How to Know What Type of Engine Your Car Has
There are two main ways to determine what type of engine your car has: by checking the engine code or by looking at the engine itself.
Checking the Engine Code
The engine code is a unique identifier that is assigned to each engine model. It can be found on a metal tag attached to the engine block. The engine code will typically consist of a series of numbers and letters, such as “F22C1” or “EJ255”.
Once you have the engine code, you can look it up online to find out what type of engine it is. There are a number of websites that offer this service, such as Engine-Codes.com and AutoZone.
Looking at the Engine
If you are unable to find the engine code, you can also determine the type of engine your car has by looking at the engine itself. Here are some of the key features to look for:
- Number of cylinders: The number of cylinders in an engine is typically indicated by the number of spark plugs. For example, a four-cylinder engine will have four spark plugs, while a six-cylinder engine will have six spark plugs.
- Cylinder arrangement: The cylinders in an engine can be arranged in a variety of ways, including inline, V-shaped, and flat. Inline engines have the cylinders arranged in a straight line, while V-shaped engines have the cylinders arranged in a V-shape. Flat engines have the cylinders arranged in a flat plane.
- Valve configuration: The valves in an engine can be arranged in a variety of ways, including overhead cam (OHC), overhead valve (OHV), and side valve (SV). OHC engines have the camshaft located above the valves, while OHV engines have the camshaft located below the valves. SV engines have the valves located on the side of the cylinder head.
- Fuel system: The fuel system in an engine can be either carbureted or fuel injected. Carbureted engines use a carburetor to mix fuel and air, while fuel-injected engines use a fuel injector to spray fuel into the intake manifold.
Once you have identified the key features of your engine, you can compare them to the information provided in an engine identification guide. These guides can be found online or in automotive repair manuals.
Conclusion
Determining the type of engine your car has is a relatively simple process. By checking the engine code or looking at the engine itself, you can quickly and easily identify the engine model.
