The question of where to find the engine code on a MK3 Polo engine comes up every now and again. It's sometimes difficult to describe so I thought while my spare engine was on the stand I'd grab a few photos.

The engine code is cut into the block just above where the gearbox bell housing joins, underneath the thermostat housing on the distributor side of the engine:

Chances are you'll need a wire brush and a bit of petrol to clean the area up and make the code visible. The font is fairly big and clear and on a MK3 Polo the code will start AAU, AAV, NZ, 3F or PY and have an '*' at the start and finish.

Hope this helps!

Edited 7 July, 201016 yr by cheys03

good post! moved into FAQ by me. Lets just hope people actually bother to look before just asking the question :)

good post! moved into FAQ by me. Lets just hope people actually bother to look before just asking the question :)

You know thats just not going to happen haysey.

It is a good FAQ topic but its poorly titled - that's where you find the code on most Polo engines from 1975 to today (small block petrol) so dropping 'MK3' from the title would allow it to appeal to more of its natural audience.

Done and done.

It is a good FAQ topic but its poorly titled - that's where you find the code on most Polo engines from 1975 to today (small block petrol) so dropping 'MK3' from the title would allow it to appeal to more of its natural audience.

This is not correct. Engines before 1985 (with mechanical heads) have the engine code located on the mating surface of the cylinder block and head gasket in the gap between the edge of the cylinder head and the alternator bracket. It only got moved because the later heads cover this part of the block up.

^ I thought this was the case after seeing a photo of one. Title corrected.

Oops,apologies - but they do until at least '04 because both my MK4 Golf engines had them there and the '01 AUD block currently in my MK2 has it there.

I'll try and get an end date,or confirm its to present.

would the engine code be in the same place from a golf small block??????/

I'd expect so yeah

i will have to look harder then lol

i will have to look harder then lol

Depends what golf

i think its a abu 1.6 ,but from it beeing at the RR it seams that the power made and where it made it say its a aex 1.4??? but i cant fined the code to make sure

could the code be under the gear box so i cant see it????

Just found mine, it would appear if it's a 3F there is a space to allow for the engine code which is normally 3 letters. So AAV123123, 3F 123123.

I had to be very forthcoming with the wire brush. So keep digging and you'll find it!

Ok.... I've had a look and wire brushed the block but there wasnt anything there. There is a sticker just under the thermostat. Could the engine number under the sticker?