Identification data required to search for a new turbocharger or spare parts for turbocharger repair can usually be found on the old turbo. They are typically marked on a tag attached to the “cold” part of the CTR, the compressor housing, and less often on the bearing housing. Sometimes the marking is engraved directly on the compressor housing’s surface.
The marking on the housing or tag invariably includes the turbocharger’s manufacturer number (OEM or by the manufacturer). It may also contain various other information such as the serial number, batch number, turbine type, and more. Usually, the manufacturer’s logo or the logo of the car company for which the turbocharger was used can be found on the tag. The marking on the housing may not display distinguishing manufacturer logos and only contain numeric information like a code, part number, or turbocharger number. This can depend on the turbocharger manufacturer, the factory where it was produced, where it was packaged (or marked), and the method of distribution (on the assembly line, in the auto parts market, etc.).
Figure 1 Figure 2
Figure 3 Figure 4
Figure 1 – Garrett Label. It displays the turbocharger manufacturer’s number (452239-5009S), batch number (OE12596W), and turbocharger type (GT20). It also features the Garrett company’s logo and Honeywell corporation.
Figure 2 – Garrett Marking on the snail. It also includes the manufacturer’s number (704361-5006S), batch number (PC02841W), turbo type (GT2256V), and the place of manufacture (made in UK), but does not have manufacturer logos.
Figure 3 – BorgWarner (KKK) Label. It shows the turbine type (K03), batch number (RK50201244 00033), and the manufacturer’s number for BorgWarner – 53039880189.
Figure 4 – MHI (Mitsubishi Turbochargers) Label. It specifies the Turbine Type (TF08L), Serial Number (H2211019). In the batch number field, you may sometimes encounter the OEM Number (28200-83905) and the turbocharger manufacturer’s number (49134-00603).
There are several types of turbocharger numbers (codes) under which they are sent to the assembly line or to the auto parts market.
1. Manufacturer’s Number (Garrett, BorgWarner, MHI, Holset, IHI, etc.)
Garrett by Honeywell usually follows this structure: XXXXXX-XXXX or XXXXXX-XXXXS (6 digits + hyphen + another 4 digits, or 4 digits and a letter ‘S’ as an extension of the turbine). The numbers typically start with 4, 7, or 8. There is also a format like XXXXXX-X. For example: 700273-0002 or 700273-5002S, where 700273 is the manufacturer’s number of the turbo, and -0002 or -5002S is its extension. An exception is 700273-2. These numbers are typical for Garrett by Honeywell turbochargers.
BorgWarner Turbo Systems, one of the world’s largest turbocharger manufacturers, has the following types of numbers:
1) XXXXXXXXXXX or XXXX XXX XXXX – the most popular numbering style by BorgWarner (11 digits, often starting with 5 or 1). For example: 5303 988 0029 or 53039880029 (1274 988 0003 or 12749880003).
2) XXXXXX – mainly for commercial vehicles (6 digits, mainly starting with the number “3”). For example: 316699.
3) XXXXX (5 digits) – for narrow-focused special equipment. For example: 53342 (a turbo for a ship diesel generator Daf).
Just like in Garrett, BorgWarner has nuances in writing extensions, which can indicate the market where the turbo was supplied:
XXXX970XXXX or XXXX 970 XXXX – supplied to the automaker’s assembly line (numbers with “in-between” (3 digits ‘970’ following the first 4 digits ‘5303’) are most commonly seen on a “native” (non-repaired or replaced) turbo on your car). For example: 53039700029 or 5303 970 0029. XXXX988XXXX or XXXX 988 XXXX – supplied to the secondary market (auto parts market) and the turbocharger manufacturer’s distributors (numbers with “in-between” (3 digits ‘988’ or ‘998’ following the first 4 digits ‘5303’). For example: 53039880029 or 5303 988 0029. So, 53039700029 or 5303 970 0029, 53039880029 or 5303 988 0029 – the turbo is the same in all cases.
MHI Mitsubishi Turbochargers usually have this numbering structure: XXXXX-XXXXX or XXXXXXXXXX (5 characters, hyphen, then 5 or more characters. Or the same characters without a hyphen. Typically, the numbers start with 49, i.e., 49XXX-XXXXX. For example: 49135-05671 or 49S35-05671 or 4913505671 or 49S3505671.
Holset turbos typically have this numbering style: XXXXXXX or XXXXXXX-X or XXXXXXXX (just 7 digits, or 7 digits, a hyphen, and a letter, or 7 digits and a letter, without hyphens in writing). Most numbers start with 2, 3, or 4. For example: 4038612 or 4038612-D or 4038612D. All these variations of the turbo number belong to the same turbo and have no differences!
IHI turbos usually have this format: XXXX or IHIXXXX (2 letters + 2 digits or IHI + 2 letters + 2 digits). For example: VV11 or IHIVV11. But there are other number types depending on the specific cars. For example, Mercedes. Some Mercedes models had IHI turbos with two types of numbers: AXXXXXXXXXX and ALXXX or ALXXXX (letter A and 10 digits, and the letters AL and 3 or 4 characters). For example: A6510901580 and AL0058. Another number format is XXX or IHIXXX (2 letters and 1 digit, or IHI + 2 letters + 1 digit). For example: VN2 or IHIVN2.
2. OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer Number (the number for the brand it’s used on, such as Audi, VW, Mercedes, Opel, Ford, BMW, MAN, Volvo, Perkins, etc.)
OEM number (Original Equipment Market) translates literally as “the original market number of the product.” Since companies that manufacture cars themselves usually don’t produce turbochargers for their cars (with some exceptions) and order their production from companies that manufacture turbochargers (Garrett, BorgWarner, MHI, Holset, IHI, etc.), you have to deal with turbocharger part numbers according to the car manufacturer. So, the OEM number is the number assigned to the turbocharger at the car manufacturer’s factory.
Examples of OEM numbers:
Turbocharger for Mercedes Sprinter (OEM Number: A6020960199 / 6020960199, and the manufacturer’s number: 454207-0001 / 454207-5001S).
Turbocharger for Audi A4, A6, A8, VW Passat, Skoda Superb (OEM Number: 059145701G/ 059145702D, and the manufacturer’s number: 454135-0009 / 454135-5009S).
Turbocharger for Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Jumper, and Fiat Ducato (OEM Number: 9636473280, and the manufacturer’s number: 53039880061 / 53039700061).
Turbocharger for BMW 330D (OEM Number: 7791709I/ 7791758I, and the manufacturer’s number: 750080-0019 / 750080-5019S).
Turbocharger for Kia Sorento (OEM Number: 28200-4A470 / 282004A470, and the manufacturer’s number: 53039880144 / 53039700144).
Turbocharger for MAN F2000E (OEM Number: 51.09100-7429 / 51091007429, and the manufacturer’s number: 313951).
As you can see from the examples, each car manufacturer uses its own individual classification of part numbers (OEM numbers) for its cars.
In conclusion, it’s worth mentioning that, despite these instructions, there can always be difficulties in determining the turbocharger number. Therefore, you can always turn to our managers for help. They can help you determine the turbocharger number based on your car’s parameters and provide information on the availability and price of the parts you need!