Where to Find the Engine Number on a Santana?

[Pam]

The engine number on a Santana can be found in two locations: 1. On the plastic cover of the engine timing guard; 2. Above the interface between the engine and the transmission. Taking the 2021 Santana as an example, it is a compact car with the following dimensions: length 4475mm, width 1706mm, height 1469mm, and a wheelbase of 2603mm. The 2021 Santana features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a compound torsion beam rear suspension. It is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum horsepower of 112PS, a maximum power of 82kW, and a maximum torque of 145Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

[McRichard]

Last time I helped a friend locate the Santana engine number, it was quite a hassle. On classic models, it's usually on the left rear side of the engine near the firewall—you'll need to lean over the front end with a flashlight to carefully inspect the metal block, as those raised digits and letters are easily obscured by oil sludge. For newer Santana models with the EA211 engine, the number is hidden beneath the intake manifold, requiring removal of the plastic cover to reveal the stamped code. A word of caution: never spray carburetor cleaner aggressively—I've seen cases where the numbers got corroded and blurred, leading to rejection by the DMV. If you can't find it, check the lower left corner of the windshield on the dashboard; the VIN sticker there often includes the engine number as a backup reference.

[OLilliana]

Finding this thing depends on the car model and year. I once encountered a 2009 Santana owner who spent half an hour searching under the hood, only to discover the stamped number was located above the engine and transmission connection point. Nowadays, newer models hide it even more cleverly—you'll need to remove the air filter box first, then use your phone's flashlight to photograph the number stamped on the angled surface of the engine block. If you're getting the car inspected and need to make a rubbing of the number, remember to bring wide tape and ink paste. Lightly heating the stamped area with a lighter before making the rubbing can yield a clearer result. If you still can't find it, I recommend checking the purchase invoice or the vehicle registration certificate (green book), as the engine number is registered on both.

[DelJustin]

As someone who has repaired hundreds of Santanas, let me tell you: the most reliable way is to look for the black raised nameplate on the left side of the engine block. For the old Santana, just squat near the left front wheel and you can feel the rough cast steel stamp with your hand. Note that after 2015, the location was changed to behind the exhaust manifold, so make sure to do this when the engine is cold to avoid burns. Last time, a car owner mistook the factory label near the oil dipstick for the engine number, and the DMV wouldn’t accept it. If you really need to inspect the engine number, bring WD-40 spray—it works wonders when the sludge is too thick. Just spray, wait three minutes, and scrub with an old toothbrush.

[Kaleb]

Just helped my neighbor with this last week. For the 2013 Santana, the engine number is located 5 cm below the oil filler port and requires a mirror to read clearly. Pay special attention to the depth of the 7-digit stamped code; if it's heavily worn, it's advisable to file for a record change in advance. The newer Santana models are even more troublesome—the VIN sticker on the plastic engine cover doesn’t count; you must take an imprint of the physical stamp on the engine block itself. Remember to bring a strong flashlight and use your phone to take photos. The VIN sticker on the windshield and the right B-pillar plate serve as secondary verification points. Avoid doing this when the engine is hot—the coolant pipes can reach temperatures up to 90°C.