[tomkk]

... and found a (very) small amount of a pinkish liquid around the aft left corner of the base. I can't tell what the liquid is - it had a faint odor and a strange feel, kind of like antifreeze. Is it normal to to find something like this before the engine is out of the box?

 

[funflying]

My guess

Antifreeze?

 

[tomkk]

That's my guess. Just surprised to find it before I got it out of the box.

 

[Bill_H]

They test run the engine at the factory. Then they drain it. There will be some residual fluid and oil. Likely some antifreeze. During engine install you will remove and replace a hose or two that will drip - expect it.

 

[rvbuilder2002]

The engine gets test run at the factory before being shipped.
It is impossible to get every drop of coolant out when packing for shipping.
Because of all the bouncing / rocking around during shipping it is normal for a bit of the remaining coolant to get past the shipping plug at the water pump housing.

 

[tomkk]

OK, that makes sense. I also looked at it pretty closely when I got it out of the crate and couldn't find any evidence of any leak whatsoever.

 

[RFSchaller]

Why would this cause you concern?