I've heard somwhere that under the altenator there is a serial number stamp, which should match your vin number on the dash of the inside. Mine doesnt, mine says somthing like JA......... space 02-99. My vin is JH......... What does the 02-99 mean. I'm thinking this is when the motor was built. Also the serial number plate looks fairly new as well. Can anyone help? I havent called mazda to verify this so I have no clue. Does anybody????

 

Is the plate silver and blue? If so it isn't the original motor. The factory stamps the number in right near the engine lifting hook, take that number to the dealer along with your VIN and they'll tell you if it is the original.

If it has a silver and blue aluminum tag down by the a/c and PS pumps behind the black vacuum tank then it is a Mazda remanufactured engine.

Jeff

 

Yeah it's silver with a blue strip on top. It right behind the vaccum chamber. If it is a mazda remanufactured how come the owner did'nt tell me. Also, what does the 02-99 mean? any clues?

Hey turboJeff, were'nt you the one that was trailing a white 3gen on the first day of sevenstock on the 5 north in San Diego. I remember reading your post, and I was the first rx7 (red) you probably saw leading the way of 8 more. Good luck on your project man.

 

Yep it is a Mazda reman. That was me with the white 94 on the trailer heading to Sevenstock 5. I wouldn't have stopped by if I didn't catch up to your caravan.

Anyway, I've got a Mazda reman in the garage for that car right now. I just went out and checked, it has a date of 09/02 on it. I presume that is the date the motor was built since I got it a couple of weeks ago it makes sense.

Why the previous owner didn't tell you? I don't know, I can see many people not wanting to explain why the car needed a new motor. Figure many people think an engine should last 200K miles (Most all Japanese cars).

Later
Jeff