Breaking in New old 4cyl.

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Just bought a 1990 Japanese 4x4 4cyl with 100k on the od. Have no idea of the history but was wondering what you thought the best way to break it as far as what oil to use. No drips but lower engine is oily/dirty. My idea is to flush it with cheap oil for 500 mi and then put in a good 10w30.
 
What's causing the oiliness? If it's the valve cover, replace the gasket. Take a peak inside valve-train and determine if there is any reason for concern (e.g., sludge.) if not, then run whatever oil you'd like and just drive it.

I'd also replace the differential oil and ATF/MTF, as applicable, as well as the brake fluid and coolant.

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No such thing as breaking in a broken-in engine. Did you check compression and leak-down prior to purchase? What were the results?
 
Originally Posted By: junksta
Just bought a 1990 Japanese 4x4 4cyl with 100k on the od. Have no idea of the history but was wondering what you thought the best way to break it as far as what oil to use. No drips but lower engine is oily/dirty. My idea is to flush it with cheap oil for 500 mi and then put in a good 10w30.


A cheap oil to use for a flush is SuperTech from Wal-Mart, may want to do two 500 mile flushes. Then use a high quality name brand oil for 1000 miles to flush out the SuperTech. Then you are good to go for what OCI you choose. Change filter after every flush too.
 
Originally Posted By: junksta
Just bought a 1990 Japanese 4x4 4cyl with 100k on the od. Have no idea of the history but was wondering what you thought the best way to break it as far as what oil to use.


Best way to break it is leave the oil out, j/k.
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Look in the oil fill cap with a good flashlight. If it looks pretty clean then no need for a flush. Just use a good oil and do regular OCIs.
 
Never heard of a 1990 Japanese 4x4, I went to RockAuto to search for makes and models and it goes straight from Jaguar to Jeep with no "Japanese" between them.
 
In the '90's the Japanese made a AWD version of nearly every sedan they made...and then there are all the real 4X4's, most were 4 cyl.
 
That is a great car, any oil will do.
As suggested above, check why it is oily.

Also, your issue may be the fuel line since the lines are not made for Gasoline with Ethanol back then.
Of course, it depends on why the car only have such a low miles.
Sometimes, when a car is not driven regularly, the seals are all bad and that may cause the "oily" seen.
Most of the time, it is solved by driving it a lot and see which ones still need fixing after that.
 
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No need for all this flushing with cheap oil... What is that supposed to do? Accelerate wear for a short time ... Just put in good oil and a decent filter and drive it. Fix the leaks. 100,000 might be a candidate for a High Mileage (HM) oil.

At that mileage, it needs a major service. Change all the fluids. Tranny, diff's, brake fluid, etc. Remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, look over the brakes. FIX the leaks and lube the door hinges. Then just drive it
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This is the 1990 Japanese vehicle. Done everything mentioned here, runs great.
 
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