OceanSphereFree accountLog inDEENPL
OceanSphereENGINES
Library› Engine Room› Main Engines (4-Stroke)› Main Engine 4-Stroke› Wärtsilä 12W14

12W14

Main Engine 4-Stroke · Main Engines (4-Stroke)

Technical data from manufacturer or class sources · not yet verified by a person
1,980 kWPower
12Cylinders
135 mmBore
165 mmStroke

Marine engineers rely on powerful and reliable engines to keep vessels running efficiently. Wärtsilä's 12W14 engine is designed specifically for this demanding role. This powerful engine boasts a 1980 kW output, fueled by MGO and featuring a 12-cylinder, L-configuration layout with a bore of 135 mm and a stroke of 165 mm. It operates at a speed of 1800 rpm and incorporates turbocharging with an intercooler for enhanced performance. The 12W14 benefits from a sophisticated design, including a displacement per cylinder of 17 liters, a Mean Effective Pressure (MEP) of 25.5 bar at 900 RPM and 24 bar at 1000 RPM, and a Piston Speed of 9.6 m/s at 900 RPM and 10.7 m/s at 1000 RPM. The engine adheres to IMO Tier II (MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI) emission standards. Wärtsilä has discontinued production of the 12W14, with approximately 720 engines manufactured since a redesign in 1996.

Specifications

Technical data.reference — unverified

Do you have the manufacturer datasheet for this model? Send it with the enquiry form — we check it and name the source.

Displacement per cylinder17.0 liters
Mean Effective Pressure (MEP)25.5 bar (900 RPM) / 24.0 bar (1000 RPM)
Piston Speed9.6 m/s (900 RPM) / 10.7 m/s (1000 RPM)
SFOC (ISO conditions, 85% load)186-192 g/kWh
6L26 weight17.2 tons
8L26 weight21.9 tons
9L26 weight23.6 tons
12V26 weight29 tons
16V26 weight37.9 tons
Power per cylinder (325 kW/cyl)Consistent across all configurations
TurbochargingTurbocharged with intercooler (charge air cooler)
Emission StandardIMO Tier II (MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI)
ConfigurationL
Speed (rpm)1800
Fuel TypeMGO
TechnologyMechanical
Power (kW)1980
Inspection

Inspector Detail ✓ verified

Common issues

  • Piston ring wear and peeling, particularly under continuous low-load operation or with varying fuel quality.
  • Fuel injector nozzle coking, wear, or blockage leading to poor combustion and increased exhaust temperatures.
  • Exhaust valve seat wear, burning, or corrosion, often exacerbated by poor combustion or high exhaust temperatures.
  • Turbocharger bearing wear (axial/radial play) or fouling of compressor/turbine blades.
  • Cylinder liner scuffing or excessive wear due to lubrication issues or abrasive contaminants.
  • Main and connecting rod bearing wear, indicated by increased clearances or abnormal oil analysis results.
  • Fuel pump element wear or timing issues affecting fuel delivery and engine performance.

Inspection checklist

  • Visual inspection for fuel, lube oil, and cooling water leaks from engine block, piping, and auxiliaries.
  • Monitoring and trending of individual cylinder exhaust gas temperatures and turbocharger inlet/outlet temperatures for deviations.
  • Measurement of crankcase pressure and blow-by to assess piston ring and liner condition.
  • Regular lubricating oil analysis (wear metals, TBN, viscosity, water content, insolubles) to track engine health.
  • Inspection of fuel injectors for external coking, leaks, and verification of proper spray pattern (if possible, or by engine performance observation).
  • Checking turbocharger rotor axial and radial clearances, and inspecting compressor/turbine for fouling or damage.
  • Verification of cooling water system integrity: pressure, temperature, expansion tank level, and inhibitor concentration.
  • Inspection of cylinder head components (valves, springs, rotators) for signs of wear, burning, or damage.
  • Assessment of engine mounting bolts, chocks, and vibration dampers for tightness and integrity.

Service intervals

Fuel Injector Overhaul3,000 - 6,000 hours
Exhaust Valve Overhaul6,000 - 12,000 hours
Piston Ring Renewal12,000 - 18,000 hours
Cylinder Head Overhaul12,000 - 18,000 hours
Turbocharger Minor Overhaul12,000 - 18,000 hours
Main/Connecting Rod Bearing Inspection24,000 - 36,000 hours

Typical wear limits

Cylinder Liner Wear (Max Ovality/Taper)0.6 - 0.8 mm
Piston Ring End Gap (Max)1.0 - 1.5 mm (depending on ring type and position)
Crankshaft Deflection (Max between webs)0.03 - 0.05 mm
Main/Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance (Max)0.15 - 0.25 mm (check manufacturer's specific values)
Exhaust Valve Seat Recession (Max)0.8 - 1.2 mm

Ranges are typical for this design class. Always confirm against the manufacturer documentation for your serial number.

Critical spares

  • Complete set of piston rings for at least one cylinder.
  • Fuel injector nozzles (or complete injectors) for 1-2 cylinders.
  • Exhaust valve spindles and seats (or complete valves) for 1-2 cylinders.
  • Main and connecting rod bearing shells (one complete set).
  • Full gasket and O-ring sets for cylinder head and fuel system components.
  • Fuel and lube oil filter elements (multiple sets).
  • High-pressure fuel pipe (one piece).
  • Turbocharger bearing cartridge or repair kit (minor overhaul).

Safety

  • High-pressure fuel line leaks: Risk of fire and serious injury from fuel spray. Ensure proper shielding and regular inspection.
  • Hot surfaces: Exhaust manifold, turbocharger, and other engine components can cause severe burns. Verify insulation integrity.
  • Rotating machinery: Ensure all guards are in place for flywheel, coupling, and power take-offs (PTOs).
  • Crankcase pressure: Monitor for excessive blow-by, which can indicate piston/liner issues and increase the risk of crankcase explosion. Ensure crankcase relief valves are functional.
  • Pressurized systems: Exercise extreme caution when opening cooling water, starting air, or lube oil systems.

Class survey

Class surveyors typically focus on: (1) Verification of engine maintenance records, including running hours, oil analysis reports, and major component renewals. (2) Witnessing engine performance parameters (exhaust gas temperatures, pressures, RPM, fuel consumption if metered) under various loads. (3) Inspection and testing of safety devices (overspeed trip, low lube oil pressure shutdown, high cooling water temperature alarm). (4) Examination of fuel oil system for leaks, proper insulation, and fire fighting arrangements. (5) Inspection of crankcase relief valves and flame traps for functionality. (6) Assessment of engine foundation, mounting bolts, and vibration dampers for tightness and integrity. (7) General visual inspection for leaks, corrosion, and overall cleanliness of the engine and surrounding machinery space.

Estimated lifetime: 80,000 - 120,000 hours before major rebuild/replacement, with proper maintenance and component renewal.

Need this part?

Request a quote for this model.

Free of charge — send us your request for Wärtsilä equipment. Our team checks it and replies by e-mail.

Makers and authorised dealers rarely quote marine equipment without the vessel. With these details we can check availability and prices faster; without them we may have to ask first, which can cost a few days. If you cannot share the vessel, a photo of the equipment’s rating plate does the same job — attach it below or send it as a reply to our confirmation e-mail.

Your contact details are not published. No account required.
Related models

Also in Main Engine 4-Stroke.

Other models of the same equipment type, Wärtsilä first.

By manufacturer MAN Energy SolutionsWärtsiläCaterpillarHiMSENMTUVolvo PentaYanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd.HanshinDaihatsuPielstickMaK (Caterpillar)Rolls-Royce / BergenCaterpillar MaKCumminsMAN Truck & Bus SEAll manufacturersSpare parts by equipmentNew here? Create a free account Can't read the plate? Try the nameplate scanner All Wärtsilä models More like 12W14
Would you like to know more?

A person reads every request and replies by e-mail.

Tell us what you need for this Wärtsilä 12W14 — a part, a service call, a second opinion. Are you Wärtsilä? Claim this brand page.

Service engineer? Write the day report for this 12W14 in OceanSphere Work — photos, hours and parts, as a PDF for the owner. Try it free for 14 days →

Frequently asked

Three things people ask first.

Is this model's data free?

Yes. Specifications, documents and service notes for this model are readable without an account. An account adds saved searches and requests, nothing is taken away.

Can you find a part for this exact model?

Yes. Tell us the manufacturer, the model and what you need — a person reads every request and replies by e-mail.

The specifications look wrong — what now?

Send us the nameplate or the correct value. We check it against the manufacturer datasheet or class-society record and update the page.