ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

After going through a rebuild vs. brand new dilemma, I decided to buy a brand new engine, thinking this will save me a lot of time and possible headaches. But now it looks like this will not be the case

I bought a brand new engine from Mazda and had it shipped to my importer in CA. Once the importer received the engine he told me there is oil on the engine. I contacted the Mazda dealer and they told me the oil is cosmoline - a waxy oily substance sprayed on the engine in Japan to prevent corrosion during
the boat ride here. Fair enough; it makes sense.....

So the engine left the importer/exporter this week to be shipped to Turkey but I got an email today saying the engine was leaking oil and UPS refused to ship it to Turkey and the importer has to hire a truck and pick it up from UPS warehouse. On top of that, they said the importer should have declared that the parcel contained flammable liquids and maybe he can get in trouble for not doing so.

Do brand new engine come with oil inside? If yes, how much oil do they generally contain? I don't think there will be a massive amount (enough to leak) if Mazda builders squirt some oil here and there during rebuild.

My second question is, considering there is oil in the engine, they'd have to flip it like a steak on bbq to have an oil leak. Will this damage the engine, pop out an apex seal, side seal etc.?

IRPerformance

iTrader: (41)

Mazda runs the engines for a brief time period, then drains the fluids. The waxy substance is normal as well as some oil residue left in the oil pan. The motor should ship in the mazda plastic crate so I don't see what they would complain about.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes the motor was shippend in a plastic crate. I don't think the problem is the waxy substance because I've been told that UPS said there is oil leaking from inside the engine. I think their issue is that it is a flammable liquid and they do not want to carry it in the plane.

Hypotethically speaking, if Mazda left quite a large amount of oil in the engine and if they flipped the motor on its side. Would some internal part pop out or any clearances affected etc.?

djseven

iTrader: (56)

No, you can flip the engine in any direction you want and nothing internally will be affected. Just explain to the importer it is a brand new engine, and like all new engines they are briefly tested before leaving the facility.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Thanks David, I emailed the importer and waiting for an update on the situation with UPS. I have my fingers crossed that this is just a simple misunderstanding and I get my engine asap. Main reason for choosing a new engine over a streetported rebuild was simplicity and time saving. It'll suck if I have to bring the engine by sea freight

Banzai-Racing

iTrader: (11)

Mazda engines have every opening taped up, there is no chance for oil to leak out. However the shipping containers are reusable and designed to have core engines returned in them. Chances are the oil is from the previous core engine that was returned to the reman facility.

Japan2LA

iTrader: (256)

Just pmed you..

If you need my help, LMK

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Afaik it's not a reman, I've been told it's a 100% brand new block.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

I think this explains what happened: A small amount of motor oil will be found in oil pan because the engine is test run in Japan before shipping. The only way it could leak is if the plug covering the oil level sensor hole came off. Even then, it would only leak if engine was laid on its side or upside down.

Banzai-Racing

iTrader: (11)

That does not mean the tote is new. Mazda has been reusing the same totes for 20 years.

There has not been any oil in any new or reman block I have ever recieved. They water pressure test the engines, that would be why there is a water pump & water temp sending unit. There are no oil system related parts, not even a oil level sending unit in the pan. Just tape over anything oil related.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Ok fair enough, thanks Banzai and all others for your help.

I am trying to organize the import company to re-cover the holes with some strong tape and emphasize the geniuses at UPS to keep the engine UPRIGHT! I don't even know how they managed to put it on it's side with that tray underneath.

The import company asked if they can block the holes with rags but I told them not to use anything but tape, incase something fell inside the engine.

Final option will be crating the engine and stretch filming the whole thing.

Banzai-Racing

iTrader: (11)

This would be why we told you that we always fully crate all of our international engine shipments, back when you were asking us about building you an engine.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Fully crating could've been a nice option but it is quite expensive. They say there is no fix for stupidity and in this case it's not the tray but the genius who put the engine on it's side. Anyone who puts this tray on it's side will put the crate on it's side and will end up with the same result.

Mazda ships these engines all the way from Japan to US with the tray in the pic. Then my engine travelled all the way from east US to west US, I don't know how many ships and trucks it took to get there. My guess is at least 6 trucks and a ship. If trays had high failure rate I'm sure Mazda could get a killer deal on crates. The pic was taken when it arrived in CA after a long journey and it looks pretty good.

Please do not misunderstand, I am not trying to be smart; I couldn't justify the cost of a full crate and still do not think it's that critical. Freight insurance would be much cheaper than the crate.......

Banzai-Racing

iTrader: (11)

If you say so....

Good luck with your project.