If you're shopping for parts for your Caterpillar diesel engine, then you're going to want to make sure that you're getting the right ones the first time. To help us get you exactly what you need, you need to have your engine serial number handy.
Where is that, you ask? Well, we're going to take you through where you should be looking to find this information on your CAT engine. Read on to find out more!
Apr 05, 2020 The Caterpillar serial number tells you the machinery's series number, machine model and origin. You can find out the corresponding meaning to each series, model and origin number or abbreviation using the table found at http://www.topbid.com/resources/manufacturers/caterpillar-series-and-country-of-origin/. Caterpillar Serial Number Pattern. Caterpillar uses a 3-character alphanumeric prefix followed by a 5-digit number. You can reference the prefix in the Model, Series, and Country of Origin table. Example: D10 Crawler Tractor, 76X00367. Top Caterpillar Models Recently Sold at Auction. Serial Number Examples: Pre 2001, 8 digits: 4ZN, 17 digits: CAT00262LCED001660. VIN Number Location: On smaller models, on the left side at the rear of the machine, under the left support arm. On larger models the plate is found on the left side (highway) behind the cab under the lift arm (similar to Bobcat). Caterpillar Serial Number Prefix Sales 2018-08-17T03:58:56-06:00. Here we have provided the complete list of prefix codes for the different serial numbers that I put to use for caterpillar gen sets,and all the figures indicate the model and factory of the manufacturer. Most people also use the same for getting the right match while reordering.
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Most engine serial numbers can be found on the dataplate, which is typically on the driver side of the valve cover. Not all engines are consistent in where they put these information plates. The dataplates for a certain type of engine can be found in various places depending on the model. However, Caterpillar is pretty regular with their location.
If you're looking for more information on ESNs in general, we have a blog about other diesel engine serial numbers!
Its a little hard to find something when you dont know what youre looking for. We get people that try to give us part numbers, casting numbers, or even VINs instead of ESNs, simply because they dont know what an engine serial number should look like.
All Caterpillar ESNs have a similar format, which makes them pretty easy to identify. They all begin with a three number/letter prefix, which is then followed by 7 digits.
The prefixes will correspond to a particular model, and usually to a certain subsets of the model. For the more popular prefixes, people will sometimes refer to their engine by the prefix rather than the broader model. You may have heard someone say, Oh, yeah, my 6NZ runs like a champ. A 6NZ is a common prefix for a single-turbo C15. Some prefixes even have reputations. For example, a C15 with a prefix of MBN is known as a Bridge motor (because it was the bridge engine from the mechanical C15 to the electronic C15 ACERT), and is often heavily criticized.
If you want to know more about one of CAT's most popular engines, check out our Caterpillar 3406E Engine Spotlight!
3406:
3406B:
3406C:
3406E:
C7:
C12:
C15 and C15 ACERT:
C16:
As much of a pain as it can be to find and identify your ESN, its incredibly important that you do it when you go to order parts. Giving us your engine serial number will guarantee you get the right parts for your engine, because we can look it up to figure out what your engine was originally built with.
You will see that when you entersome of our product pages, there is a box under our price with the available options. One option field that appears is for your Engine Serial Number. While youll be able to place an order without inputting your ESN, you will get a call from us asking for it before we will actually be able to get your order processed. And that just slows everything down.
Got questions? We've got answers! Our ASE Certified Technicians can help you with your diesel engine part needs. Give us a call at 844-304-7688 if you have any questions! Or, you canrequest a quote online.
Originally Posted October 4, 2017; Edited December 3, 2019
Caterpillar Serial Number
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