Breaking in a Stihl 500i, any tips?

I actually looked through the manual (yeah I know), I didn't immediately see anything about a break in procedure. I picked one up Friday night at a lawncare event. I also grabbed a 32" light bar.

Any tips on break-in for a newbie to the fuel injection model?

BTW: Shawn and Savanah at Spencer's Lawn Care are a couple of enablers. Lol. Shawn let me try his out a few months ago and one cut was all it took..I was hooked.

 

I never bothered with any kind of break in with my saws.... I always just dump some gas in and make sawdust, as if it wasn't new.
My saws seem to last as long as anybody else's, so I figure it's okay.
However, there's probably lots of other opinions out there.
BTW, that's a nice shiny saw you've got there!

 

I don't do a whole lot different. First start, let it idle to warm a good bit, then a couple pizz revs to clear out any excessive mix/oil and shut it off too cool. Then next start, let it idle to warm and off to the races. I don't go wide open for long periods right away. And I only do that for a new saw or a fresh rebuild (either new rings, new piston and rings, complete top end etc).


Congrats on the new saw!

 

I don’t do any easy break in process. Same as any saw I’m using. let it warm up a minute, blip the throttle until it has crisp response and cut.

 

I just can't bring myself to go flog on a new engine...not saying it needs to be treated with kid gloves, but also not "run like its stolen" either.
I wonder what the saw builders suggest after a rebuild? huskihl ?
I thought I recalled there being some procedure for the first few tanks through the "i" saws though...

 

Fuel it up and run it like you normally would. No break in procedure necessary.

 

I was always slow to start a rebuilt engine. One of the old cranky guys that said little ever once told me to “let her eat, it’s either good or not and catfooting around isn’t going to make it better if its not.” Lol

I’m a firm believer of “going easy at first”.

 

Me personally , just a mild break in.
Would start it and let it build some heat ; run the chain a few times to settle it in and check oiling. Shut it down and check chain tension.
All looks good make a few easy cuts , shut down again and let cool.
Make a few more cuts; shut down and step back and admire the new toy.
Refuel and send it!

 

Looks like a very nice clean store!
That says a lot right there.

 

I let them warm up plenty at idle. Maybe tune a hair rich for a few tanks

 

Mine got broken in this spring…… trade????

 

Painful to look at.
Having flashbacks from your posting after the tragedy.

 

Cut as much wood as you can with a full tank of mix. Repeat often and hold on for the ride!
It is a fun saw to run! Run it with a 20" bar and its even more fun.
Be sure to post lots of pics and give us your feedback.
Congrats on the early Christmas.

BTW: i think Shawn is a tad young to use a 500...just saying.

 

Imagine if Giant Joke looked like that? I wouldnt recognize the place.

 

Dinosaur's will be back before they get that place straightened out,

 

LOL!!! Hopefully they wont let a velociraptor run through it again

 

Ouch!

 

I try to avoid long hard cuts right away and always let it warm up a little.

 

Shawn is an awesome dude. I've only known him for a few months, but he, and Savanah, are some of most down to earth people you're going to find. Here is a cool moment from the Spencer Pro Event yesterday
Green Industry Podcast

 

Run the first several tanks at 40:1 or better, let it warm up and run it like you stole it, its injected, you cannot tune it.