Hi, I'm new here and already have a question about the engine number AFN on my Toledo (Weblog eidannemo)

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:20.

"First of all, sorry that I have to use this method to ask my question, as I'm not allowed to post anywhere else except here

. If this is unwanted, please delete it. THE QUESTION IS AT THE END..."

Hi,

Here's my new acquisition...

.....for €1200, you can't really say anything, right?

Seat Toledo TDI, year 1998.

190,000 km

AFN - 81 kW

Fully equipped until the very last day...

Leather upholstery made by a saddlemaker, with heated seats.
Climate.
"elFh"
ZV
Retrofit alarm system with automatic window closing.
90mm threaded suspension system.
15-inch AZEV summer alloy wheels.
15-inch OZ winter alloy wheels (look like ATS Star).
Front of the Cupra.
MOT valid until 10/2013.

Last year, a new exhaust system was installed from the catalytic converter onwards, and all defective bearings were replaced (steering head bearings, control arms, etc.).

But now, let's get to the PROBLEM (Sorry, I can't ask anywhere else except here in the introduction forum, because there are too few posts, etc.).

The timing belt needs to be replaced, but there are 2 different ones (one up to xxx733 and then one from xxx734 onwards) for the AFN engine, and I can't find the engine number anywhere. There's no sticker left on the timing belt cover, and I haven't seen any markings on the block either

, only the type plate in the trunk is still there, but it only shows the engine code AFN and other information...

Is the engine number encoded in any way?

Here's the link to the nameplate:
/download.php?id=6936

Maybe someone can make sense of it and tell me the correct engine number!

THANK YOU

[/url]

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:25.

Hi Nemo!

First of all, a warm welcome to our Diesel Forum!

Basically, no questions are asked or answered here.
...but since it's only about the type of timing belt, I'm going to make an exception this time...

Von Conti gibt es für den AFN zwei verschiedene Zahnriemen. Eine normale Ausführung und eine verstärkte für den AFN im Sharan z. B.
You can use both; the reinforced one is a bit more difficult to lie on, but you sleep better

.
You can find information about this on Google or the Continental website (which contains the same information I wrote to you above).

You have a nice chassis number!

However, the engine number is not visible in this image. You might be able to obtain it from the dealer if they check using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
To the best of my knowledge, timing belt kits are generally identical for all AFN engines, but it's always a good idea to double-check!

Best regards from Munich!

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:28.

@DieselBear30x,

Thank you for the information and for the exception

.

Well,
I called several Seat workshops and also Seat Germany, but they only handle sales and administration, and all of them could only tell me the engine code (MKB), which I already knew.

Seat Germany made a research request in Spain to the manufacturer, but according to them, this could take forever, which is why I'm asking my desperate question

.

But if you say that the ZR models are otherwise identical except for the amplification, then that's fine, and I'll just take the amplified version and that's it

.

However, the idler pulley and tensioner pulley are likely to be the same, or are there differences between them as well?

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"MFG" stands for "Mit freundlichen Grüßen," which translates to "Sincerely" or "Best regards" in English. It is a common way to end a formal letter or email.

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:29.

Go to a SEAT dealer and have them look up the part number for the timing belt (kit). With that part number, you can then determine the correct type from companies like Continental, purchase it, install it, and you're done.

...not everything always has to be unnecessarily complicated...

Therefore, your question has been sufficiently answered with exceptions.

Best regards from Munich!

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:31.

Go to a SEAT dealer and have them look up the part number for the timing belt (set). With this part number, you can determine the correct type at companies like Conti, purchase it, install it, and that's it.

It's not working in this case either. I checked, and there are also two different timing belt kits: one up to 136,733 kilometers (part number 038198119B), and another from 136,734 kilometers onwards (part number 038198119A).

The difference isn't in the timing belt itself, but in the tensioner pulley!

@eidannemo

You need to find the engine number. I've attached a picture [Edit Admin: And I've removed it again, using images of third parties without the right to use them = free for all!], where you can see the engine code stamped on the block.
Sometimes the engine number can also be found in the service booklet.

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:34.

@Pogo123,

Well, if you've read what's above, I've already written it like this

.

Quote:

The timing belt needs to be replaced, but there are 2 different ones (one up to xxx733 and then another from xxx734 onwards)

.

Now I at least know that it's due to the tension rollers

.

Quote:

You need to look for the engine number. I've attached a picture where you can see the MKB (engine code) stamped on the block.
Sometimes, the engine number is also listed in the service booklet.

I also mentioned above that I couldn't find any numbers on the block itself, nor a manufacturing date code (MKB), which is strange.

It was all there, except for the service booklet

.

Okay, then I guess I'll just have to wait for Seat Germany to send me an email. I requested the engine number from them in Spain, because the manufacturer needs to know which engine was installed with which serial number.

OR,

I could assume the most likely option and order a ZR starting from serial number xxx734, and hope that I ordered the correct one.

The wait is agonizing, especially since I'm already 10,000 kilometers overdue for the change.

I'm not going to drive that car anymore for much longer.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"MFG" stands for "Mit freundlichen Grüßen," which translates to "Sincerely" or "Best regards" in English. It is a common way to end a formal letter or email.

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:37.

If you're not using the vehicle right now anyway, you can remove the old belt and check which part number is on the tensioner pulley. Then I can tell you which kit you need.

It's possible that even Seat doesn't know which engine is installed, because the engines come off the assembly line and are put into the car bodies, and it doesn't matter what number the engine has at that point. The engine number is assigned where the engine is assembled.

In the position shown in the picture, the MKB (presumably a specific part or component) needs to be located. Otherwise, you'll need to verschandeln the area with a wire brush.

Translated on 21-07-2026, 0:39.

pogo123 wrote:

Since you're not using the vehicle anymore, you can remove the old belt and check which part number is on the tensioner pulley. Then I can tell you which set you need.

It's possible that even Seat doesn't know which engine is installed, because the engines come off the assembly line and are placed into the car bodies, and it doesn't matter what number the engine has at that point. The engine number is assigned where the engine is assembled.

In the position shown in the picture, the MKB must be located. Otherwise, you need to verschandeln the area with a wire brush.

Hi,

Ugh, I'm such an idiot! Of course, why didn't I think of that? There's a number on the pulley, and the redirecting pulley should be the same for both anyway...

BUT hey,

The seller had just called me, and he had written down the engine code somewhere: 139487 *EXCITED*, and I would have been absolutely right if I had bought the timing belt kit starting from xxx734 based on suspicion

).

So, thank you again to everyone, and sorry that I had to ask in the "wrong" forum

.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"MFG" stands for "Mit freundlichen Grüßen," which translates to "Sincerely" or "Best regards" in English. It is a common way to end a formal letter or email.