Have been seeking source of odor on our H37.5 for months. It is definitely not associated with the head or its related components. My packing gland does not leak so the only source of water in the bilge is condensation from the A/C. It is difficult to describe the odor, almost a diesel smell, no, more like oil, but not as strong. Have checked the engine, no leaks there. So I go back to the A/C. I was just recently made aware that allowing condensation from the A/C to drain into the bilge is not a good idea. Even though I treat the water in the bilge I cannot get rid of this odor. Any suggestions would certainly be appreciated. Oh BTW we live aboard so the A/C runs 24/7.
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Dry Bilges
Dry bilges don't smell if they start out clean. Put in a shower sump box and feed all your drain hoses to it. By this I mean, A/C drain, ice box drain, and any other drain that is plumbed into the bilge. Pump this box overboard and that should solve all the bilge smells. Sometimes you will need to flush KO diluted with water through your bilge areas in case there are any pockets where water can collect. This will stop future smells. A dry bilge is a clean bilge. If you have a diesel smell use the KO in the engine compartment also. I keep oil pads under my engine to soak up any fuel or oil leaks before they have a chance to flow into the bilge.
Dry bilges don't smell if they start out clean. Put in a shower sump box and feed all your drain hoses to it. By this I mean, A/C drain, ice box drain, and any other drain that is plumbed into the bilge. Pump this box overboard and that should solve all the bilge smells. Sometimes you will need to flush KO diluted with water through your bilge areas in case there are any pockets where water can collect. This will stop future smells. A dry bilge is a clean bilge. If you have a diesel smell use the KO in the engine compartment also. I keep oil pads under my engine to soak up any fuel or oil leaks before they have a chance to flow into the bilge.
Try this
1. Count the number of known openings. 2. Powder them liberally with baking soda. 3. Follow with vinegar to fiz it all up. 4. Follow with boiling or hot water. 5. Pump out the bilge and dry it out.
1. Count the number of known openings. 2. Powder them liberally with baking soda. 3. Follow with vinegar to fiz it all up. 4. Follow with boiling or hot water. 5. Pump out the bilge and dry it out.
Better yet...
clean your bilge! I don't mean dump whatever you've been using to "treat" it (useless) or another witch's brew...I mean really CLEAN it--with a strong solution of detergent and water, followed by THOROUGHLY rinsing out ALL the dirty water...and that followed by using whatever it takes--wet vac, manual pump, sponge and bucket--to remove all the water left behind by the bilge pumps so that your bilge can dry out. Do that at least once a year and you'll be amazed at how much better your boat will smell.
clean your bilge! I don't mean dump whatever you've been using to "treat" it (useless) or another witch's brew...I mean really CLEAN it--with a strong solution of detergent and water, followed by THOROUGHLY rinsing out ALL the dirty water...and that followed by using whatever it takes--wet vac, manual pump, sponge and bucket--to remove all the water left behind by the bilge pumps so that your bilge can dry out. Do that at least once a year and you'll be amazed at how much better your boat will smell.
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