Engine Production Dates-Codes

[eric792]

Hi ive been researching to try and find out what the engine code translates too as i have a m20b25 engine with little knowledge of history and would like to know the year it was made for mr m.o.t man! and i dont have the original vehicle reg or vin number. So far ive found two pdf files explaining what the numbers mean, i.e. assembly line and factory code etc. But im struggling to find a list explaining what numbers mean what years, one pdf explains 7 means 1987 but does not explain any other year and the longer i stare at them the more i get confused with numbers! Does anyone know where i can get the information from. Ive tried searching the forums before i get shouted at but its just white screening !


http://www.rtsauto.com/wp-content/uploa ... geinfo.pdf

http://www.jaypix.com/files/engine.pdf


thanks for any help in advance

[Grrrmachine]

It's the second doc that explains things in a very clear way. I'll use my old scrap M20B20 motor as an example.

Number: 206KA24454179

20 - 2.0 litre engine
6 - six-cylinder
KA - for catalyst
2 - M20 engine (or M21/M50)
445 - production number of that engine (445th one that day)
4 - Produced in Munich
179 - Made on the 179th day of that year. (28th June)

The one piece of info that the engine code does NOT state, which is the piece that you need, is the production year. Because my car was produced on 06.06.1989, it suggests this engine was actually made in 1988 and sat around for nearly a year before being fitted.

[Brianmoooore]

If this is in your car in your sig., why would the MOT man be interested in your engine age? The emissions test is based on whichever component is the oldest.
Even if the engine is in a post 08/'92 E30, your get out clause is buried in note 2 of this: http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000309.htm , if of course, the engine numbers happen to be unreadable.

[eric792]

Managed to clear the grime and corrosion of the block to be able to see the numbers.

25 6E 2 25304227

25 - 2.5 litres
6 - 6 cylinders
E - Fuel Injection
2 - M20 Engine
253 - Production Number
04 - Produced In Munich
227 - Produced on 227th Day which is mid august

I'm grateful to at least get that much information, especially the Engine concept as E means it was made prior to catalytic converters coming in correct? I'm guessing there is no way in finding out the actual production year of the engine.

Brianmoooore

PostPosted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:00 pm
If this is in your car in your sig., why would the MOT man be interested in your engine age? The emissions test is based on whichever component is the oldest.
Even if the engine is in a post 08/'92 E30, your get out clause is buried in note 2 of this: http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000309.htm , if of course, the engine numbers happen to be unreadable.

yes it is inside the car in my signature it was built in 91 but not registered until 03/92 which is the year emissions came in, i did not know of a get out clause thanks for that one ;), the mot isn't exactly the main reason for wanting to know the engine age but just wanted to cover all basics just in case as i've never put a car through mot that has had an engine swap to a larger size, and i don't know anything of the engine wether it was one originally with a catalytic converter.

[Speedtouch]

Indeed, a 25 6E denotes a high compression block. Try putting the last 7 digits of the car's VIN into RealOEM (assuming it's the original engine, though most '91 cars had the 25 6K engine).

Alternatively, look at the VIN number on the ECU, which will probably be the one that came with that engine.

[eric792]

Indeed, a 25 6E denotes a high compression block. Try putting the last 7 digits of the car's VIN into RealOEM (assuming it's the original engine, though most '91 cars had the 25 6K engine).

Alternatively, look at the VIN number on the ECU, which will probably be the one that came with that engine.

Its not the original engine to my car so i do not have vehicle vin number, i was ensured it is however the original ecu with the engine when i bought it so il have a look for numbers on that tomorrow and plus it also gives me an excuse to get the ecu number to buy a chip from you! ;)

[Grrrmachine]

Managed to clear the grime and corrosion of the block to be able to see the numbers.

25 6E 2 25304227

25 - 2.5 litres
6 - 6 cylinders
E - Fuel Injection
2 - M20 Engine
253 - Production Number
04 - Produced In Munich
227 - Produced on 227th Day which is mid august

You got a bit mixed up there.

25 6E 2 25304227

25 - 2.5 litres
6 - 6 cylinders
E - Low-compression version
2 - Version 2 (9.4:1 compression)
530 - Production Number
4 - Produced In Munich
227 - Produced on 227th Day which is mid august

This is one of the last of the low compression engines (E2) as opposed to the newer high compression engines (K1, K2). That dates the engine very close to 1987.

[Brianmoooore]

If the car was registered for first use in 03/'92, then it is to be tested for emissions to the earlier 3.5%/1200ppm standards, whatever the age of the M20 engine, unless that is pre 08/'86, when you can go to 4.5% instead of 3.5%. If your tester still disagrees, then refer him to this page: http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000301.htm
If your engine tests to anywhere near these limits, then it is in urgent need of attention!

[AardHawk]

Grrrmachine not doubting your explanation, so how does my engine number translate.

276EB 24393981 from a 10/86 525e

The 981st day of the year!