Fig. 2. Location of factory plates in the engine compartment
The manufacturer's plate can be found in the engine compartment with the hood open (Fig. 2). It contains a sequence of numbers and letters that indicate the model of the car, the permissible load capacity, the engine, the reduction ratio of the main gear, the paint number, the interior equipment, etc. The car code is also visible through the windshield (right arrow). Fig. 3 shows where the number is engraved. The manufacturer's plate is often provided with abbreviations nearby, which are self-explanatory, but always contain letter code designations. They are deciphered as follows:
Fig. 3. Location of the vehicle identification number
- the first three letters indicate the country in which the car was manufactured. Cars made in Cologne are designated by the letters "WFO". Positions 5 and 11 indicate the model version ("AF" - four-door limousine, "AA" - five-door limousine, "AN" - station wagon). Positions 6 and 7 indicate the equipment. For example, "D" denotes the version type "CLX"; "G" stands for "GLX" version. The letter under number 8 denotes the origin of the product. Cars from Cologne are designated in this position by the letter "G", while the letter under number 9 indicates the assembly plant ("A" stands for Cologne). The letter under number 10, here with "B", indicates that we are talking about a Mondeo;
- the letter in position 12 indicates the year of manufacture. The year of manufacture 1996 is designated as "T", and then in alphabetical order, for example, 2000 is designated by the letter "X". Now it is already known that after the year 2000 this position is replaced by ordinal numbers, and the first digit will be "1";
- the letter immediately following this position indicates the month of manufacture, followed by the actual serial number of the vehicle (5 positions). It must always be stated in full when ordering spare parts. The identification of the engine installed in the vehicle is also engraved on the manufacturer's plate.
Until the end of April 1998, the following engine designations were adopted on the manufacturer's plate:
1.6 l "L1" or "P"
1.8 l "RK" or "J"
2.0 l "NG" or "B"
Since May 1998, the following engine designations have been adopted on the nameplate:
1.6 l "LIN"
1.8 l "RKF" or "RKH"
2.0 l "NGB" or "NGC"
Fig. 4. Factory identification plate: 1 — operating permit number; 2 - vehicle type identification number; 3 — permissible weight of the vehicle; 4 — permissible gross weight (e.g. with a caravan); 5 — permissible load on the front axle; 6 — permissible load on the rear axle; 7 - for diesel vehicles only; 8 - version (certain areas only); 9 - not used for Mondeo; 10 — body type (A, B or C); 11 - exhaust gas adjustment; 12 — body enamel; 13 - interior equipment; 14 — final drive ratio; 15 — gearbox design (letters/numbers of gearbox type); 16 - installed engine; 17 - installed steering (left-hand - 1); 18 - not used for Mondeo
On the 2.5-liter engine, the number is the same for all years of production, and the designation "SE" or "H" is engraved here. The nameplate then provides information on various parameters of the vehicle and axle weight, steering, gearbox, final drive, interior equipment, etc. Fig. 4 shows what the nameplate looks like.
Fig. 5. Location of engine number on gasoline engines: 1 — engine type; 2 - engine serial number; 3 — engine connecting flange; 4 - air filter
The next important piece of information is the engine number, which begins with the distinctive letters of the installed engine (see appendix). The number on all 16V engines is given in the location shown in Fig. 5. Three distinctive letters are engraved on the cylinder block, not the two letters of the nameplate shown above. The serial number of the installed engine follows these letters.
The sticker on the upper toothed belt cover contains information about the cylinder capacity. On the 2.5-liter engine, the important details of the engine number can be found in the places shown in Fig. 5: the number (2) is stamped and the number (1) in the position is engraved.
When ordering spare parts and in other cases, you must indicate the chassis number or engine number.