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Northern Lights M6140AL Engine

The Northern Lights M6140AL is an engine. It powers generator sets from Northern Lights, including the M6140A.

Also known as: Northern Lights M6140AL

Part of the Northern Lights 6140 engine family — 3 variants share parts & fitment.

Engine specifications

Common problems

2
  • Warning or shutdown is activated and the temperature gauge shows temperature within normal temperature range
    Cause: Engine oil level may be low
    Fix: Check the engine crankcase oil level. If the oil level is low, fill with recommended lubricating oil and restart. Watch the oil pressure gauge carefully and shut off the engine if it does not show a normal reading after a few seconds of operation.
  • Engine temperature rises above 205°F (96°C)
    Fix: Watch the temperature gauge regularly and turn off the unit if the temperature rises above 205°F (96°C). Repeat the troubleshooting process.

Compiled from service & troubleshooting documentation across every generator set that uses the Northern Lights M6140AL.

Service intervals

21
ItemActionHoursMonthsNotes
Battery electrolyteCheck50 hrEvery 50 hours or weekly
Engine oilChange250 hr6 moFirst service — First 50 hours
Lube oil filterChange250 hr6 moFirst service — First 50 hours
V-belt tensionCheck50 hrEvery 50 hours or weekly
Battery cables and terminalsClean100 hrCheck and clean every 100 hours
Valve clearancesCheck750 hr12 moFirst service — First 100 hours
Air filterInspect250 hr6 moEvery 250 hours or 6 months
Primary fuel filter elementChange250 hr6 moEvery 250 hours or 6 months
Turbocharger air, oil and cooling linesCheck250 hr6 moEvery 250 hours or 6 months
Zinc electrodesCheck250 hr6 moHE engines only
Coolant filterChange500 hr12 moFirst service — First 500 hours
Air filterReplace750 hr12 moEvery 750 hours or yearly
Battery conditionTest750 hr12 moHydrometer; every 750 hours or yearly
Cooling systemCheck750 hr12 moCheck and flush every 750 hours or yearly
InjectorsCheck750 hr12 moEvery 750 hours or yearly
Seawater pump impellerChange750 hr12 moEvery 750 hours or yearly
Secondary fuel filterChange750 hr12 moEvery 750 hours or yearly
Turbocharger boost pressureCheck750 hr12 moEvery 750 hours or yearly
Fuel injection pumpCheck2400 hrEvery 2400 hours
Gear oil coolerClean2400 hr12 moEvery 2400 hours or yearly; propulsion only
Heat exchangerClean2400 hr12 moEvery 2400 hours or yearly

Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.

Service specifications

33
TypeItemValueUnitCondition
ClearanceV-belt deflection3/8inmidpoint between crankshaft and alternator pulleys; 10mm
Injection timingInjection timing27 ±1° BTDCNo. 1 cylinder; 24° on 600HP Luggers
OtherMaximum installed operating angle10° rear down, 0° front downdegrees
OtherMaximum operating angle35degreesany direction for less than 2 minutes
OtherSupplemental coolant additive rate3% by volume30 mL SCA per liter H2O/EGC mixture
PressureCoolant filler cap release pressure7PSIapproximately; 0.5 bar
PressureGenerator set oil pressureabove 29PSIoperating
PressureMaximum exhaust back pressure30in H2O
PressurePropulsion engine oil pressureabove 15PSIoperating; never below 15 PSI
SpeedLow idle750RPM
SpeedMaximum working engine speed, continuous duty1800RPM
SpeedMaximum working engine speed, light commercial craft2100RPM
SpeedMaximum working engine speed, pleasure craft2100RPM
TemperatureExhaust temperature maximum975°Fmaximum; 510°C
TemperatureMaximum raw-water inlet temperature100°F37°C
TemperatureWater temperature maximum205°Fshut down if exceeded; 96°C
TorqueFuel delivery line sleeve nuts16-18ft lbs
TorqueFuel line nuts17-18ft lbs
TorqueInjection pump coupling nuts43-46ft lbs
TorqueInjection pump mounting bolts49-54ft lbs
TorqueInjector hold down48ft lbs
TorqueInjector inlet connector27ft lbs
TorqueInjector inlet connector lock nut29ft lbs
TorqueLubrication line inlet nuts (Fig. 11-4)11-14ft lbs
TorqueLubrication line outlet nuts (Fig. 11-5)18-31ft lbs
TorqueValve adjustment lock nut47 to 54ft lbs
TorqueValve adjustment lock nut7 to 7.5kgm
Valve clearanceExhaust valve clearance.031incold
Valve clearanceExhaust valve clearance.80mmcold
Valve clearanceIntake valve clearance.017incold
Valve clearanceIntake valve clearance.43mmcold
VoltageDC voltmeter13 to 14Vat 60°F (16°C) ambient
VoltageDC voltmeter, 24 volt systems26-28Vat 60°F (16°C) ambient

Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.

Recommended fluids

FluidGradeStandardAmbientCapacityNotes
Coolant50% ethylene glycol concentrate / 50% water optimum; minimum 40% EGC; maximum 60% EGCASTM D 4985P; SAE J1941; GM1899M; GM6038M38.0 LUse low-silicate EGC and supplemental coolant additives; do not use methyl alcohol or methoxy propanol base EGC
Engine oilSAE-5W or SAE 5-20WAPI Service CC/CD single-viscosity or CC/CD/SF multi-viscositybelow -23°C38.0 LBelow -10°F (-23°C)
Engine oilSAE-10W or SAE 10-30WAPI Service CC/CD single-viscosity or CC/CD/SF multi-viscosity-23°C to 0°C38.0 L-10 to 32°F (-23 to 0°C)
Engine oilSAE-30W or SAE 15-40WAPI Service CC/CD single-viscosity or CC/CD/SF multi-viscosityabove 0°C38.0 LAbove 32°F
FuelNo. 2 diesel above freezing 32°F (0°C); No. 1 below freezing and above 5,500 ft (1500 m)ASTM D975; sulfur less than 1% (preferably less than 0.5%); cetane minimum 45Do not use domestic heating oils, Class B, Class D, Class E/F/G/H, or ASTM-D975-60T No. 4-D and higher
OtherSupplemental coolant additive (SCA)Available as pint part 20-00002 and 1/2 gallon part 20-00003

Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.

Procedures

12
Valve Clearance Adjustment adjustment

Tools: Breaker bar, 19mm or 3/4 inch socket, Feeler gauge

  1. Turn off battery switch.
  2. Remove valve covers held by three bolts.
  3. Rotate crankshaft clockwise to align damper mark with pointer according to data plate.
  4. Adjust valves marked X.
  5. Loosen crosshead lock nut, then adjustment screw.
  6. Tighten adjustment screw until it contacts valve stem, then 20° more.
  7. Set intake clearance .017 in (.43mm); exhaust .031 in (.80mm), cold.
  8. Rotate engine one revolution; adjust valves marked O.
Bleeding Fuel System maintenance

⚠ Escaping diesel fuel under pressure can penetrate skin.

  1. Loosen vent plug in top of fuel filter housing.
  2. Unscrew hand primer knob on injection pump and pull up.
  3. Operate hand primer until air bubbles expelled and clear fuel escapes.
  4. Push hand primer down and tighten.
  5. Tighten vent plug.
  6. If engine will not start, loosen fuel pipes at injectors.
  7. Crank with throttle full until fuel without air flows.
  8. Tighten connections.
Changing Oil Filter maintenance

⚠ Overtightening can damage filter housing.

Tools: Filter wrench

  1. Use filter wrench to remove old filter.
  2. Remove and discard old filter gasket.
  3. Lubricate new filter rubber gasket.
  4. Screw filter on until gasket meets sealing surface.
  5. Tighten one-half turn farther by hand only.
  6. Fill engine with recommended oil.
  7. Start engine; check for leakage.
  8. Stop engine; check oil level and add oil if needed.
Flushing Cooling System maintenance

⚠ Cooling water is extremely hot; allow engine to cool before working.

  1. Stop engine and allow it to cool.
  2. Close sea cock before working on cooling system.
  3. Remove filler cap with caution.
  4. Open cooling system air vents.
  5. Drain jacket water circuit and raw water circuit.
  6. Pour clean water into filler until drains run clear.
  7. Close drains, re-drain and refill with coolant mixture.
  8. Close vents, open sea cock, start engine and check for leaks.
Raw Water Pump Impeller Replacement maintenance

⚠ Keep spare impeller and cover gasket onboard.

Tools: Two screwdrivers

  1. Remove pump end cover.
  2. Pry out impeller using two screwdrivers with protection under them.
  3. Remove all pieces of failed impeller.
  4. Clean inside of housing.
  5. Press in new impeller; place sealing washers in outer end.
  6. Replace cover using new gasket.
V-Belt Tension Check maintenance
  1. Press belt with thumb at midpoint between crankshaft and alternator pulleys.
  2. Correct tension allows about 3/8 in. (10mm) deflection.
  3. Replace belts in pairs if one requires replacement.
Winterizing Out-of-Service maintenance
  1. Drain seawater cooling systems completely; shut sea cocks first.
  2. Drain seawater supply lines and wet exhaust line.
  3. Loosen seawater pump cover and drain pump.
  4. Check freshwater antifreeze mixture; run engine to circulate.
  5. Fill fuel tank and add biocide.
  6. Seal air cleaner inlet, exhaust, crankcase breather and fuel tank vent.
  7. Change crankcase oil and filter; loosen drive belts.
  8. Disconnect and clean battery; clean outside and apply corrosion preventative.
Booster Battery Connection operation

⚠ Battery gas can explode; keep flames and sparks away.

  1. Check electrolyte level; add distilled water if necessary.
  2. Use booster and main batteries with same voltage rating.
  3. Connect positive booster terminal to positive main terminal.
  4. Connect negative booster terminal to engine block ground.
  5. Remove booster battery after starting engine.
Generator Starting operation

⚠ Do not crank starter more than 20 seconds.

  1. Hold Shutdown Bypass-Preheat switch ON; push Engine Control switch to START.
  2. Release both switches as soon as engine starts.
  3. Do not crank starter more than 20 seconds.
  4. Cold weather: preheat 30 seconds before starting.
  5. Let unit run unloaded for a three to five minute warm-up period.
  6. Do not add full electrical load until normal operating temperature.
Propulsion Engine Starting operation

⚠ Never race a cold engine.

  1. Place gear control in the neutral position.
  2. Move throttle control to full speed position and return to idle.
  3. Turn key to first position; check voltmeter.
  4. Cold weather: hold preheat 20-30 seconds.
  5. Turn key to starting position; release key as soon as engine starts.
  6. Move throttle up until engine runs at approximately 1000 RPM.
  7. Do not crank starter more than 20 seconds consecutively.
Shutdown Procedure operation

⚠ Do not turn battery switch OFF while engine is running.

  1. Run a three to five minute cool-down period.
  2. Propulsion: neutral at 1000 RPM, then low idle.
  3. Generators: unload.
  4. Push STOP button until engine completely stops.
  5. Turn key switch OFF.
  6. Close sea cock and fuel valves.
  7. Place battery switch OFF.
Injector Installation repair
  1. Install new o-ring in injector groove.
  2. Install new copper seat on injector end.
  3. Insert injector aligning fuel inlet holes.
  4. Install new fuel inlet connector.
  5. Install hold down, ballwasher and bolt; torque to 48 ft lbs (6.75 kgm).
  6. Torque inlet connector to 27 ft lbs (3.8 kgm).
  7. Torque lock nut to 29 ft lbs (4.0 kgm).
  8. Install injector lines; torque fuel line nuts to 17-18 ft lbs (2.3-2.5 kgm).
  9. Bleed fuel system, start engine, check for leaks.

Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.

Parts cataloged across the Northern Lights 6140 family

8
Part #DescriptionCategory
24-25002Air Filter ElementAir filter
24-250024Air filterAir filter
24-15001Coolant filterCoolant filter
24-55001Fuel filterFuel filter
FF202Fuel, Spin-OnFuel filter
L6140AL2individual cylinder head with gasketGasket
LF747LubeLube filter
24-04801Oil filterOil filter

Parts cataloged across all variants of this engine family — verify the exact part fits your specific variant and serial number before ordering.

Common questions

Which generators use the Northern Lights M6140AL engine?

The Northern Lights M6140AL powers 1 generator set(s), including Northern Lights M6140A.

What is a common problem with the Northern Lights M6140AL engine?

A commonly reported issue on generators using the Northern Lights M6140AL is: Warning or shutdown is activated and the temperature gauge shows temperature within normal temperature range. Cause: Engine oil level may be low. Fix: Check the engine crankcase oil level. If the oil level is low, fill with recommended lubricating oil and restart. Watch the oil pressure gauge carefully and shut off the engine if it does not show a normal reading after a few seconds of operation..