Determine engine number by fault

Basic methods

The logical question is how to find out the engine model of a vehicle.

There are several main ways:

1. Open the hood and look at the information directly on the engine.

All you need to do is write down the engine number and enter it into a search engine.

A few seconds and all the necessary information about the power unit is in front of your eyes. In practice, seeing anything on the engine is a difficult task.

2. Second option.

Data on the plate located on the left side of the vehicle unit.

Here, by the first character you can find out the year of manufacture (indicated as a letter), the next four digits are the modification of the motor, and the last character is the climate version.

To decipher the code, you can use the relevant literature or visit specialized resources.

3. By VIN code - the individual number of the car.

The only thing is that it is not always possible to recognize the necessary information right away, so you have to use a special reference book.

Another option is to use special online services to decrypt VIN.

As an example for Citroen cars.

We will start with the third method, since they try to use it most often to determine the engine model, although it does not always help.

You need to understand that each car has its own history, features and characteristics that are unique to it.

At the same time, the main parameters of the car can be found out by a special code written on the car - the VIN code.

Knowing this set of numbers, you can find out almost all the information about the car - production date, engine type and model (not always right away), number of owners, and so on.

Why know the engine model

Many people, when buying a car, do not think about what it actually is. We are talking about the filling or technical parameters. Of course, only specialists have a thorough understanding of cars, but it is advisable to know some basic facts, such as body and engine numbers. Knowledge of the latter may be required in the following cases:

1. If you need to look for an engine part, you need to know the brand of equipment.
2. Many devices have analogues; if you have an idea of ​​the model, it’s easier to choose something that suits other configurations
3. The better the car owner understands the configuration of his car, the less chance the service station employees have to deceive him when repairing and replacing spare parts and parts, and this will ultimately save money.

Knowing the engine modification is really important. The motorist must have a clear idea of ​​how to do this quickly and without outside help.

By finding out the engine model, you can save money on repairs, quickly select suitable spare parts and protect yourself from unplanned expenses based on the tricks of auto mechanics.

What is a VIN code and where can you find it on a car?

VIN code is a special identification number that combines digital or alphabetic designations.

The main goal is the ability to obtain information about the vehicle and clarify its history.

The assignment of such a code has long been an obligation for all manufacturers.

The standard VIN code is formed from 17 characters, which includes a group of components, namely VDS, WMI and VIS. In this case, the cipher consists not only of alphabetic, but also of digital symbols.

As for location, there are no clear rules. In the general format, the code should be located on the left side of the dashboard, under the windshield and on the driver's door.

Often the VIN code can be found on the floor near the passenger seat.

The method of application also differs. Thus, the most popular options are laser burning, embossing, and so on.

The height of the numbers and letters on the VIN badge for the body, frame and chassis must be at least seven millimeters.

The VIN code designations on the nameplate and other labels are at least four millimeters.

The code is written directly on the machine in one or two rows. The transfer must be carried out in such a way as not to violate the overall design of the cipher.

A special approach to the VIN code in car documents. Here the numbers must be reflected without spaces. The main requirements for digital symbols are readability and suitability for durable use.

In the case of placing the VIN code, there are several more features:

• in modern machines, the designations are indicated at the top of the panel. In this case, the numbers must be visible through the windshield;
• On cars made in the USA, the VIN code is often located on the top of the dashboard (on the left side of the driver). Possible duplication in other places of the car;
• for Fiat cars (for most models), the VIN code is written on the top of the wheel arch (on the right side). Exceptions include models such as Barcheta, Convertible and Punto, where the numbers can be found under the feet of the front seat passenger;
• standard places for the code - door sills, body pillars, cylinder block and its head, side members, partition between the passenger compartment and the power unit;
• You can find out the VIN code in the vehicle's title or registration certificate.

How can I find out the engine number and model by VIN code?

The absence or unreadability of numbers on the main units of motor vehicles or the absence/unreadability of a duplicate information plate leads to the impossibility of carrying out registration actions with the vehicle in the MREO.

Cars with damaged signs are sent for examination, during which the originality of the data presented is established.

To avoid problems with the examination, you must first check the specified unit numbers yourself. This can be done by knowing the VIN number of the vehicle.

A unique license plate number can be found:

• in the main documents of the car, such as the title and registration certificate;
• by car. VIN code plates can be located in different places, depending on the make and model of the vehicle;
• online, if you know vehicle registration plates (information can be obtained on the RSA website).

Next, you need to decipher the VIN number. You can do this in three ways:

1. Independently, using various decryption tables developed by world standards (number structure and encryption of manufacturer data) and by the manufacturer (vehicle data). Information about the engine model, body type, chassis, and so on is indicated in 4 to 7 characters.
2. In person or through an official representative (based on a notarized power of attorney), contact the traffic police with a request to decipher the VIN number. When applying, a written application is submitted, to which are attached documents confirming the right to receive information (car document) and documents that establish the identity of the applicant. Information with decoding of wines can be received by letter sent by mail or email. Application processing time is up to 14 days.
3. Online, using special decoding programs located on specialized websites (for example, Autocode) or websites of online stores that sell automobile spare parts (for example, Exist.ru).

So, the easiest and fastest way to obtain the necessary information about the engine is to decrypt the identification number online.

Anyone with virtually no understanding of modern technology can do all the work, since the presented diagram is quite simple:

• First of all, you need to go to the site where decryption will be performed. It should be remembered that some Internet resources, such as Autocode and Autobot, provide detailed information on VIN for a fee. The cost of one check can vary from 150 to 350 rubles. Unlike third-party Internet resources, on online store websites, as a rule, the necessary information can be obtained for free. For example, let’s decipher the VIN code on the website Exist.ru;
• To gain access to the resources of the Internet site, preliminary registration of a personal account is required. During registration, you must indicate: user category (individual or legal entity), service region and address of the nearest office for receiving orders, full name, mobile phone number and email address;

• Next, you need to go to the “Request by VIN” tab and indicate the previously received vehicle identification number in the provided field;

After the check, which takes from 15 seconds to 1 minute, basic information about the car will appear on the screen:

• vehicle model;
• year of manufacture of the car;
• model, power and engine displacement.

If you further click on the “all parameters” link, you can additionally find out:

• date of manufacture of the car;
• modification;
• car model code;
• steering wheel location;
• interior and exterior colors;
• the manufacturer's intended market.

History of the VIN standard, since when has it been used

The first identification numbers on cars appeared in the mid-50s of the last century. The new numbering was called vehicle identification number or VIN for short.

The main objective of this innovation was to give each vehicle a unique marking, which would allow one or another car to be identified among other cars.

The only difference is that at the time of its appearance, the structure of VIN numbers was different and had serious differences from a specific car manufacturer.

Since the early 80s of the last century, adjustments have been made to the VIN labeling.

Thus, the National Academy, which is responsible for safe traffic in the United States, approved a new VIN with 17 characters.

This is how a new structure of VIN numbers appeared, valid for the largest vehicle manufacturers.

Subsequently, the VIN code was adopted by all vehicle manufacturers.

How to find out what engine is in a car by VIN code

Also, a plate with the VIN number can be located on the central pillar on the driver’s side, under the passenger or driver’s seat, in the trunk or at the bottom of the windshield in a special window. So, you have the car’s VIN on hand. There are several ways to find out what engine number is based on the VIN code: Decipher the VIN code yourself. This will require a special reference book and quite a lot of time, especially for an inexperienced person. Not the best, but still a workable option.

Use the online service "AutoKod", which allows you to determine not only the car's engine number, but also other reliable information about the car using the vehicle identification number.

It is very difficult to independently find out the serial number of an engine by VIN code - you will have to seek help from special services: Diagnostics at MREO. A lengthy process that takes several days.

What do the numbers in the VIN code mean?

As mentioned above, this code contains 17 characters, which are conventionally divided into several parts WMI, VDS and VIS.

1. WMI

(full transcript - World Manufacturers Identification).

Consists of three main symbols. Using this code you can identify the vehicle manufacturer.

According to ISO 3780

The numbers and letters used in the first pair of characters indicate a specific country.

This part of the code is controlled by SAE

- Society of Automotive Engineers. In turn, SAE is governed by ISO (standardization agency).

The first character can be used to determine the general geographic area where the vehicle was manufactured.

For example, numbers from 1 to 5 are North America, from S to Z are Europe, and so on.

The second character (expressed by numeric or alphabetic designation) reflects the country in a particular zone. For example, from 10 to 19 - the United States, from S to Z - Europe, and so on.

The third symbol is reflected in numerical or alphabetic form and is allocated by the National Organization for a specific manufacturer.

For example, if the third symbol is nine, then the car is assembled at a plant that produces at least 500 cars a year.

To separate all manufacturers (there are hundreds of them), a special number can be entered at positions 12-14.

2. The second part of the general VIN code.

Called VDS

(full name - Vehicle Description Section).

Here you can find the most accurate information about the car and its equipment.

This part contains at least 6 characters. If the space is not filled, then simply put a zero.

So, from the 4th to the 8th characters show information on the characteristics of the vehicle, such as body type, power unit, series, model, and so on.

For example, for Toyota cars, number 4 and 5 indicate the type of body part (11 - Minivan or Jeep, 21 - cargo bus with a regular roof, 42 - bus with a raised roof, crossover - 26, and so on).

If the car is from Japan.

Please note that instead of VIN, FRAME

.

The ninth character is a check digit, by which you can determine the correctness of the entire number as a whole.

3. The third part of the VIN code is called VIS

.

It consists of eight characters. Of these, the last 4 characters have a digital designation.

The model range can be identified by the tenth digit in the general code (first digit in VIS).

However, since the format of this code is advisory in nature, many manufacturers, with the exception of Ford and Italian manufacturers, number 10 informs about the year of manufacture of the car.

The meaning of the symbols is given in the table below.

For Ford cars, the number indicating the year of manufacture is in the 11th position.

The remaining numbers reflect the sequence of movement of the vehicle along the conveyor, that is, the series number.

Decoding the VIN code

A VIN code is a unique number assigned to a vehicle at the factory. It contains complete information about a specific car.

It is VIN that is most often used to check vehicles. The code consists of 17 numbers and non-number-like letters, divided into three parts. Let's take a closer look at the decryption:

• 1 character – code of the state where the car was produced;
• 2nd and 3rd characters – name of the manufacturer and type of vehicle. In some cases it is used to designate a division of the manufacturer;
• Characters 4-8 are a description of the car, which includes the model, body type, specification, transmission type and engine information. That is, the eighth digit carries information about the engine model.
• 9th character – control indicator;
• 10th character – year of manufacture in letter designation;
• 11th character – link to the plant;
• 12-17 symbols – serial production number of the machine.

As for where the VIN code is located, firstly, it is in the documentation for the vehicle. If the number was verified upon purchase, then you can safely use it. Second, the code is present in several places on the machine itself:

1. Under the floor covering near the driver's seat;
2. On the windshield;
3. Under the hood;
4. On the front drain of the body and other places invented by the manufacturer.

To determine which numbers will provide information about the engine number by vin, you should use either decoders or conversion tables. The second option involves spending a lot of time and does not guarantee finding the correct answer. The engine model is indicated in the form - gasoline ccm kbm. Where the word “gasoline” means that the engine is gasoline. Other symbols and numbers indicate engine power.

When buying a car, it is important to check the similarity of the VIN code in the documents and on the body. If there are discrepancies, the transaction should be abandoned, since the PTS is most likely fake. If you make a purchase at a dealership and discover an error, you should immediately notify authorized employees.

Determining the engine model by VIN code

We will do this for cars: Audi, Ford, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, BMW, Toyota, Opel, Skoda, Nissan.

Each car brand has its own nuances in determining the type of power unit by VIN code.

Audi.

In this case, the VIN code has a standard (pan-European form).

By the code you can find out the country and manufacturer, the purpose of the car (for which market it was made), model range (7-8 position), assembly plant, product production number, and so on.

Actually, the type of engine can be “calculated” by finding out the exact model range of the Audi car.

The easiest option is to find the engine number, which can consist of 8 or 9 characters. After that, determining the year of manufacture of the motor and its type will not be a problem.

In Ford cars.

Using the VIN code you can find out the following information - manufacturer (1-3), body shape (4 and 10), location of the plant (7-8), model code (9), year of manufacture (11), month of manufacture (12).

As in the case of Audi, you can determine the type of engine by the model code. To obtain more accurate information, you need the number on the engine.

Volkswagen.

It also does not provide complete information about the engine by VIN code. As in previous cases, here you can find out exactly the model and year of manufacture, and from this data calculate the information of interest.

In Mitsubishi cars.

The VIN code is more informative. In particular, you can find out the manufacturer's index (1-3), body type (4), gearbox type (5), model range (6-7), power unit code (8 position), vehicle type (9), model year ( 10), manufacturer, production number.

Knowing the eighth character, you can decipher the volume and type of motor. For example, for the Mitsubishi Lancer the number 5 is the 4G93 engine type with a capacity of 1834 cc. cm.

In BMW cars.

The model range, year of manufacture and, accordingly, the type of engine can be identified by characters 4 to 7 in the VIN code.

In Toyota cars.

Why you may need information about the motor

So, the VIN number is a unique vehicle identification number assigned by the car manufacturer and consisting of 17 characters.

Letters and numbers are arranged in a certain order, by which you can determine:

• the country and plant where the vehicle was manufactured;
• brief technical description of the car;
• serial number assigned at production.

The VIN number is compiled in accordance with current international standards, namely ISO 3779-1983 and ISO 3780.

Knowing the VIN number of a vehicle, you can obtain the following data:

• about the make, model and year of manufacture of the vehicle;
• about the technical parameters of the car, including determining the type and number of the installed engine;
• about the history of registration actions;
• about being wanted or on bail;
• about imposing restrictions.

Using the unique vehicle number, you can find out which spare parts are suitable for a particular unit installed in the car.

Additional information about the modification of a motor vehicle, as well as catalog numbers of spare parts during restoration repairs will help you find out the engine number.

Additional methods for determining the engine model

Unfortunately, as noted at the beginning of the article, the VIN code does not always provide guaranteed accurate information about the car.

There are situations when a database failure occurs or the manufacturing plant itself makes a serious mistake.

Therefore, you should not completely trust the numbers indicated on the cylinder block.

Before buying a car with a “strange” engine, you should additionally check the car at the MREO

and ask for a car inspection.

In such cases, they are increasingly sent to a technical institute, where you need to be prepared to lose some time.

But it’s worth it, because they will give 100% results based on the model of the installed engine.

There is one more nuance. There are situations when the engine is changed without registering the license plate with the traffic police, so accurately determining the type of engine becomes a serious problem.

As for the capabilities of the institute, they are also limited. There are cases when the research center refused to check the engine or delayed this process for a long time.

To avoid such delays, you can contact the experts. The latter can determine the type of motor using their experience and knowledge.

The cost of this service ranges from 500 to 2,500 rubles. Here a lot depends on the car itself and the complexity of the work.

Residents of settlements remote from large cities face the greatest problems.

In this case, you have to turn to experts via the Internet for help. All that is required is to find an appropriate resource where specialists gather to exchange skills and knowledge.

After that, all that remains is to state the essence of the problem.

To give experts the necessary data about the motor, it is worth taking several photographs where the location of the mounted components will be visible.

In addition, provide basic information on the power unit, namely:

• type of intake system, number of cylinders;
• number of heads, cylinder position;
• gearbox type;
• the total number of valves, spark plugs and injectors, and so on.

Accurate processing requires the transmission of all characters embossed on vehicle components, information on additional equipment, and so on.

If all the data is transferred, you can count on the help of the specialists.

Additional methods

It is worth noting that it is not always possible to determine the engine model by the VIN code. After all, even in the information base at the plant there could be an error hidden, and the number is entered by a person, and here the human factor plays a role.

If during the process of purchasing a car you have suspicions about the engine, they can be checked by diagnostics at the MREO. The car will undergo a full technical inspection at a special institute. If you have a few days to spare, then it is better to use this method.

Take into account the fact that the MREO also has limited possibilities. There are situations when it is not possible to install the engine model.

Specialized service station

Even if the MREO could not help you, then all you have to do is go to a specialized service center. An employee of such a center, using methodological literature and his skills, will find out the model of your power unit. The cost of such a service ranges from 500 rubles to 2500.