TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Nov 04, 2016 11:41 am

Are there any definitive markings on the base of Mahle cylinders that will ensure they were made in Brazil versus China?

Fri Nov 04, 2016 3:39 pm

I can't get my photos to load, but my Brazil Mahle cylinders have numbers near the base where the last fin is flattened out eg. C-70LX2.

The Chinese Mahle cylinders have a smaller flattened section that is blank. Other brands such as AA have their logo on this small finless section.

Fri Nov 04, 2016 11:24 pm

My understanding is that the cylinder production went to China around 2008-2009. The cylinders I am looking at have markings at the base. One of them is 28 08. Alone on the top. Does that denote they were produced in 08? My other Mahles if I am not mistaken had engravings....not etches....or what appear to be. I am not trusting anything Chinese no matter how far AA has come. I have all NOS German bearings and NOS Johnsons lifters. Heads are gonna be by Len. This is for a bone stock type 4. I realize I may have posted this in the correct spot because few people on the Bus forum have any clue about how important the combination is. That being said I wanted to get the gurus insight on this forum first as I know Clatter and Piledriver are here.

Sat Nov 05, 2016 6:13 pm

Here's one of my Brazil Mahle cylinders next to a new China Mahle cylinder (that I haven't used yet, since I only needed the pistons from the kit...to cut valve reliefs when I switched to a higher lift camshaft):

Sat Nov 05, 2016 7:36 pm

other than slight diferance in finnage and the china cylinders needing a chamfer on the jagged top..does one realy last longer than the other or stay straighter seal better?

Sat Nov 05, 2016 11:21 pm

Thank you so much for that pic. The pic the seller sent me is the same as your Chinese one. And they were adamant that the cylinders were Brazilian. Your pic reinforces my suspicions. The Brazil ones are engraved not etched. And the bases below the fins are different. Now I just need to find a set of Mahle Brazil P&C's for a 2.0 stock engine. If anyone has a set they want to sell let me know. Thank you for your help!

Sun Nov 06, 2016 6:39 am

Left is Brazilian. Right screams Chinese. :D

I hate Chinese cylinders and things. But I love Chinese food.

Sun Nov 06, 2016 10:40 am

Hard to say.

I have no pictures to offer....but...I deal with a a few automotive parts manufacturers. If they are not already using laser etched markings...they are all going to it as fast as they can...here...China...Brazil...Mexico..everyone.

A. they don't have to have engraved markings in mold sectors. Its a wear point and a weak spot. Those molds have to be reworked frequently to keep part markings legible.

B. They can put a lot more data into the parts markings with the laser....shift, build date code, alloy, QC inspector ...even UPC codes so the parts are scannable on the line.
I just helped add this feature...a scannable QR code into the head gasket manufacturing process for a major OEM and aftermarket parts company.

C. They can also run variable data and variable logos....so if they are making the same part to sell to or through various manufacturers (private label)....its simple to do.

So for the moment....this "may" be a useful way to tell where a part is made....very soon it will not be. Ray

Sun Nov 06, 2016 1:59 pm

I think my 94's from 2004 were etched.

Sun Nov 06, 2016 7:39 pm

Hoody wrote: Thank you so much for that pic. The pic the seller sent me is the same as your Chinese one. And they were adamant that the cylinders were Brazilian.

Part of the confusion arises because the Mahle P/C box is labelled in Portuguese, and indicates Brazil as the country of origin.

It appears that the forged aluminum pistons are still made in Brazil, but the cylinders are Chinese and then packaged together with the pistons in their distribution centre in Brazil. The China cylinders are in a box labelled 2012 (I got them from Rimco), whereas my previous kit was from 2007.