Hello everyone. I have a 2000 turbo project Accord that I blew up during 2020 (more specifically cracked a cylinder wall). I bought a new block, had it machined to the same orginally specs, bought new pistons and got the engine back in the car about two years later. I used assembly lube during the rebuild process and am mere hours of work away from starting it up. I plan to syphon the old gas out of the tank, clean the fuel filter/pump/pick up screen and putting fresh 93 in it before the initial startup. I also plan to prime the motor with plenty of oil before initial startup as well. Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do before startup other than the obvious to have a successful startup considering it's been a good 5 years since the car has run? I need to order a new throttle body because the old one had a cracked vacuum nipple. Once that's on, and some new spark plugs, fluids, etc, she should be ready to go. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!

 

When you prime it remove the spark plugs and ecu fuse first then crank it until it has oil pressure or until your oil light goes off in the cluster if you don't have a gauge.

 

Okay thank you. I think I had read just unplug the wires from the plugs, but you're saying remove them completely? And okay on the ECU fuse. I hadn't heard that one. I do have an oil pressure gauge inside, but I will monitor that and the dash light as well.

 

Removing the plugs takes away any compression so you don't have to worry about any load on the bearings while you're priming it. Since it sounds like it's a brand new engine that's been sitting for awhile, that's your best bet to avoid any potential issues. Though I would recommend it for any first start.

Removing the ECU fuse keeps you from flooding the engine with fuel while priming and potentially washing the oil out of the cylinder walls. Alternatively you can just unplug the injectors but generally removing the fuse is easier.

The first start up and break in period are absolutely critical for engine health and longevity. Source: ~15 years building engines.

 

I appreciate it so much. When I first built the engine (myself) I had the car transported to my tuner where he handled the initial startup and subsequent tuning. Everything you said makes sense, so I appreciate you. After initial startup I plan to let the car idle for a period of 20 minutes or so while checking for leaks and others issues, then plan to drain the oil, refill it and then drive it for 20-30 miles around 30-40 mph, slowly going through the gears without breaking 3K rpms and letting the car slow down on its own. I plan to use Lucas SAE-30 Break-In oil which I already have. Any other advice?

 

Sounds like you pretty much have it covered otherwise. Good luck.

 

Once you get the motor running, check your brake components and brake fluid. Stopping the car is just as important as getting it running right.

 

Make sure that Lucas oil is non detergent so it will keep metal particles suspended and drain them out with the oil.