What You Need To Know About Shipping An Engine

When shipping car parts, it is crucial to ensure the safety of both your items and the car parts courier.

You should know that engines must be packed and secured in a particular way for them to be accepted by your chosen pallet courier. 

If you are new to shipping an engine and need some expert advice to help set you on the right track, we are here to help you. 

Following our top tips and advice will help ensure your engine is accepted, avoid putting people at risk, and will also minimise the risk of your engine arriving damaged. 

Engines Must Be Properly Contained

Used engines will only be accepted for transport when contained within a suitable and sufficient crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame.

Engines presented on pallets alone will not be accepted for carriage.

The crate, stillage or transport frame must:

• Be suitable for the engine’s weight and dimensions
• Be strong enough to withstand normal handling and transportation
• Prevent the engine from moving during transit
• Be suitable for safe forklift handling
• Protect the engine and surrounding freight from damage

All Fluids Must be Drained

Before an engine can be transported, all engine oil, fuel and coolant must be completely removed.

Residual fluids can create contamination and safety risks during handling and transit, so allow sufficient time for any remaining liquid to escape after draining.

Once drained, clean excess oil, grease and debris from the outside of the engine.

All ports and openings should also be securely sealed using suitable threaded plugs, caps or other appropriate materials to help prevent leakage and protect the engine from dirt and water ingress.

Oil-absorbent pads, a drip tray or another suitable leak-containment measure should be incorporated within the crate, stillage or transport frame to capture any residual fluid.

Positioning the Engine

The engine must be housed within a robust crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame capable of safely supporting its weight.

Position the engine so that the complete shipment remains stable and suitable for forklift handling.

The engine must not be able to slide, shift or tip within the containment during handling or transportation. Where appropriate, timber blocks, secure mounting points or other engineered supports can be used to help maintain stability.

Protect Against Residual Leaks

Even after an engine has been fully drained, small amounts of residual fluid may remain.

Oil-absorbent pads, drip trays or another suitable leak-containment measure should therefore be incorporated within the crate, stillage or transport frame.

This helps protect handling equipment, other freight and the surrounding environment if any remaining fluid escapes during transit.

Secure the Engine Within Its Containment

The engine must be positively secured within its crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame so that it cannot move during handling or transit.

Depending on the design of the containment, suitable securing methods may include:

• Heavy-duty restraints
• Bolts or brackets
• Steel banding
• Secure mounting points
• Timber blocks
• Other suitable engineered securing arrangements

Rope, tape, stretch wrap and shrink wrap must not be used as the primary means of securing the engine.

The securing method must be suitable for the engine’s weight and dimensions and capable of withstanding normal handling throughout the network.

Protect Vulnerable Components

Before collection, protect vulnerable or exposed components such as sensors, wiring looms, pulleys, turbo inlets and other delicate parts.

Suitable protective materials can be used to reduce the risk of damage during handling and transportation.

Stretch wrap or shrink wrap may be used as additional protective packaging where appropriate, but it must not be relied upon as the primary method of securing the engine.

Final Checks Before Collection

Before booking your engine delivery, make sure:

• All engine oil, fuel and coolant have been completely drained
• The engine is clean externally
• All ports and openings are securely sealed
• Vulnerable components are suitably protected
• The engine is contained within a suitable crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame
• The containment is appropriate for the engine’s weight and dimensions
• The engine cannot move, slide or tip within the containment
• Suitable restraints, bolts, brackets, steel banding or engineered securing methods have been used
• Suitable leak-containment measures are in place
• The complete shipment is stable and suitable for safe forklift handling

Additional markings such as “This Way Up”, “Heavy”, “Fragile” or “Engine – Keep Upright” are not mandatory, but may assist with safe handling throughout the network.

Important: Engines that do not meet these packaging and securing requirements may be refused for collection, rejected at the depot or held until corrective action has been taken.

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