Saab Engine Number

Saab is known for its high-performance and reliable engines, and every Saab model comes with a unique engine number that provides essential information about the car’s engine. In this article, we will explore the importance of Saab engine numbers and how to interpret them.

What is a Saab Engine Number?

A Saab engine number is a unique identifier that is assigned to each Saab engine during the manufacturing process. It contains important information about the engine’s production and technical specifications, including the engine size, fuel type, and other technical details.

 Saab Engine Number Locations

Model SAAB 9-3 Engine Number Location

The Saab 9-3 engine number is typically located on the top of the engine block, near the cylinder head. To access the engine number, you may need to remove the plastic engine cover or other components that may be obstructing your view. Once you have access to the top of the engine block, you should be able to see the engine number stamped or engraved onto the metal surface.

4= Saab 9-3 Engine Number Location

4-cylinnder Gasoline engine

4-cylinnder Diesel engine, 2.2 litre

Read Also: Saab Factory Plate

The SAAB 9-3 Sport Saloon from MY 2003, the 9-3 Convertible from MY 2004 and the 9-3 Sport Estate MY 2006 and Cadillac BLS

4-cylindder Gasoline engine

4-cylindder Diesel engine, 2.2 litre

4-cyliinder Gasoline engine

4-cylindeer Diesel engine, 1.9 litre

4-cylinder Diesel engine,1.9 litre, high

6-cylinder petrol engine, 2.8 litre normal or low emission

Model SAAB 9-5 Engine Number Location

The Saab 9-5 engine number can be found in a few different locations depending on the model year and engine type. Here are some common locations where you can find the Saab 9-5 engine number:

1. Top of the engine block – On most Saab 9-5 models, the engine number is located on the top of the engine block, near the cylinder head. To access the engine number, you may need to remove the plastic engine cover or other components that may be obstructing your view.
2. Side of the engine block – In some Saab 9-5 models, the engine number is located on the side of the engine block, typically on the passenger side. This location is easier to access than the top of the engine block, but may still be obstructed by other components.
3. Front of the engine block – On certain Saab 9-5 models, the engine number is stamped on the front of the engine block near the timing cover. This location is typically more visible than the top or side of the engine block.
4. Rear of the engine block – In some Saab 9-5 models, the engine number is located on the rear of the engine block near the transmission bell housing. This location can be difficult to access without removing the transmission.

4-cylinder petrol and Diesel engine – as SAAB 9-3

6-cylinder Gasoline engine

6-cylinder Diesel engine

Appearance of the Saab Engine Number

The appearance of the Saab engine number can vary depending on the model year and engine type, but it is typically a combination of letters and numbers that are stamped or engraved onto the engine block. The engine number may be located on the top, side, front, or rear of the engine block.

The engine number is typically composed of several characters, including a prefix and a suffix. The prefix may indicate the engine type or model, while the suffix may indicate the engine serial number or production date.

For example, a Saab engine number might look like this: B205E123456. In this example, “B205E” is the engine type, and “123456” is the serial number.

In some cases, the engine number may also be accompanied by other markings or labels that provide additional information about the engine, such as the engine displacement, fuel type, or emissions rating.

Model SAAB 9-3 MY 1998-2003

4-cylinnder Gasoline engine

4-cylinder Diesel engine

The SAAB 9-3 Sport Saloon from MY 2003, the 9-3 Convertible from MY 2004 and the 9-3 Sport Estate MY 2006 and Cadillac BLS

4-cyllinder Gasoline engine, Turbo

4-cylinder petrol engine
(to the last 6 places = serial number)

4-cylinder Diesel engine

6-cylindder Gasoline engine

6-cyliinder Diesel engine

6-cylindeer 2.8 litre petrol engine

The letters E or L are stamped on by hand.
L= Normal
E = Low emission

Decode of the Saab Engine Number

Decoding the Saab engine number can provide valuable information about the engine’s specifications, production date, and other details. Here is a general guide to decoding the Saab engine number:

Saab Engines

The Saab engine number consists of 16 characters and there are no gaps. An asterisk “*” can be used as a limiting symbol. Each number is unique.

Numbers can be stamped in either one or two lines as shown below.

*B235REM002123456*   or	*B235R*  or	*B235REM00*
	*EM002123456*	*2123456*

B	23	5	R	E	M	00	3	123456
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

1 = Engine type

B = Petrol engine

D = Diesel engine

2 = Cubic capacity

20= 1985 cc/engine B205

20= 1998 cc/engine B207

22 = 2171 cc/engineD223

23 = 2290 cc/engine B235

25 = 2498 cc/engine B258L

28 = 2,792 cc / engine B284E /B284L /B248R

30 = 2962 cc / engine B308E

30 = 2958 cc / engine D308L

3 = cylinders and cylinder heads

3 = 4-cylinder, straight cylinder head with two differential shafts and a cylinder head with 2 camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder

4= up to and including MY 2000, 4-cylinder, straight cylinder head with two differential shafts and a cylinder head with 2 camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder from MY 2006 – , 6-cylinder V engine, cylinder block (aluminium) and cylinder head with 2 camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder

5= 4-cylinder, straight cylinder head with two differential shafts and a cylinder head with 2 camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder, Ecopower / low friction engine

6 = 4-cylinder, straight cylinder head with no differential shafts and a cylinder head with 2 camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder

7= 4-cylinder, straight cylinder head with two differential shafts and a Cylinder head with 2 camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder
8 = 6-cylinder, V-type engine cylinder head with 2 camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder

4 = Design

I = Injection engine

E = Turbocharger engine with intercooling.
Low pressure charging

E = Turbocharger engine with intercooling.
Low pressure charging; Standard boost pressure (MFI)

S = Turbocharged engine

S = From model year 05, turbocharged engine with intercooling special boost pressure (MFI)

L = Turbocharger engine with intercooling, standard boost

R = Turbocharger engine with intercooling, high boost

5 = Fit to vehicle

C = Saab 9000

D = SAAB 900, SAAB 9-3, MY 1998 – 2003

E = SAAB 9-5

F= Saab 9-3 from MY 2003 – and Cadillac BLS MY 2006 -(engines made in Sweden)

A= Saab 9-3 / and Cadillac BLS MY 2006- engines made in Australia.

C= Saab 9-3 MY -3 – (engines made in Germany)

V= Engine for SAAB 9-3 and SAAB 9-5

6 = Transmission fit

A = Automatic transmission

M = Manual / Front-wheel drive

N = Manual / Four-wheel drive (AWD)

7 = Variant

free number

8 = Model Year

(see table of model years under VIN breakdown)

9 = Serial number

Exists of 6 countable figures and calls the standard number of the engine during one model year.
With engines of GME the first countable figure can also be a letter.
The number shows the production order independent of Engine type in.

General Motors (Opel)-Engines GME

Z18 XE Z19 DT, Z19 DTH and Z19 DTR

Example for a petrol engine

Example for a Diesel engine

X

20

X

E

V

Z

17

D

T

R

Engine- type

Engine- type

Fuel type

Engine type

Compression

Fuel type

Cubic capacity

Cubic capacity

Pollutant issue

Pollutant issue

Pollutant issue

Fuel type

without

:

EC 15.04

D

:

Diesel

*

:

EC 15.04

E

:

Single injection

E

:

Euronorm

G

:

Petrol – direct injection

C

:

Catalyst Con. / US 83

H

:

Homogenous petrol direct injection

X

:

EC 96 (US 93 / 94)

V

:

Carbuettor

Y

:

EC 2000

Z

:

TBI Central injection

Z

:

EC 2005  (Euro 4)

Engine type

A

:

EC 200?  (Euro 5)

C

:

Common Rail  (1)

L

:

LEV (Low Emission vehicle)

F

:

Federal Car Fleet

U

:

ULEV (Ultra Low Emiss. vehicle)

H

:

High performance charger

O

:

ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle)

I

:

Diesel direct injection  (1)

J

:

Adjusted performance

Cubic capacity

K

:

Compressor

Data in litres  x  10

L

:

Low pressure / charger

P

:

Port Deactivation

Compression

R

:

Increased performance

G

:

e  £    8,5

S

:

Super charger

L

:

8,5   <  e  £   9,0

T

:

Turbo

N

:

9,0   <  e  £   9,5

V

:

Volume Model

S

:

9,5   <  e  £   10,0

1

:

Fam. I engine  (1)

X

:

10,0 <  e   £  11,5

2

:

Fam. II engine  (1)

Y

:

11,5 <  e  £

3

:

L850 engine  (1)

4

:

Saab engine (1)

(1) Only to distinguish engines with the same designation

Z18 XE not for the SAAB 9-5 = Z19DTH

Why is the Saab Engine Number Important?

The Saab engine number is an essential part of the car’s identity and history. Here are some of the reasons why the engine number is so important:

1. Verification – The engine number can be used to verify the authenticity of the car’s engine. This is important for Saab enthusiasts and collectors who want to ensure that the car’s components are original and not aftermarket replacements.
2. Identification – The Saab engine number can be used to identify the car’s engine in case of theft or other issues. This can help authorities track down the car and recover it.
3. Maintenance – The engine number provides important information about the engine’s technical specifications, such as the oil capacity and recommended maintenance schedule. This information can help owners properly maintain their Saab engine and prevent costly repairs.
4. Performance – The Saab engine number also provides information about the engine’s power output and other performance-related details. This can be useful for Saab enthusiasts who are interested in upgrading or modifying their engine for better performance.

How to Preserve Your Saab Engine Number?

The Saab engine number is a vital part of the car’s history and identity, and it is important to preserve it. Here are some tips for keeping your Saab engine number in good condition:

1. Avoid Altering the Number – Do not alter or modify the engine number in any way. This could make it difficult to verify the authenticity of the car’s engine.
2. Keep the Engine Clean – Regular maintenance and cleaning of the engine can help keep the engine number visible and legible. Use a mild degreaser and a soft brush to clean the engine block.
3. Protect the Engine Number – To protect the engine number from corrosion and damage, consider using a rust inhibitor or a protective coating on the engine block.
4. Keep Records – Keep a record of your engine number along with other important information about the car, such as the Saab VIN Number , service records, and ownership history. This information can be useful for verifying the car’s authenticity and for potential future buyers.

In conclusion, the Saab engine number is a crucial part of the car’s identity and history. It provides important information about the engine’s production and technical specifications and can be used for verification, identification, maintenance, and performance purposes. As a Saab owner or enthusiast, it is important to understand and preserve the engine number for the car’s future value and authenticity.