Where to Find the Engine Number?
3 Answers
The engine number is generally located on the outer surface of the engine block, or on the vehicle's nameplate or the nameplate inside the engine compartment. The simplest and most direct method is to check the vehicle's administrative green book or the vehicle's registration certificate. The engine number, like a person's ID number, represents each vehicle and contains crucial information about the vehicle. Engine model is an identification code assigned by the engine manufacturer in accordance with relevant regulations, corporate or industry practices, and the attributes of the engine, for a batch of identical products. It indicates information such as the manufacturer, specifications, performance, characteristics, technology, purpose, and production batch of the engine, including fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose passenger vehicles must be marked with the professional manufacturer, model, and production number as required. It is 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 engine models can be the same. The engine number, however, refers to the production number of the engine, where each engine has a unique number that cannot be duplicated. Composition of the Vehicle Engine Number: Front Part: Includes product series code, generation symbol, and regional or corporate code. Manufacturers can choose the corresponding letters as needed, but they must be approved and recorded by the industry standard regulatory body. Middle Part: Consists of symbols for the number of cylinders, cylinder arrangement type, stroke, and cylinder diameter. Rear Part: Composed of symbols for structural features and usage characteristics. Tail Part: Distinguishing symbol. When differentiation is needed due to improvements or other reasons within the same product series, manufacturers can choose appropriate symbols to indicate this. The rear and tail parts can be separated by a hyphen (-).
Oh, I often help people find the engine number. Actually, it's located on your car's engine, most commonly under the hood, on the side or front of the engine block. The exact position may vary depending on the car model. Some cars have it in a more noticeable spot, like Volkswagen models near the lower right corner of the windshield, but generally, after opening the engine compartment, you'll see a nameplate or an engraved metal part. If you can't find it, try wiping off the dust with a towel, as it can get covered with grease over time. By the way, don't confuse it with the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The engine number is mainly used to identify the engine itself and must be checked during transfer or repair, otherwise the paperwork won't go through. I've experienced this myself—spent half a day searching because I couldn't find the right one. I suggest taking a quick look during routine maintenance to avoid last-minute panic. Also, the location might differ for cars of different years; older cars might have it more hidden, while newer models usually make it more accessible.
I'm in this field and know that the engine number is usually fixed on the engine block. Open the hood, and you'll find it on the engine block, commonly located at the front or on the right side. Sometimes you need to crouch down to see it. If there's dirt on the surface, clean it to reveal the engraved numbers clearly. The location is designed this way to allow mechanics to quickly identify it while avoiding vibration damage. Don't underestimate this number—it's crucial for vehicle registration and insurance claims. I've handled many cases where owners overlooked this detail, causing delays in ownership transfers. I recommend checking it every six months to ensure there's no oxidation or fading. Additionally, in new vehicles like electric cars, the engine number might be integrated into the electronic control unit, but it remains largely unchanged in traditional fuel-powered cars. If you can't find it, refer to the user manual or the last few digits of the VIN, but it's best to check the physical part directly. Regular maintenance can prevent these hassles.
