Yes! But that's almost guaranteed not to be what you're experiencing!

Break in is mostly about proper seating of the piston rings and ensuring that the piston and cylinder are properly lubricated and have a long, healthy life. You will see performance and MPGs increase over the first 1200 miles or so.

A sudden increase like this is kind of unusual and certainly not related to break in. It could be gas. Could be an airflow problem that worked itself out. Could be quite a few things, even a drop in temperature. (My performance is great between 50°–60°!) But whatever it is, the mileage rolling over at the same time is almost certainly just a coincidence.

This could be your first tank of the fall blend gas. Summer gas contains a number of additives (often ethanol or MBTE) aimed to reduce ozone.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_ ... d_gas.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/ne ... e-13747431

This is very helpful, thank you very much. I put another tank of gas from another gas station and the scooter still acts the same

[skully93]

well, as long as the performance rocks!

The small engines are kind of weird. Sometimes, when mine is really cold, of course it bogs a hair. then it will warm up all of 5 degrees, and it feels like it wants to race, and runs smooth as butter.

After the first couple of services, you'll have max performance out of it. I noticed at about 3k miles it really opened up, and has been that way ever since.

[vdeschamps]

well, as long as the performance rocks!

The small engines are kind of weird. Sometimes, when mine is really cold, of course it bogs a hair. then it will warm up all of 5 degrees, and it feels like it wants to race, and runs smooth as butter.

After the first couple of services, you'll have max performance out of it. I noticed at about 3k miles it really opened up, and has been that way ever since.

The scooter definitely performs better and I can't wait to see what's going to happen with an extra 500 miles.

My dealer told me that the first oil change should be done at 600 miles while I read on other forums and on my owner manual that it should be done at 200. What do you guys recommend?

[OldGuy]

I would change oil at both 200 and 600. The 200 miler will get rid of very small metal bits that you don't want in there. These its are from the machining and break-in process, as the parts nestle into each other.

The 600 mile change is also good early insurance. The scooter gets fresh oil, plus a check-up. They may change the gearbox oil at this time too; I'm not sure about your model.

[vdeschamps]

I would change oil at both 200 and 600. The 200 miler will get rid of very small metal bits that you don't want in there. These its are from the machining and break-in process, as the parts nestle into each other.

The 600 mile change is also good early insurance. The scooter gets fresh oil, plus a check-up. They may change the gearbox oil at this time too; I'm not sure about your model.

I watched videos on how to change the oil and the oil filter on a Buddy 125 which seems as easy as doing it on a motorcycle (which I had before). Though, I couldn't locate the oil filter on the Buddy 170i.

I also read about changing oil in TWO different places. What is that about? Or is that something I should not worry about since I have a 4T electronically fuel injected scoot?

[NeoGenesisMax]

It may not have a filter like you'd expect. My scoot just has a metal screen.

[vdeschamps]

It may not have a filter like you'd expect. My scoot just has a metal screen.

That's good to know although very surprising

[skipper20]

It may not have a filter like you'd expect. My scoot just has a metal screen.

That's good to know although very surprising

What's surprising is that you don't know that you have an oil filter. Look down and under the bike's floorboard. That plainly visible spin-on cartridge is your oil filter and the fins next to it is your oil cooler. I'm assuming you didn't get a owner's manual with your purchase as it's all spelled out very nicely in the manual.

Bill in Seattle
'12 170i Italia
'11 220i Blur
'08 250ie Sport City

[vdeschamps]

It may not have a filter like you'd expect. My scoot just has a metal screen.

That's good to know although very surprising

What's surprising is that you don't know that you have an oil filter. Look down and under the bike's floorboard. That plainly visible spin-on cartridge is your oil filter and the fins next to it is your oil cooler. I'm assuming you didn't get a owner's manual with your purchase as it's all spelled out very nicely in the manual.

Bill in Seattle
'12 170i Italia
'11 220i Blur
'08 250ie Sport City

I didn't actually say there is no oil filter. I did get a manual so all the same goes to me.