Volvo Penta Marine Model Number Decode Guide
Grab your engine model number and get in touch with us here at MarineEngine.com. We're happy to help order the correct replacement parts to get you back on the water.
Typical Model ID Tag Locations
GASOLINE ENGINES Red Engines, early Very early engines, built until the late 1980’s, were named based on the displacement (early) or horsepower (later) of the engines. The name started with AQ (sterndrive engine), BB (inboard) or MB (inboard). Next came the number for the displacement or horsepower. Most of these also included a one letter suffix, for version control. An AQ271A is older (and different) than a AQ271B Examples: AQ260A, AQ171C, AQ200F, BB260A These engine names then changed to a system based on displacement. The names were a three digit number, followed by a letter. The first two digits of the number represented the displacement. The 43 in 434A meant the engine was a 4.3L. The third digit was used for version control. A 430 and a431 are both 4.3L’s, however the last digit indicates there is difference between the engines. The numbers at the third digit were not always sequential. 430’s were built before431’s, however 432’s and 434’s were built at the same time. The letter at the end was also used for version control and was sequential. A 500A was built before a 500B.These engines went out of production in1993. Examples: 432A, 500B, 251A, 740B Nothing in the names in either of these systems relates in any way to years of production. Some of these engines were in production for less than a year, others for many years. Charcoal Engines These engines were built during the joint venture with OMC and were painted a dark charcoal color. They were usually named by long character strings that contain two numbers followed by a series of letters. The two numbers are the displacement. Next is a letter that indicates who made the base engine; G=GM, F=Ford After that, one or two letters that note the fuel system and/or output. L=limited, S=superior, X=exceptional, I or I=fuel injected (no I means carbureted) Then one letter for the steering system. P=power steering, M=manual steering, X=exact steering, I=inboard The next two letters are the most important for finding parts. These are random letter pairs that indicate the years of production for the engine. All parts information for these engines is based on these letter codes, including the charts that follow later in the book. MD = 1993-1994 BY = 1997-1998 HU = 1994-1995 WT = 1998-1999 NC = 1995-1996 EF = 1999-2000 LK = 1996-1997 The next letter is also random and is used for version control. An “A” may not be the first version. A “C” may not have been built before an “S”. An “S” in one engine’s name may not mean the same thing as an “S” in another engine’s name, especially if the engines have different displacements or production years. When needed this code is noted in the charts. There are instances where it is needed to find the right column for an engine. Some names have the letters “CE” at the end. This indicates the engine meets certain emission requirements. The only service part affected is the ECU. These part numbers are noted when needed the catalogs. These engines went out of production 2000. Examples: 4.3GLPBYC = 4.3L, G=GM, L=limited output, carbureted (no i), P=power steering, BY=built 1997-1998, C=service code for version control 5.8FSiPNCACE = 5.8L, Ford, Superior output, injected, power steering, NC=built 1995-1996, A service code, certified emissions 7.4GLPHUS = 7.4L, GM, limited output, carbureted, power steering, HU=built 1994-1995, S service code 3.0GLMMDA = 3.0L, GM, limited output, carbureted, manual steering, MD=built 1993-1994, A service code Red Engines, current Beginning in 2000 the gas engines are painted red again. The naming system was also changed. The first part of the name is the same as the charcoal engines, up to the letters for the fuel system. The two numbers are the displacement. Next is a letter that indicates who made the base engine. Engines were produced that use Volvo Penta’s composite Ocean Series sterndrives, these engines have an OS for this letter. After that, one or two letters that note the fuel system and/or output. For 3.0L only, there is an M or P for steering For Inboard engines only, there is an I after the lower case i. Then a dash (-) followed by a one or two letter suffix. This is the major change from the charcoal engines above. The first letter is the version control, this is present on all current engines. –A is the first version, -B is the second version, etc… There is no link between the suffix and production years. The second letter, if present is always an F, it notes that the engine has factory installed freshwater cooled. Example: 3.0GLM-C, 4.3GXi-DF, 5.0OSi-E, 8.1GXiI-B Note: some engines have the letter F for the first letter of the suffix, these are not freshwater cooled, unless there is also an F at the second letter. Example: 5.7Gi-F is NOT freshwater cooled, 5.7Gi-FF is freshwater cooled. Beginning in 2007 new features were added to the gas engines that require additional letters in the model names for model identification. Engines with electronic shift and throttle were introduced as part of the Electronic Vessel Control (EVC-ec) program. The model names for these engines use an E after the i. Example: 5.0GXiE-JF Engines with catalytic converters and closed loop control systems were introduced to meet emissions regulations. The model names for these engines use a C after the i. Example:5.0GXiC-JF Engines were released that have both features, for these model names the C is before the E. Example: 5.0GXiCE-JF Note: There are significant parts and service issues between the C and E engines and similar engines with the same suffix. In addition, in 2007 the horsepower ratings were added to the model names of some V8 engines. The horse power number is always before the suffix and is separated by a dash (-). Example: 5.7GiCE-300-JF Volvo Penta’s Inboard Propulsion System was added to gas engines in 2007. The engine models designed for this system have IPS after the displacement in the model name. Example: 8.1IPSE-JF All IPS engines have the E (electronic shift and throttle), some also have the C (catalyst). All are freshwater cooled (-?F). DIESEL ENGINE IDENTIFICATION The diesel engines have also used several naming methods. They are not as varied as the gas engine names, plus there are fewer engines listed in each column in the chart. The complete engine name can usually be found in the chart, many times in a separate column. The diesel names are also a combination of letters and numbers. As a guideline, the following code letters are used to name the diesel engines; Before the number D = diesel M = marine A = aftercooler T = turbocharged H = horizontal K = compressor AQ = engine equipped for a sterndrive Earlier diesel engines used multiple letters at the beginning, depending on the features on the engine. Example: TAMD41 = turbo, aftercooler, marine diesel Later diesel engines only use a "D" at the beginning, followed by a number. Example: D6 = diesel, 6 cylinders Number: Used to show displacement, horsepower or number of cylinders After the number The letters after the number are used for version control, to designate usage or tell the type of transmission mated to the engine. Before dash (-) These note different use ratings, such as pleasure, leisure, etc… - or – They are sequential, A, B, C, etc…Newer diesel engines use this letter to designate the transmission used with the engine; A = sterndrive D = IPS I = Inboard After dash (-) These are sequential, A, B, C, etc… Example: D6-435D-C = diesel, 6 cylinder, 435HP, IPS, C version