Volkswagen Engine Serial Number Lookup
Before VIN numbers were standardized, VW used a combination of the Chassis Number and the Engine Code to convey information about the vehicles. A standard format for vehicle identification didn't come about until the late 1970s. The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) describes the characteristics of the vehicle - engine type and size, transmission type, body type, and so on. The final 9 digits include the security check and unique Volkswagen serial number. Where to find it? Engine Number: 3.1 Location of the engine number. Depending on the type of machine or engine installed, the engine identification number is punched into the engine block or embossed on a riveted metal plate. Due to accessory equipment, it is hardly accessible when installed, however.
Type 1:
- A free Volkswagen VIN decoder that allows you to lookup options, model, year, engine, transmission, and specifications. In addition, you can also check the title records and accidents by clicking Check History. How to Decode VW VIN Number The first three digits uniquely describe the manufacturer of the vehicle.
- A VIN number is a 17 character alpha/numeric serial number unique to each vehicle, by manufacturer, make, model and year. Each character in the VIN number can be decoded to determine where the car was built, what year, which automotive features are included and more. Together, all the VIN numbers create a history about your Volkswagen – VW.
VW Beetle Chassis and Engine serial numbers 1948 to 1979 – Lots of key data packed into a simple chart that can be printed out on a single page.
Dune Buggy ID Page – Most Dune Buggy’s are based on a shortened Beetle Type 1 chassis. Use the VW Chassis and Engine serial number list above to ID your chassis. However, if you are trying to ID a Dune Buggy body, this page from the Dune Buggy Archives is the place to start.
Type 2:
Type 2 M-Plate Decoder – An excellent online decoder site for your Volkswagen van, bus or Westfalia. Covers both split window vans and bay window vans. Decodes the entire M-plate and includes the bit of information included in the serial number.
All Models:
Engine Code Letters for the Volkswagen – Scans of a factory information guide on engine serial number prefixes from the great TheSamba.com website.
Understanding VW Engine and Chassis Numbers through to 1979 – Covers Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4 and K70 models. From the Volkswagen Owners Club of Great Britain.
VW Chassis Numbers – Covers Beetle, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Thing. From Aircooled.net.
Alphanumeric Volkswagen Engine Codes were stamped on VW Engine cases at time of car manufacture to convey information about the size and specs of the engine. Because VW offered multiple engine sizes and made changes to their engines independently of model changes, they used Engine Codes instead of relying on VIN numbers for this purpose. There is some engine information that can be derived from VW VIN Numbers for pre-1968 vehicles.
From the first 1 or 2 digits of a Volkswagen Engine Code you can derive the approximate year and engine size. The remainder of a VW Engine Code is essentially a serial number.
Chart Information Crowdsourced at TheSamba.com
| Type 1 | ||
| Code | Year | Engine/Notes |
| 1- | Pre-Jan., 1956 | 25hp/36hp 1- prefix indicates Type 1 and is not part of the sequential engine number. |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 55-65 | 1200cc, 36hp/40hp |
| D0 | 1966/67 | 1200cc |
| F0 | 1966/67 | 1300cc |
| H0 | 1967 | 1500cc |
| F1 | 1967 | 40hp |
| E0 | 1967 | M240 low compression 37hp |
| L0 | 1967 | M240 low compression 40hp |
| H5 | 1968/69 | 1500cc |
| B6 | 1970 | 1600cc – dual relief, single port |
| AB | 1971/73 | 1300cc – dual port |
| AE | 1971/72 | 1600cc – dual relief, dual port |
| AH | 1973/74 | 1600cc – 8mm head studs with case savers |
| AJ | 1975-1979 | 1600cc – fuel injected |
| Type 2 | ||
| Code | Year | Engine/Notes |
| 20- | Pre-Jan., 1956 | 25hp/36hp 20- prefix indicates Type 2 and is not part of the sequential engine number. |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 55-65 | 1200cc, 36hp/40hp |
| O | 1963/64 | 1500cc – no cam bearings |
| H | 1965 | 1500cc |
| HO | 1966/67 | 1500cc |
| L0 | 1967 | M240 low compression |
| B5 | 1968/69 | 1600cc – single relief |
| B5 | 1970 | 1600cc – dual relief |
| AE | 1971 | 1600cc |
| CB | 1972/73 | 1700cc – dual carb., manual transmission |
| CD | 1973 | 1700cc – dual carb., automatic transmission |
| AW | 1973/74 | 1800cc – dual carb. |
| AW | 1975 | 1800cc – fuel-injected |
| AP | 1974/75 | 1800cc – European only |
| ED | 1975 | 1800cc |
| GD | 1976/77 | 2000cc |
| CJ | 1976-1979 | 2000cc – European only |
| GE | 1978/79 | 2000cc |
| CU | 1980-1983 | 2000cc – Vanagon style |
| CV | 1980-1983 | 2000cc – Vanagon style |
| Type 3 | ||
| Code | Year | Engine/Notes |
| O | 1961-65 | 1500cc |
| K0 | 1966-1972 | 1500cc – 54hp |
| M0 | 1966-1972 | 1500cc – M240 low compression 52hp |
| P0 | 1966/67 | 1600cc – M240 low compression 50hp |
| T0 | 1966-1973 | 1600cc |
| U0 | 1968-1973 | 1600cc – fuel injected for USA |
| U0 | 1970 | 1600cc – dual-relief case |
| U5 | 1971-1973 | 1600cc – 7.7:1 compression – US/Canada M239 California fuel-injection |
| X | 1972 | 1600cc – 7.3:1 compression – California |
| Type 4 | ||
| Code | Year | Engine/Notes |
| V | 1969 | 1700cc – 68hp |
| Z | 1969/70 | 1700cc – 7.8:1 compression – 68hp, dual carb., automatic transmission |
| W | 1971 | 1700cc – 8.2:1 compression – 80hp |
| EA | 1972-1974 | 1700cc |
| EB | 1973 | 1700cc – California only, fuel injection |
| EC | 1974 | 1800cc |
| AN | 1974 | 1800cc – 8.6:1 compression |
| AT | 1974 | 1800cc – European only, dual carb. |
Volvo Engine Serial Number Lookup
| Porsche 914 | ||
| Code | Year | Engine/Notes |
| W | 1970/71 | 1700cc – 8.2:1 compression – 80hp |
| EA | 1972-1973 | 1700cc |
| EB | 1973 | 1700cc – 7.3: compression, California only, fuel injection |
| EC | 1974 | 1800cc – California only, 7.6:1 compression |
| AN | 1800cc – 8.6:1 compression | |
| GA | 1973/74 | 2000cc – 7.6:1 comporession |
| GB | 1973-1976 | 2000cc – 8.0:1 compresssion |
| GC | 1975/76 | 2000cc – 7.6:1 compresssion |
| V0 | 1700cc – European-only 1800cc – European-only 2000cc – European-only | |
Vw Vin Engine Code
| Replacement cases | |
| These cases were VW engine cases that were sold from VW but never issued in an actual production vehicle. All are dual-relief cases with 100mm oil passages. Example: Information from a 5/73 USA service bulletin issued 5/73: Engines with the re-manufactured symbol, a letter, a number and ending with X, indicates a VW Exchange engine. Before Oct., 1968 the X was not stamped onto the block.From April of 1972 Shortblocks were sold with the VW remanufacture symbol followed by a letter. No numbers were used, you were to stamp in the old engine number. | |
| F1 | 1300/1600 |
| F2 | 1300/1600 |
| DO | 40hp if last digit is “X” |
| D1 | 40hp part |
| AD | 1600 |
| AK | 1967-1974 1500/1600 |
| AM | 1600 |
| AS | Sometimes seen listed as Super Beetle case for 1973-onward |
1976 Vw Bus Engine Serial Numbers Lookup
| Exchange engines |
| These engines are normally marked with a VW recycle symbol and an X at the end. Example: Information from a 5/73 USA service bulletin issued 5/73: Engines with the re-manufactured symbol, a letter, a number and ending with X, indicates a VW Exchange engine. Before Oct., 1968 the X was not stamped onto the block.From April of 1972 Shortblocks were sold with the VW remanufacture symbol followed by a letter. No numbers were used, you were to stamp in the old engine number. |