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Most parts that come back from workshops were the wrong part from the start, not a manufacturing defect. The reason is usually one thing: the order was placed by verbal description. A sentence like "I want a Cummins piston" can give ten different parts.
The part number removes this confusion. These are the ways to find it, in order from easiest to hardest.
Method 1: the engine plate
The engine plate is a small metal tag fixed to the engine body itself, not to the machine. Its place differs by brand, and it is usually on the side of the block or on the valve cover.
Two things matter on it:
• The model number or type — it identifies the engine family.
• The serial number — it identifies this exact engine and its production year, which matters for parts whose specifications changed between one year and another.
Practical tip: photograph the plate with your phone now and save the picture, even before you need a part. Plates get dirty and fade with time, and the old picture stays clear.
Method 2: the number on the old part
Most genuine parts have a number engraved or printed on them. After removing the old part, clean it of oil and photograph it from every side. The number is sometimes hidden under a layer of carbon.
Warning: the old part itself may be an alternative or a counterfeit, so its number may be wrong or missing from every catalog. In that case go back to Method 1.
Method 3: the machine's own plate
Besides the engine plate, the machine itself — the excavator, the loader or the generator — has a plate carrying its model and serial number. It helps with parts outside the engine: the track chain, the bucket teeth, and the hydraulic parts.
Method 4: send us a picture
When the plate is missing or worn away — which happens a lot with used equipment — send us on WhatsApp:
1. A picture of the part from every side.
2. A picture of the engine plate if it exists, and if not, a picture of the whole engine.
3. The machine's model and year of manufacture if available.
4. Exactly where the part is installed.
Our technical team looks for the number and comes back to you with the available alternative and its price.
Four common mistakes when writing the number
The mistake | The right way |
Mixing up the letter O with the number 0 | In most part numbers the symbol is a zero, not a letter. When in doubt, try both. |
Dropping the dash | The dash makes no difference in our search. The number with or without a dash gives the same result. |
Writing only part of the number | An incomplete number gives many wrong results. Write the full number. |
Relying on the number written on the box | The box may be for another part. The number on the part itself is the reference. |