Here's why:
* VW engine numbering systems vary: Volkswagen has used many different engine numbering systems over the years. The "AE" prefix could indicate a specific engine family, but without more information, it's impossible to know.
* Numbers alone aren't enough: Engine numbers are often sequential, and don't directly correlate to a specific year of production.
To determine the year of the engine, you'll need more information:
* Full engine code: The complete engine code will provide more detail about the engine's model, displacement, and potential production year.
* Vehicle identification number (VIN): The VIN can be used to look up the engine and its production year.
If you have the complete engine code or the VIN, you can use online resources like:
* VW's official website: Look for a VIN decoder or a parts catalog that allows searching by engine code.
* Third-party VIN decoders: Many websites offer VIN decoding services.
Once you have this information, you can narrow down the possible production year of the engine.
