Hi! My engine went kaput on my 2012 cx9 before xmas so my husband bought one off ebay from a reputable shop in Chicago(we are in san diego). We gave it and the car to a mechanic and he called to say that it was missing the oil cooler and instead had something possibly called an oil filter adapter or housing but it's actually missing that part as well. It's a big hassle to ship the engine back to Chicago for a refund so we are trying to just make it work. Anybody recognize this part in the picture and know where we could get one? The shop is willing to pay for it since it was their mistake but we can't seem to find it anywhere on the internet. We have even spoken to our local Mazda dealer but they said they had no idea what that part was and it must be a Japanese version of the engine.
thanks in advance!

 

The white cup is the oil filter, the oil is cooled by the water pump which pumps radiator fluid in and out of radiator. Your mechanic is pulling your leg it seems.

now there is a oil pump directly above the oil filter and inside of that engine. Is the oil pump what is actually missing from your replacement.
At this point I would purchase a cheap non working engine from the junk yard and swap the oil pumps

 

Turns out the engine they sold us was a different version and it was a Ford engine and was missing that part. We were able to find it on ebay and the company that sold the engine to us paid for it ans the engine ia now in the car and works but now the transmission is acting funny which the mechanic didn't touch so on to the next mystery!

 

Ebay sellers and other (more specifically for parts) that are not using a brick-and-mortar business. First verify that they have authorization to sell a name brand product. Not doing so it is unlikely should a problem arise that you will get a warranty coverage directly from the manufacture.
Always always always use the parts manufacture (direct parts look up and or cross over ) to confirm the correct part number and if you are cross referencing even and OEM part number contact the parts company direct and have them look up their part number. Make sure to get names dates and times. NEVER use the GENERIC provided parts look up or "DOES THIS FIT YOUR VEHICLE " cataloging offered by online sites and sellers. Let me simply say that they are not updated and OFFTEN incorrect!

As for parts like complete engine and transmission always contact the vendor direct and give them the following.
Year
Model
VIN
Production date both month and year
Country of manufactured

Let them look up their cataloging information. When they state they have an engine BEFIORE you order ask for the engines part number then you do the EXTRA research and confirm that engine or transmission will cross reference into a OEM number. You may need to contact a dealership parts department and have them help you. Sound "desperate" or at least "extremely polite" because it is not easy work if your model is over 10 years old and from a business standpoint, they do don't have to do this for you.

When the engine or transmission arrives BEFORE you or the shop install it, the shop or mechanic or better YOU should meticulously compare your engine or transmission to the one that arrived from the vendor. This also includes that part number we just mentioned!
It is also a good idea to do a compression check on the engine before the installation as well. For transmission use a clear tube like an aquarium tubing and pull a sample of the oil from the transmission pans and examine it.. On both the engine and transmission MAKE SURE that the mounting areas are not damaged in anyway. This means chase the threaded holes where mounts will be attached and look carefully for any fractures in and around the mounting areas.

 

What does this mean? Maybe a better description of concern?

The mechanic did actually did "touch-it" (transmission) when the engine was installed. There are several things that might have happened during the installation of the new engine to the transmission.