Cold weather break-in

[Dialed In]

So I have my engine assembled and hung on the plane, I have done all my ground runs and everything seems normal.  During the ground runs we were about 60 degrees outside and after the ground run we went through an annual. Now the weather has changed and we are 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit for a high and around 10 for a low.  I plan on following lycoming’s recommendations on breaking in an engine. My IA is fine with doing the break in when it’s chilly like this since the DA will be lower and the cooling will be better. I should mention he worked on aircraft in Alaska for a few years so he is familiar with the cold and breaking in engines.  I’m not worried about the cold starts as the engine and oil will be at 70 degrees.  I’m just curious what others opinions are on breaking in an engine when it’s cold outside. I’m well aware of ring flutter and cylinder cooling in the decent. Thanks,

 

-Chase

[Shadrach]

Cold, dense, air is good for break in. I have broken in cylinders at sub sea level DAs. It worked out well. Good oil control and temps inside of 5hrs.

[Brandt]

I’d just make sure I preheated the engine. 

[A64Pilot]

I think your better off, remember these things fly regularly at altitude with deep in the negative temps and at relatively low power output.

Breaking one in in Summer is hard on them