The MTU 396 is a high-speed, four-stroke V-configuration diesel family from MTU Friedrichshafen (today Rolls-Royce Power Systems). It is a workhorse of fast craft, patrol vessels, submarines, and stationary generator sets. This hub carries engine configurations, the parts we regularly supply, a growing cross-reference table, and a part-identification process built for an engine series whose numbers have changed across decades of service.
Request MTU 396 parts: Send engine model, serial number, part numbers, quantity, destination, and required delivery date.
1. Engine configurations
The 396 family spans three cylinder counts and several duty variants. TB = base / early marine, TC = charger (industrial & rail), TE = enhanced (fast vessels, yachts, ferries), SE = submarine (low-noise) duty. All share a 165 × 185 mm bore and stroke.
| Designation | Cyl. | Bore × Stroke | Typical output | Primary application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8V 396 | V8 | 165 × 185 mm | ~600–1120 kW | Gensets, smaller fast craft |
| 12V 396 | V12 | 165 × 185 mm | ~1000–2000 kW | Patrol craft, ferries, gensets |
| 16V 396 | V16 | 165 × 185 mm | ~1350–2240 kW | Fast vessels, naval, yachts |
Figures are representative of the family; always confirm against the engine identification plate (model + serial number) before ordering. Maintenance interval is typically ~500 operating hours or annually.
2. Spare parts we supply, by system
Cylinder head & valve train
Valve guides, seats, springs, collets, rocker arms, pushrods, cylinder-head gaskets.
Fuel system
Injectors & nozzles, nozzle holders, injection pumps, fuel delivery pumps.
Pistons / liners / rings
Piston assemblies, cylinder liners, piston rings, connecting-rod bolts.
Bearings
Main and connecting-rod bearing shells, thrust washers.
Gaskets & seals
Head gaskets, O-rings, copper sealing rings, gasket sets.
Turbocharger
Turbine wheels, cartridges, ZR140 / ZR170 / ZR210 service kits.
Cooling
Seawater & freshwater pumps, impellers, heat-exchanger kits, thermostats.
Sensors & MDEC
Exhaust thermocouples, temp / pressure transmitters, engine-management modules.
3. Part-number cross-reference (growing)
We publish the part numbers we can confirm as we handle real enquiries. Tags: RFQ = verified from an inbound inquiry we received; catalog = public MTU 396 cross-reference seed. Where a number crosses to a non-MTU brand we note it for verification.
| Part number | Description | 396 fitment | Source / cross-ref |
|---|---|---|---|
0005350260 | Exhaust gas thermocouple | 396 exhaust temp sensing | RFQ RFQ · Israel buyer |
0005353960 | Exhaust gas thermocouple | 396 exhaust temp sensing | RFQ RFQ · Israel buyer |
5600160180 | Gasket | 396 general | RFQ RFQ · Oman buyer |
5582040406 | Impeller (cooling pump) | 396 seawater pump | catalog catalog seed |
5110809821 | Turbine wheel | 396 turbocharger | catalog catalog seed |
5501800016 | Oil filter element | 396 lubrication | catalog catalog seed |
5090850060 | Piston ring | 396 piston | catalog catalog seed |
5500500333 / 5500500334 | Rocker arm (inlet / exhaust) | 396 valve train | catalog catalog seed |
5550533244 | Valve guide (inlet) | 396 cylinder head | catalog catalog seed |
0045427217 | Temperature monitor | 396 sensing | catalog catalog seed |
0011535528 | Pressure transmitter | 396 sensing | catalog catalog seed |
— | Exhaust thermocouple cross-ref (non-MTU brand) | 396 | catalog catalog · "Thermo Fisher 33.700.040" — unverified, request photo |
Don't see your number? Send it (with the engine model + serial) via the form — we add confirmed numbers to this table, which also helps the next operator with the same engine.
4. How to identify your exact part
"MTU 396 part" is often not enough to order safely. A 396 engine may have run for decades: components were replaced, numbers changed, reconditioned parts fitted. To match the right item we need:
- Complete engine designation (e.g.
16V396TE94, not just "396") - Engine serial number from the identification plate
- Existing component part number — the marking on the old part beats any photo title
- Component description + quantity, and a photo of the old part where possible
This is the same discipline we apply to every enquiry before quoting — it prevents shipping a look-alike that doesn't fit your exact configuration.
5. Enquiry log — how 396 parts reach us
Real examples of 396-related requests we have handled (buyers anonymized). These show the range of configurations and parts in active service:
0005350260 / 0005353960 for an MTU 396 in continuous duty. Buyer required branded OE parts (no white-label). Quoted genuine thermocouples; cross-reference to a non-MTU sensor brand requested as photo confirmation.
5600160180 for MTU 396, part of a multi-line tender. Identified from part number; supplied with fitment confirmation against the engine designation.
6. Supply options
Genuine new
Original MTU-packaged components with full traceability — best where the documentation chain has to stand up to inspection.
Reconditioned / exchange
Factory-level overhaul of pumps, injectors, turbochargers — typically 30–40% lower cost, faster lead time.
Documented alternative
Verified equivalents for non-critical items where the buyer accepts them — best value for routine overhaul.
7. MTU series cluster
These hubs group MTU families by the enquiries we actually receive. The 396 page carries live RFQ-verified numbers; the 2000 page is catalog-seed rich; both link to the 4000 family:
MTU 396 Variant Decoder
TB / TC / TE / SE duty codes and per-model table — which parts differ by configuration.
MTU 2000 Series Hub
8V / 12V / 16V / 18V high-speed engines — yachts, patrol craft, ferries, marine gensets.
MTU 4000 Series Parts
12V / 16V / 20V larger siblings — higher-power marine and genset duty.
MTU Engine Series Guide
Full MTU family map — pick the right series before quoting.
MTU 1163 Series Hub
12V / 16V / 20V large-bore family (230 × 280 mm) — naval & fast ferries.
MTU 4000 Variant Decoder
M05 / M03 / C05 / R03 / R04 / T05 + M-duty notation — larger siblings.
MTU 12V 396 TE94
Single-model deep dive — 1,680 kW marine & genset engine with live RFQ numbers.
MTU 396 Series FAQ
Is "MTU 396" enough to order a part?
Not for every component. Add the complete engine designation (e.g. 16V396TE94, not just "396"), the engine serial number, and — ideally — the number marked on the old part. The 396 family has been in service for decades, so numbers changed and reconditioned parts were fitted; that combination prevents fitment errors.
Do you supply genuine MTU only?
We supply genuine new, reconditioned-exchange, and documented alternatives. The right option depends on the component criticality and your acceptance of equivalents — we state which is which on every quote, and genuine thermocouples / sensors are quoted as branded OE where you require it.
Can you match a part number to a non-MTU brand?
Often yes, but we verify before quoting. If a number crosses to another manufacturer we ask for a photo to confirm rather than assume — several 396 sensing parts have non-MTU cross-references that must be checked against your exact engine.
What do you need to quote?
Engine model + serial + part number + description + quantity. A photo of the old part shortens identification significantly. For thermocouples and sensors, the engine rating and build year also help.
How fast can you quote an identified number?
Typically within one business day for a number we can confirm against the engine designation. RFQ-verified numbers on this page (e.g. 0005350260, 5600160180) are quoted from stock or named-supplier channels the same business day.
