diesel fuel smell in cabin

[sailorkoop]

I was told Peggie here could answer my question.....I was on a 1986 hunter 25.5 yesterday because i was thinking of buying it. The cabin reeked of diesel fuel. When i asked about it, the owner said it was normal and you just get used to it. I won't!......I can't imagine trying to sleep in what smells like a fuel dump. Is this normal in boats with diesel engines??....It sure takes away from the beauty of sailing.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Is this normal in boats with diesel engines??.

No, it's not. Anybody says it is simply means they can't fix a leak.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

As I 'm sure you'll hear many times here, a well maintained diesel system will have no fuel smell whatsoever. Unfortunately, the boat is the product of a major or just continuous fuel leak. Offer the guy next to nothing for the boat (no one else will offer anything) and look at investing the saved money on fixing the leak and scrubbing out the bilge. It may be worth it if the boat is otherwise in good condition.

 

[Stu Jackson]

That's a generally good idea, Ralph, 'ceptin' for a 25 foot boat I don't think he could get enough "off" the price to warrant it. For instance, replacement cushions alone could be more than the boat is worth.

 

[zeehag]

i still say---RUN .......run FAST!!!!!!! run AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
could be spensive ... could be cheap--why take it on--will make ye sick before ye can fix it and sour ye on sailing......


n;731654]No, it's no

or find it......sometimes they are hard to find if you do not know where to look....and time is money, after all..lol..

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'm guessing there was a spill

And that--unless the current owner is also the original owner--it happened before he bought the boat. And that HE fell for the seller's line that it's "normal." It's even possible that more than one PO has fallen for that line and they just keep passing it on...'cuz the boat IS 25 years old!

If I'm right, and if you REALLY love the boat AND the price is right...make 100% certain there is no leak...and if that's the only problem, buy it. 'Cuz a couple of gallons of PureAyre PureAyre properly applied will get rid of all the odor, even in the cushions. It's the only thing I've found that'll not only get rid "organic" odors like sewage spills etc, but also smoke and DIESEL! The stuff works!

You might want to pay a surveyor and/or diesel mechanic (not one recommended by the seller though!) to make sure there really is no leak and help you find the source of the odor...a couple hundred $$ for their time, especially if you can negotiate the selling price down enough to cover it, is a good investment.