I'm close to finishing up my maintenance work on the R53 that I picked up basically abandoned. While installed new gaskets and o-rings, I have to admit I was impressed with how good the engine looked internally. The oil in it was old from sitting, but overall much cleaner than expected. The SC was changed at some point as it was telfon coated.

I was reading today about decoding, and I saw where the engine's have a label with the VIN number on it. I recalled seeing such a label so I got in there to take a picture. This is my understanding:

- the top number starting with W11 is the engine model code
- the bottom number contains part of the VIN that matches up with the chassis number

If the 2nd point above is true, this the engine has been swapped at some point and could explain the new SC. I'm unable to read the stamping on the engine block as the cast block is rough back there.



I just found out the trans has a label as well so I'll try to find it when I change the brakes to see if the code is correct for a 2003.

 

In my opinion, bottom number has nothing to do with VIN number.
VIN number can find on body, on ECU,but for sure not on engine part.

 

Ok, thanks for the feedback. I wasn't sure either way.