Where can the engine number be found?
2 Answers
The engine number is generally located on the outer surface of the engine cylinder block, on the vehicle's nameplate, or on the nameplate inside the engine compartment. The simplest and most direct method is to check the vehicle's administrative green book or the vehicle registration certificate. The engine number is like a person's ID number, representing each vehicle. It contains very important information about the vehicle. The chassis number is stamped on the vehicle's frame. The specific location varies by manufacturer, so you can refer to your vehicle's manual. The engine model is an identification code assigned by the engine manufacturer according to relevant regulations, industry practices, or the engine's attributes, representing the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, production process, purpose, and batch of the engine. This includes information such as fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power. Engines installed in cars or multi-purpose passenger vehicles are required to display the professional manufacturer's name, model, and production number. The chassis number, commonly referred to as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), is a set of characters assigned by the manufacturer to identify a vehicle. The VIN consists of 17 alphanumeric characters, also known as the 17-digit identification code, chassis number, or 17-digit number. The combination of these characters ensures that no two vehicles of the same model will have the same number within 30 years, making it unique to each vehicle—hence its nickname, "the car's ID card." It is typically found in the following locations: on the vehicle registration certificate and on the lower left side of the front windshield. It's important to note that the engine number is not the same as the engine model. The engine model refers to the specifications and size of the engine within the manufacturer's product line, and multiple engines can share the same model. The engine number, however, is the production number assigned to each individual engine, and no two engines will have the same number. The engine number is composed of several parts: Front section: Includes the product series code, generation symbol, and regional or company code, chosen by the manufacturer as needed but must be approved and recorded by the relevant industry standards organization. Middle section: Consists of symbols for the number of cylinders, cylinder arrangement, stroke, and cylinder diameter. Rear section: Includes symbols for structural features and intended use. Tail section: Distinguishing symbol. If differentiation is needed due to improvements or other reasons within the same product series, the manufacturer selects an appropriate symbol. The rear and tail sections may be separated by a hyphen. The chassis number consists of 17 characters divided into three parts. Part 1: WMI—World Manufacturer Identifier (positions 1–3); Part 2: VDS—Vehicle Descriptor Section (positions 4–9); Part 3: VIS—Vehicle Identifier Section (positions 10–17).
I've been driving for over a decade, and finding the engine number is quite common. Usually, after opening the hood, you can directly look at the engine block, where the number is engraved on the metal surface of the cylinder block. The location may vary depending on the car model. For example, my old Japanese car had the engine number on the top of the cylinder block, and it was easy to see after a quick dust wipe. If there's a lot of grease, just use a clean cloth with some cleaner to wipe it off. Don't forget, the vehicle registration certificate and the owner's manual also have records of it, so you can cross-check. If you can't find it, don't worry—just take it to a repair shop, and the mechanics can help. They have tools to make it visible. The engine number is very important for buying or selling cars, insurance claims, or repairs. Regularly checking and keeping the engine bay clean makes the number easy to read and helps with maintenance. In short, learning this can save you a lot of trouble.
