When it comes to owning a Mercedes-Benz, understanding the different components of the vehicle is important. One such component is the engine number. The engine number of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle can reveal important information about the car, such as its age, model, and specifications. In this article, we will explore the Mercedes Benz engine number, where to find it, and what it means.
What is a Mercedes Benz Engine Number?
Each engine produced by Mercedes-Benz is assigned a distinct identifier known as the Mercedes Benz engine number. Typically consisting of a combination of letters and numbers, this code serves the purpose of identifying the particular engine installed in a given vehicle. Valuable information such as the engine’s production date, displacement, and power output can be derived from the engine number.
Mercedes Benz engine number Location
On all newer petrol engines, the engine number is located on a smooth spot on the top, on the right as viewed in the direction of travel, on the transition to the gearbox (see the image of the V6/V8/V12 petrol engines). Depending on the particular engine, the number is more or less easily readable when viewed from above, if looking down towards the gearbox between the engine and the subframe.
Appearance of the Mercedes Benz Engine Number
On Mercedes Benz vehicles engine numbers are stamped or needle punched (the so-called “Grand Centre-Punch”) but newer engines also “etched” (milled) numbering; (i.e., engraved, whereby the point where the tool first makes contact can clearly be distinguished on each character or sign).
Stamped engine number:
Etched engine number:
A needle-punched number:
New lettering style used in needle-punched engine numbers
Example 6-cylinder diesel (2,5 litre BlueTec), two lines
Mercedes Benz Engine number sticker
Newer engines also have an Mercedes Benz engine number sticker with the engine number stuck onto a plastic element directly on the engine. The sticker is often hidden by the outer plastic coverings on an engine.
Example taken from the SLK 350 (the type 171):
Mercedes Engine number sticker next to the engine controller above the engine
Mercedes Benz Hybrid engine number sticker
(currently only in the S 400 Hybrid and the ML 400 Hybrid):
WARNING: In hybrid vehicles, the engine is a high-voltage component (characterized by thick, orange cables) and may pose the risk of electric shock – danger!
Mercedes Benz engine number decoder
111974 | 1 | 0 | 000001 | ? | 10,4 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
1 Engine model (must correspond to the type of model)
see model designations
2 Steering and engine plant codes
0 = Steering not predetermined
1 = Left-hand drive (LHD)
2 = Right-hand drive (RHD)
3 = Untertürkheim engine plant
4 = Berlin engine plant
5 = Mannheim engine plant
6 = AMG
3 Transmission codes
Only introduced if the steering is encoded under 2 that is, if the codes 0 – 2 are entered.
If that is the case, then
0 = Manual gearbox with normal clutch
1 = Manual gearbox with hydraulic clutch
2 = Automatic gearbox
If the engine number has been encoded under 2, the eighth digit of the
engine number forms part of the running serial number
4 Serial number
5 Special symbol(s)
6 Compression
Attention:
The engine number of the Renault Diesel (e.g. on the A-Class W176, CLA-Class C117) as all the Renault engine numbers is structured and broken down into
– an engine identification (e.g. K9K F450)
– and a serial number (e.g. D014193)
There are sometimes variations from the above scheme on replacement engines.
New numbers are normally only issued when a completely new engine is installed. The original number is retained when engines are given a complete overhaul.
Replacement engines have small metal plates onto which the new engine number has been engraved.
For requests in the FADA system between the 6-digit engine model and the 6-digit unit number the digit „09“ for replacement engines or „08“ for repair engines is needed.