I wondered what was the failure mode of these, and the best answer I saw was that some control panel switches exposed to the elements were either corroding or sticking and holding the relays (early MDI revisions also susceptible to vibration) or mosfets (later MDI revisions) in the on position and burning different parts of the MDI out depending on which switch got stuck. Someone recommended mounting the EDC Panel inside to prevent future failures, or making your own replacement with additional MDI bypass switches.
yes i would not and there is no reson for that mdi to be mounted on the engine block too hot too much vibration mounted remote to the engine wont effect its function just longer cables and those dam Deutsch plugs
@@Expedition_Tranquilo It's well known to do this get it off the engine .Also it is known the engine stop solenoid needs a diode installed to stop a spike generated by the coil when it shuts off There is also a way to bypass it to start engine (1) Volvo Penta MDI Black Box failure / Emergency Starting - UA-cam
One of the advantages of diesel for marine applications is its simplicity. Huge design flaw if a complex electronic component can't be easily bypassed. My guess is that that may have something to do with emissions regulations? From watching various sailing videos it seems that for serious long-distance cruising that simplicity is your best friend.
That's right, simplicity is the key. The MDI as we understand it is the interface between the controls, the starter motor and a number of sensors. We think it's a money and manufacturing time-saving measure, partially to reduce the number of sensors that would need to be installed.
Problems can't be avoided, don't get too down on it - after a season or two she'll be right! An of course there's a good few folks tooling round on huge boats with no engines. A portable genny would be a good idea along with those spares. Fair winds.
Agree about the portable genny, did start looking at one but ended up investing in a large solar panel on the coachroof which helped greatly. Thanks Harrison!
Pretty sure LaVagabonde had the same/similar issue when they first got their Outremer. If it is the same issue, its not just a dodgy batch because that was quite a while ago now... or the 'batch was huuuuggee!?
That might turn over the engine but not yield an engine start. You might watch the video again, particularly at time 13:20 when El specifically said they did that and there was no engine start due to other MDI commands not going to the engine.
Georges we did try, and Boomer who helped us out used to work on engines on tall ships and is one of the most experienced blue water sailors we've come across, and he couldn't jump start it either. Since then we've made a switch that works around an MDI - see the next video on kitting up.
@@Expedition_Tranquilo idk Boomer... a diesel engine doesn't need electricity to run. Disconnect every wire, jump a battery on the starter. Unless the starter is bad, then you you can start by spinning the flywheel. That is more tricky. Compression is so high you can't do it by hand. You can rig a line around the flywheel tie it to the boom thru the the companionway, go under sail downwind and jibe to give a good kick to that flywheel. It works!
It's not just the Volvo...there are many Yanmar owners in distant locations desperately trying to source and install the control modules for starting and the control computers for EFI systems. I know these type of electronically controlled engines are lighter and more powerful....and are nearly the only ones being used by production yards, but these electronic modules are more prone to vibration damage, and it appears very sensitive to failure from low voltage...something cruising sailors do nearly every day. I repowered with a Cummins, all my friends chose either rebuilt older Yanmars or switched to Beta's and none of us have ever had electronics problems. Yippee!
Sorry to hear about your engine troubles, combined with the broken steering cable and joinery issues are you concerned about build quality? Any regrets in the Hanse 458?
Only concerned about the components as the hull is best in class, certainly stiffer than most of the other major manufacturers. Considering our constraints at the start of our journey, we didn't feel we had the option of looking at 2nd hand yachts for 6 months in Europe before setting off and were limited to buying new which meant we could not look at the Scandinavian yards. But if we had allowed ourselves 6 months to look at used yachts, the significantly better built fit-for-purpose yachts from Scandinavia are better for offshore and bluewater cruising.
I suppose you all have seen the YT video on how to by-pass the mdi box with a simple starter switch....and...thank you for your honest comments on the state of "happiness" in Antiqua...funny isn't .... money can't make you happy...that comes from your inner soul...me thinks...same type of thing at my boat dock...some of the folks with the biggest boats are the least friendly and happy...hmm..
You should be able to find the right person to set-up an old school bypass of the MDI for the possibility of this happening in the middle of the Pacific..
Yeah that's exactly what I did in Antigua from parts I got at the chandlers. It's a shame Volvo didn't do a recall earlier or at least let everyone know of a potential issue as we'd be ready with one and not get stuck in Nevis. It meant we missed catching up with friends, but then that's sailing, you can't have firm plans! - F
Similar issues with failing ABS modules mounted to close to hotter running late model engines mainly European sedans Also the overcharging is highly problematic , internal component failure.
Hi Stephen, sometimes even the wind sock over the microphone has trouble dealing with 30+ knot winds! And the gopro which we use when we need our hands free just doesn't have the best sound quality..
We had a MDI failure on a 3 year old Volvo D2-55 with less than 100 hours. Volvo doesn’t give a stuff about its’ customers hence no recall. I would never buy a Volvo marine engine again. MDI unit replaced and control panel failed. Volvo crap. I installed a bypass ignition switch as I am sure it will fail again.
There should be nothing electrical or electronic except a battery and starter required to run a small marine diesel. I re engines a Morgan OI 41 in 1986 with a Perkins 4 236. It had an electric fuel shutoff. I got rid of even that and hooked up the old shutoff cable. Sorry that this lesson has been forgotten. You can even use a screwdriver (once ! ) to bypass a starter solenoid. That MDI will fail again so you must have a robust backup. After the Panama Canal there will be no Volvo Penta mechanics.
@@leeoldershaw956 Exactly right! It totally surprised and shocked us that there even was something like an MDI, certainly the courses don't cover them! and the Volvo Penta owners manual certainly doesn't state what it is or what it does... Fil did pull together a manual switch to get around the MDI in case this one and the spare we got a few days later in Martinique both failed - and yes it's the Pacific we're mindful of!
Volvo Marine engines are much less reliable than Yanmar, if I had to buy a boat, I wouldn't take a Volvo engine ... !! too many problems and very expensive parts ... !!
Except for Beta, which we installed when our yanmar blew up. Other choices were all common rail. No thanks. I Wil burn an extra half pint of diesel but I'm able to run on 3 cylinders out of the 4 and get home. Common rail on recreational boats is asking for trouble as these engines age. Sometimes it's a good idea till put into service. Hope you fix it and stays that way.
@@magdakaniewski Thanks, yes forgot about Beta, certainly worth looking at. As sailing yachts, we don't burn through that much fuel in any case, we'd rather have the reliability and ability to fix issues ourselves, and yes be able to run < 4 cylinders!!
It's kewl to see your boy so knowledgeable about boating! Your's just jumps right in and does what he has to do! Love it! Fair winds to you!!!
Yes and he loves catching up with other yachts and seeing how they do things!
Got the same boat, glad we went for the Yanmar ! Phew. In general very pleased with the boat based in Greece 👍
Yes Yanmar would have been much better, unfortunately was not an option when we placed our order.
Well Fil, I'm feeling happy..because I'm enjoying your videos..
I think your analysis is spot on..
Cheers from Toronto.
Awesome, thanks Guenther, glad to hear it!!
interesting comments about the feel about the place
Now on our fourth MDI Volvo did not want to know.I have now a override cutting out the mdi A good sparky should help you out with a simple override
Yeah we pulled together one ourselves with components from the Antigua chandlers. Couldn't afford the engine not starting heading into coral atolls!
Wow...so much for fancy new....
...never had a problem with my ancient '83 Universal 5411 diesel...guess I'll count my blessings! 😮
Yeah tell us about it! We'd rather have the Volvo Penta from 10 years back without any black box electronics, etc... Or a Yanmar or Beta!!
I wondered what was the failure mode of these, and the best answer I saw was that some control panel switches exposed to the elements were either corroding or sticking and holding the relays (early MDI revisions also susceptible to vibration) or mosfets (later MDI revisions) in the on position and burning different parts of the MDI out depending on which switch got stuck. Someone recommended mounting the EDC Panel inside to prevent future failures, or making your own replacement with additional MDI bypass switches.
yes i would not and there is no reson for that mdi to be mounted on the engine block too hot too much vibration mounted remote to the engine wont effect its function just longer cables and those dam Deutsch plugs
We built our own bypass switch, and got a spare MDI a few days later in Martinique, can't afford the engine not starting coming into reefs.
id be so mad a brand new boat with all these issues I hope you wrote a strongly worded letter
Suggest moving the MDI off yr engine and onto a nearby bulkhead. They seem to last longer when away from the heat and vibration of the engine block.
Good idea Chris, thanks!
@@Expedition_Tranquilo It's well known to do this get it off the engine .Also it is known the engine stop solenoid needs a diode installed to stop a spike generated by the coil when it shuts off
There is also a way to bypass it to start engine (1) Volvo Penta MDI Black Box failure / Emergency Starting - UA-cam
One of the advantages of diesel for marine applications is its simplicity. Huge design flaw if a complex electronic component can't be easily bypassed. My guess is that that may have something to do with emissions regulations?
From watching various sailing videos it seems that for serious long-distance cruising that simplicity is your best friend.
That's right, simplicity is the key. The MDI as we understand it is the interface between the controls, the starter motor and a number of sensors. We think it's a money and manufacturing time-saving measure, partially to reduce the number of sensors that would need to be installed.
Problems can't be avoided, don't get too down on it - after a season or two she'll be right! An of course there's a good few folks tooling round on huge boats with no engines. A portable genny would be a good idea along with those spares. Fair winds.
Agree about the portable genny, did start looking at one but ended up investing in a large solar panel on the coachroof which helped greatly. Thanks Harrison!
Pretty sure LaVagabonde had the same/similar issue when they first got their Outremer. If it is the same issue, its not just a dodgy batch because that was quite a while ago now... or the 'batch was huuuuggee!?
Probably the same batch, Tranquilo and LV 2 are similar year models.
You know you can just jump the engine starter to get the engine going?
That might turn over the engine but not yield an engine start. You might watch the video again, particularly at time 13:20 when El specifically said they did that and there was no engine start due to other MDI commands not going to the engine.
@@blueboats7530 nope. You can start by jumping.
Georges we did try, and Boomer who helped us out used to work on engines on tall ships and is one of the most experienced blue water sailors we've come across, and he couldn't jump start it either. Since then we've made a switch that works around an MDI - see the next video on kitting up.
@@Expedition_Tranquilo idk Boomer... a diesel engine doesn't need electricity to run. Disconnect every wire, jump a battery on the starter. Unless the starter is bad, then you you can start by spinning the flywheel. That is more tricky. Compression is so high you can't do it by hand. You can rig a line around the flywheel tie it to the boom thru the the companionway, go under sail downwind and jibe to give a good kick to that flywheel. It works!
It's not just the Volvo...there are many Yanmar owners in distant locations desperately trying to source and install the control modules for starting and the control computers for EFI systems. I know these type of electronically controlled engines are lighter and more powerful....and are nearly the only ones being used by production yards, but these electronic modules are more prone to vibration damage, and it appears very sensitive to failure from low voltage...something cruising sailors do nearly every day.
I repowered with a Cummins, all my friends chose either rebuilt older Yanmars or switched to Beta's and none of us have ever had electronics problems. Yippee!
100%! We'd definitely go with Beta if we have the choice. And now it's all common rail, which is just asking for trouble.
Sorry to hear about your engine troubles, combined with the broken steering cable and joinery issues are you concerned about build quality? Any regrets in the Hanse 458?
Only concerned about the components as the hull is best in class, certainly stiffer than most of the other major manufacturers. Considering our constraints at the start of our journey, we didn't feel we had the option of looking at 2nd hand yachts for 6 months in Europe before setting off and were limited to buying new which meant we could not look at the Scandinavian yards. But if we had allowed ourselves 6 months to look at used yachts, the significantly better built fit-for-purpose yachts from Scandinavia are better for offshore and bluewater cruising.
I suppose you all have seen the YT video on how to by-pass the mdi box with a simple starter switch....and...thank you for your honest comments on the state of "happiness" in Antiqua...funny isn't .... money can't make you happy...that comes from your inner soul...me thinks...same type of thing at my boat dock...some of the folks with the biggest boats are the least friendly and happy...hmm..
No not that video but yes we did pull together a bypass switch in Antigua.
You should be able to find the right person to set-up an old school bypass of the MDI for the possibility of this happening in the middle of the Pacific..
Yeah that's exactly what I did in Antigua from parts I got at the chandlers. It's a shame Volvo didn't do a recall earlier or at least let everyone know of a potential issue as we'd be ready with one and not get stuck in Nevis. It meant we missed catching up with friends, but then that's sailing, you can't have firm plans! - F
Similar issues with failing ABS modules mounted to close to hotter running late model engines mainly European sedans Also the overcharging is highly problematic , internal component failure.
Yes some think that it's spikes in the current that causes the MDIs to fail.
On my second MDI on a Volvo Penta D1-30. Disgraceful design flaw in such an important item! And a £550 bill that Volvo didn’t want to help with!
Yes, many consider Volvo Penta's whole approach to handling this issue disgraceful.
Bernard failed to finish, he just kept going after Cape Horn to Cape of Good Hope.
yes that's exactly right! correcting El by saying he was leading at the time was only half the story. Thanks!
I am enjoying your videos but you need to do something with your Microphone as the wind noise is terrible.
Hi Stephen, sometimes even the wind sock over the microphone has trouble dealing with 30+ knot winds! And the gopro which we use when we need our hands free just doesn't have the best sound quality..
We had a MDI failure on a 3 year old Volvo D2-55 with less than 100 hours. Volvo doesn’t give a stuff about its’ customers hence no recall. I would never buy a Volvo marine engine again. MDI unit replaced and control panel failed. Volvo crap. I installed a bypass ignition switch as I am sure it will fail again.
Yes that exactly how we feel! And we also made a bypass switch just in case
Seems like Phil had the disease of envy, not the other way around.
Nah I'm all good, have everything I need (apart from a bulletproof yacht), thanks Wally! - Fil
I think Wally has some envy issues!
Hey Phil, I would like to know what u were saying off camera regarding Volvo and the MDI?
YOUR LUCKY YOU DONT HAVE A LAGOON 45
Why?
@@Expedition_Tranquilo check the latest from Parlay Revival bulkhead news
fuel solinoid
Considered that but no, and engine control panel not working which pointed to MDI
@@Expedition_Tranquilo mdi controls the fuel solenoid that's why the short jump-start doesn't all ow engine to fire
@@ozlakota1 Right got it, initially thought you meant the solinoid was the issue. Yes, that's exactly it!
There should be nothing electrical or electronic except a battery and starter required to run a small marine diesel. I re engines a Morgan OI 41 in 1986 with a Perkins 4 236. It had an electric fuel shutoff. I got rid of even that and hooked up the old shutoff cable. Sorry that this lesson has been forgotten. You can even use a screwdriver (once ! ) to bypass a starter solenoid. That MDI will fail again so you must have a robust backup. After the Panama Canal there will be no Volvo Penta mechanics.
@@leeoldershaw956 Exactly right! It totally surprised and shocked us that there even was something like an MDI, certainly the courses don't cover them! and the Volvo Penta owners manual certainly doesn't state what it is or what it does...
Fil did pull together a manual switch to get around the MDI in case this one and the spare we got a few days later in Martinique both failed - and yes it's the Pacific we're mindful of!
The wind noise from your microphone is spoiling your narration to camera. You need a lollipop cover. JB
Thanks John, we've had issues with the microphone which did have a wind shield, hopefully it's sorted out now!
Yay First
If you want to make money, become Volvo parts dealer. They are by far the worst marine engine. Phil
Sad to say that's probably true....
so buy the last one old fella has left
His was the 4th last out of a batch of 65 in the West Indies. We bought the 3rd last the week after as our spare...
Volvo Marine engines are much less reliable than Yanmar, if I had to buy a boat, I wouldn't take a Volvo engine ... !! too many problems and very expensive parts ... !!
Totally agree! Bit of a concern they're all going common rail though...
Except for Beta, which we installed when our yanmar blew up. Other choices were all common rail. No thanks. I Wil burn an extra half pint of diesel but I'm able to run on 3 cylinders out of the 4 and get home. Common rail on recreational boats is asking for trouble as these engines age.
Sometimes it's a good idea till put into service. Hope you fix it and stays that way.
@@magdakaniewski Thanks, yes forgot about Beta, certainly worth looking at. As sailing yachts, we don't burn through that much fuel in any case, we'd rather have the reliability and ability to fix issues ourselves, and yes be able to run < 4 cylinders!!
You do know they give Volvo's away & make there profits from spare parts , A Yanmar Joke
Sadly may be some truth to this!
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