diesel fuel smell in cabin

[sailorkoop]

Is it common for sailboats with diesel engines for the cabin to always smell like diesel fuel?...I was on a 25.5 hunter yesterday and was thinking of buying it but the smell in the cabin was so strong i'm not sure i could spend any time down there......the owner said you just get used to it......Is this just the way it is??

thanks,

 

[Alan]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! If you're smelling fuel then there is a leak. Your friend needs to locate the leak and repair it. If left unrepaired this will only turn into a larger problem not to mention the harm it is doing to his health.

 

[sailorkoop]

thanks a lot!

my instincts were correct i guess. Thanks so much for your help!........I will be discussing this with him today!

 

[sailorkoop]

Milldew??

So now i've talked to the owner again and he says there is no leak...He says i'm either smelling mildew or diesel from when there was a leak last year......Could this be mildew and how hard is that to get rid of?

tHANKS!!

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! If you're smelling fuel then there is a leak. Your friend needs to locate the leak and repair it. If left unrepaired this will only turn into a larger problem not to mention the harm it is doing to his health.

 

[Alan]

The smell of diesel is unmistakable. If you're unsure take a smell of the fuel tank fill. If it's mildew then there's a problem with water and poor air circulation. The interior needs a good cleaning of all surfaces. A mild solution of beach will kill mildew. Better ventilation will be needed if that's the case.

 

[zds]

Skip the bleach - too much risk of damage to porous surfaces. I use straight white distilled vinegar on a rag. Make sure to encourage plenty of ventilation for it to evaporate. The smell is initially unbearable but once it dries out it's fine.

 

[fifedog]

It's a leak (or former leak) of some sort. See if he has any old absorbant pads in the bilge. Those would definitely trap that smell until removed.

 

[sailorkoop]

Great comments!!...thanks for all your help.....I've determined it really is mildew...the boat had been shrinkwrapped outside for 2 years. Also, pureayre....http://www.pureayre.com/marine.htm. was recommended to me...looks like good stuff!

thanks again!!

sailorkoop

 

[jtm]

You can try some Fabreeze on the cushions- but to keep the smells out (assuming you've stopped any oil leak and/or clean flushed the area between the ribs) go get a nicro 1000 solar vent- or similar - the 1000 only runs during the day - and it sips the air in the boat all winter too- it has made a marked difference to the ambiance of my boat- don't smell much(if any) of the teak oil I used on the interior woodwork. I cut it into and mounted it on the small mid cabin hatch on the H28.5.