Running on empty - literally

P

palle

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2019
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65
Fluid Motion Model
R-21
I ran my C26 empty of fuel while boating yesterday. Yes I know I’m a moron for trusting my fuel gauge which said 38G remaining. TowBoatUS brought 15G of diesel and the engine started and ran fine at low RPMs. All vital signs were good. Pushing the throttle forward to around 2000 RPMs however caused the RPMs to immediately go down under 1000 without any adjustment to the throttle. It felt like the max RPMs were somehow being limited automatically. This produced a “Check Engine” fault. The Warning Manager showed an error code as follows: MID:128 PSID:96 FMI:12 OCC:___ STATUS:INACTIVE.
Explanation of what this error code referees to is not in the manual I have (D3 220) and I can’t find it anywhere searching the web. Anyone know where to find Explanation of this code? Is it possible that the engine behavior I’m seeing can be due to air in the fuel line and I have to bleed it out? If so, what is the procedure? Any other thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
palle":3rz5w6px said:
I ran my C26 empty of fuel while boating yesterday. Yes I know I’m a moron for trusting my fuel gauge which said 38G remaining. TowBoatUS brought 15G of diesel and the engine started and ran fine at low RPMs. All vital signs were good. Pushing the throttle forward to around 2000 RPMs however caused the RPMs to immediately go down under 1000 without any adjustment to the throttle. It felt like the max RPMs were somehow being limited automatically. This produced a “Check Engine” fault. The Warning Manager showed an error code as follows: MID:128 PSID:96 FMI:12 OCC:___ STATUS:INACTIVE.
Explanation of what this error code referees to is not in the manual I have (D3 220) and I can’t find it anywhere searching the web. Anyone know where to find Explanation of this code? Is it possible that the engine behavior I’m seeing can be due to air in the fuel line and I have to bleed it out? If so, what is the procedure? Any other thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Per the workshop manual this code MID 128, PSID 96 - Rail Pressure System, FMI 12 Faulty Device or Component - MPROP (magnetically proportional valve) error. The reasons given are intermittent failure in MPROP Valve cable harness or failure of the MPROP valve. Actions include checking, the MPROP Cables, the contact pressure of the MPROP valve connector, and the MPROP valve coil, and the MPROP valve signal.

Curt
 
The volvo engine is not my bailiwick, however nine times out of ten what you did last is often the culprit. You ran out of fuel, hence you could have a clogged fuel filter and air in the line. Low rail pressure is an indicator of both. I would change your primary filter and then let the engine run at low RPM's for a bit to let any accumulated air work its way out and see what happens.
 
MID 128 means there is an engine code, PSID 96 means it is fuel related, FMI 12 means improper fuel pressure. As stated by Curt and Mike. My guess and solution would be what Mike indicated. Chances are you picked up a some " crud " that was slushing around at the bottom of the tank. The Cutwater fuel tank pick up tube is an 1" off the bottom of the tank. I measured 6 gallons that never gets used and figure my usable fuel to be 72 gallons. Over time that unusable "fuel" will be contaminated with water, sludge, rust (from fuel dock tanks or piping) or what ever else can settle in the bottom of the tank. Anytime a fuel tank gets low the "crud" has a tendency to slush around more and gets pulled up the tube and fouls the filters. Another issue that can happen is the pickup tube has a screen at the bottom it can get fouled. This screen is not needed for diesel fuel tanks. The screen can be removed by pulling the pick up tube out of the tank if that is an issue. (not that easy) but it can be removed. I removed mine. Drain the primary filter (Racor) first and inspect the fuel, replace the filter as previously posted. If you find that the primary is fouled and water and sludge was present, drain the secondary filter ( engine filter) inspect the fuel if there is water present or sludge replace it too. If you don't check that you may experience another code indicating water in the fuel. After fuel filter inspection use the electric fuel pump priming button on the engine to prime the fuel system. I have found that a few intervals holding the button for 10 seconds is sufficient. Hopefully that will resolve the problem. It may have been a code because you ran out of fuel and now inactive. Stoping the engine, power off and battery power off may reset the ECU and fault code should not be present if the issue is resolved. The fault code will still be stored if future diagnosing is needed by a Volvo technician.
 
Curt, Mike, Brian, thanks for your help with the status codes and what the problem might be. Pretty sure as you also indicate it is related to my stupidity of running out of usable fuel. Once I sort it out I’ll update here. It may take a week or so before I have it worked out. Great site, great help on so many different issues!
 
Sounds like you need to bleed the fuel lines.
 
Update: Cleaned the primary fuel filter, replaced the engine fuel filter, primed the fuel system. Volvo tech had to come over to clear the check engine fault (turning engine battery off/on didn’t do it). The tech also updated the software in EVC and 2 other computers located in the engine compartment. Did sea trial and can now go to WOT without any faults popping up. The tech asked where the fuel tank sending unit is located (CW-26) for removal. I don’t know, so am looking for some help on its location and how to remove it. Thank you.
 
The fuel pickups and sending unit are located under a panel located at aft cave bulkhead.
gallery2.php?g2_itemId=52966
gallery2.php?g2_itemId=52942
gallery2.php?g2_itemId=65951

The sending unit is accessible for removal. I removed one of the unused tank ports and installed a tee on the top of the tee is a removable plug. I have a 2' long 1/8" stainless steel tubing stick with tubing fittings on one end. I can put it through the tank fitting and suck all the junk from the bottom of the tank.

I removed the engine pick up tube from the tank and removed the screen. It is not needed for diesel power plants only gas powered because an anti syphon valve is used with Gas power plants.

To help reduce the chance of contamination in my tank I installed a fuel polishing system. This is not really needed but I installed a transfer tank and while doing it I decided to polish the fuel. The tank pickup for auxiliary transfer tank is 1/2" deeper in the tank than the engine fuel pick up to reduce the chance of contaminated fuel entering the engine fuel system
gallery2.php?g2_itemId=52981
 
Brian, thanks for your writeup and great pictures! I see a panel under the mattress in the cave close to the step. Is that the one you are referring to where the sending unit can be accessed?
 
Yes, there are a few screws holding it in place.
 
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