identifying engine

Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:00 pm

Hello, i bought a M20b25 engine.
it has these numbers, on top of the block:
BMW 1278 921 083 86
At the dipstick: A 1 83 320EL
And there is a print with 84 on the left side of the block aswell

My question is, is this just an normal m20b25 engine? if yes, why does it say 320EL?. i do know it is a m20b25, because of the 84, since the 320i is with 80.

Im thinking might it could be Eta or something? i dont know.. someone know?

Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:34 pm

there will be a flat area on the block near the dipstick with some numbers on it that states what engine it is

Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:36 pm

these numbers are gone... so what to do now:P?

Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:31 pm

Measure the bore?

It will be either 80mm or 84mm....

Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:39 pm

it is 84, there is a print of that on the block. but why does it say A 1 83 !!"320EL"!! at the dipstick?

Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:50 pm

got any pictures ?

Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:53 pm

Im a noob to this forum haha, how to i post pictures?. i got some picture ready

Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:03 pm

Isn't the 84 the year of manufacture?

Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:09 pm

nope, Ã¸84 indicates it is a m20b25, the 320i is with Ã¸80

but how do i post picture, so people can see what im talking about

Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:11 pm

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=171644

Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:27 pm

http://www.bilgalleri.dk/fotoalbum/tuni ... 170079-m20

check this, i posted the pictures there, hope you can identify my engine now

Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:10 pm

The engine type number and engine serial number have been removed.
The numbers you can see stamped by the bottom of the dipstick ARE NOT OEM.
The engine type number should be within the red circled area, with the engine serial number just below the red circled area. The engine type number should be 256 E/K 1 for a M20B25

Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:14 pm

Its got the B25 head (early one) and inlet manifold.

Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:29 pm

so how do i check if it is a 2,7 or 2,5 block?. the bore is 84 as you can see on the pictures.
im thinking im going to visit BMW tomorrow, to see if they can try to find something that we/i cant ;(

Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:41 pm

There is nothing else on the block that will help you, and BMW will tell you that aswell...

Only way to confirm is to measure the Stroke and Bore....

Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:48 pm

Alright, thanks alot for your help;-)

Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:21 pm

I wouldn't advise walking into a dealers asking about an engine that's had its serial numbers removed!!

Tue Sep 29, 2015 1:00 am

look at the piston crown shape through the spark plug hole, it might help narrow it down