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.
How to read your Northern Lights engine serial & model number →
Compiled from service & troubleshooting documentation across every generator set that uses the Northern Lights M6140AL.
| Item | Action | Hours | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery electrolyte | Check | 50 hr | Every 50 hours or weekly | |
| Engine oil | Change | 250 hr | 6 mo | First service — First 50 hours |
| Lube oil filter | Change | 250 hr | 6 mo | First service — First 50 hours |
| V-belt tension | Check | 50 hr | Every 50 hours or weekly | |
| Battery cables and terminals | Clean | 100 hr | Check and clean every 100 hours | |
| Valve clearances | Check | 750 hr | 12 mo | First service — First 100 hours |
| Air filter | Inspect | 250 hr | 6 mo | Every 250 hours or 6 months |
| Primary fuel filter element | Change | 250 hr | 6 mo | Every 250 hours or 6 months |
| Turbocharger air, oil and cooling lines | Check | 250 hr | 6 mo | Every 250 hours or 6 months |
| Zinc electrodes | Check | 250 hr | 6 mo | HE engines only |
| Coolant filter | Change | 500 hr | 12 mo | First service — First 500 hours |
| Air filter | Replace | 750 hr | 12 mo | Every 750 hours or yearly |
| Battery condition | Test | 750 hr | 12 mo | Hydrometer; every 750 hours or yearly |
| Cooling system | Check | 750 hr | 12 mo | Check and flush every 750 hours or yearly |
| Injectors | Check | 750 hr | 12 mo | Every 750 hours or yearly |
| Seawater pump impeller | Change | 750 hr | 12 mo | Every 750 hours or yearly |
| Secondary fuel filter | Change | 750 hr | 12 mo | Every 750 hours or yearly |
| Turbocharger boost pressure | Check | 750 hr | 12 mo | Every 750 hours or yearly |
| Fuel injection pump | Check | 2400 hr | Every 2400 hours | |
| Gear oil cooler | Clean | 2400 hr | 12 mo | Every 2400 hours or yearly; propulsion only |
| Heat exchanger | Clean | 2400 hr | 12 mo | Every 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.
| Type | Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance | V-belt deflection | 3/8 | in | midpoint between crankshaft and alternator pulleys; 10mm |
| Injection timing | Injection timing | 27 ±1 | ° BTDC | No. 1 cylinder; 24° on 600HP Luggers |
| Other | Maximum installed operating angle | 10° rear down, 0° front down | degrees | |
| Other | Maximum operating angle | 35 | degrees | any direction for less than 2 minutes |
| Other | Supplemental coolant additive rate | 3 | % by volume | 30 mL SCA per liter H2O/EGC mixture |
| Pressure | Coolant filler cap release pressure | 7 | PSI | approximately; 0.5 bar |
| Pressure | Generator set oil pressure | above 29 | PSI | operating |
| Pressure | Maximum exhaust back pressure | 30 | in H2O | |
| Pressure | Propulsion engine oil pressure | above 15 | PSI | operating; never below 15 PSI |
| Speed | Low idle | 750 | RPM | |
| Speed | Maximum working engine speed, continuous duty | 1800 | RPM | |
| Speed | Maximum working engine speed, light commercial craft | 2100 | RPM | |
| Speed | Maximum working engine speed, pleasure craft | 2100 | RPM | |
| Temperature | Exhaust temperature maximum | 975 | °F | maximum; 510°C |
| Temperature | Maximum raw-water inlet temperature | 100 | °F | 37°C |
| Temperature | Water temperature maximum | 205 | °F | shut down if exceeded; 96°C |
| Torque | Fuel delivery line sleeve nuts | 16-18 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Fuel line nuts | 17-18 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Injection pump coupling nuts | 43-46 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Injection pump mounting bolts | 49-54 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Injector hold down | 48 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Injector inlet connector | 27 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Injector inlet connector lock nut | 29 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Lubrication line inlet nuts (Fig. 11-4) | 11-14 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Lubrication line outlet nuts (Fig. 11-5) | 18-31 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Valve adjustment lock nut | 47 to 54 | ft lbs | |
| Torque | Valve adjustment lock nut | 7 to 7.5 | kgm | |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust valve clearance | .031 | in | cold |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust valve clearance | .80 | mm | cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake valve clearance | .017 | in | cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake valve clearance | .43 | mm | cold |
| Voltage | DC voltmeter | 13 to 14 | V | at 60°F (16°C) ambient |
| Voltage | DC voltmeter, 24 volt systems | 26-28 | V | at 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.
| Fluid | Grade | Standard | Ambient | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coolant | 50% ethylene glycol concentrate / 50% water optimum; minimum 40% EGC; maximum 60% EGC | ASTM D 4985P; SAE J1941; GM1899M; GM6038M | 38.0 L | Use low-silicate EGC and supplemental coolant additives; do not use methyl alcohol or methoxy propanol base EGC | |
| Engine oil | SAE-5W or SAE 5-20W | API Service CC/CD single-viscosity or CC/CD/SF multi-viscosity | below -23°C | 38.0 L | Below -10°F (-23°C) |
| Engine oil | SAE-10W or SAE 10-30W | API Service CC/CD single-viscosity or CC/CD/SF multi-viscosity | -23°C to 0°C | 38.0 L | -10 to 32°F (-23 to 0°C) |
| Engine oil | SAE-30W or SAE 15-40W | API Service CC/CD single-viscosity or CC/CD/SF multi-viscosity | above 0°C | 38.0 L | Above 32°F |
| Fuel | No. 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 45 | Do not use domestic heating oils, Class B, Class D, Class E/F/G/H, or ASTM-D975-60T No. 4-D and higher | ||
| Other | Supplemental 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.
Tools: Breaker bar, 19mm or 3/4 inch socket, Feeler gauge
⚠ Escaping diesel fuel under pressure can penetrate skin.
⚠ Overtightening can damage filter housing.
Tools: Filter wrench
⚠ Cooling water is extremely hot; allow engine to cool before working.
⚠ Keep spare impeller and cover gasket onboard.
Tools: Two screwdrivers
⚠ Battery gas can explode; keep flames and sparks away.
⚠ Do not crank starter more than 20 seconds.
⚠ Never race a cold engine.
⚠ Do not turn battery switch OFF while engine is running.
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
| Part # | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 24-25002 | Air Filter Element | Air filter |
| 24-250024 | Air filter | Air filter |
| 24-15001 | Coolant filter | Coolant filter |
| 24-55001 | Fuel filter | Fuel filter |
| FF202 | Fuel, Spin-On | Fuel filter |
| L6140AL2 | individual cylinder head with gasket | Gasket |
| LF747 | Lube | Lube filter |
| 24-04801 | Oil filter | Oil filter |
Parts cataloged across all variants of this engine family — verify the exact part fits your specific variant and serial number before ordering.
The Northern Lights M6140AL powers 1 generator set(s), including Northern Lights M6140A.
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..