Diesel odor

Status
Not open for further replies.
Aug 3, 2009
10
2 27 Grand Isle, VT
Purchased a 2005 27 last summer. When we put up boat for the winter we removed all cushions these have strong diesel smell. The boat has a new motor, before we purchased it had been replaced under warranty. I guess the motor cracked and diesel leaked into the bilge. My question has anyone had luck cleaning or removing the odor from the cushions? Should we clean the bilge and how ?:naughty:
 
Jan 22, 2008
1,483
Hunter 37 C sloop Punta Gorda FL
I have heard, no personal experience, that fabric softer like febreeze (sp?) will end the smell
 

Clark

.
Jun 30, 2004
886
Hunter 280 Lake Guntersville, AL
Do a search in the archives for "diesel smell" or "diesel odor" or "diesel cushion". Peggie Hall has provided a good writeup on how to do that.

Generally, the bilge needs to be cleaned thoroughly with water and (a little) soap and a scrub brush. Let dry and spray liberally with PureAyre - let dry. For the cushions, you can try removing them; spray completely again with PureAyre and let dry. That should work unless there was an actual spill on the cushions. If that is the case, you'll have to remove the covers and clean them as well as spraying the foam down with the stuff. PureAyre is safe for most everything and is not supposed to leave a stain. There is an Expert forum where Peggie Hall has a section called The Head Mistress and lots of info there on sanitation systems, odor treatments and the like.
 
Last edited:
B

bob c g

Marina store

Ask Tammy about the Orange Flavored cleaner they sell at the store, it completely removed the diesel smell from my 31 after a banjo fitting leaked
 

schowy

.
Aug 5, 2009
4
2 Vision 32 Shores of Leech Lake
Re: Marina store

For what its worth, I was told mouth wash can work to remove the odor from the bilge.
 

Benny

.
Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
Bilge odor usually comes from the mildew and bacteria that thrives under the sole liner. There is no easy answer to combat it but this is what I do, I deactivate the bilge pump and fill the bilge with a 50% mix of a floor cleaner/desinfectant and fresh water. Filling an empty bilge will cause the mixture to sip back into the undersole comparments. Then I'll go sailing and let that slosh around. The next step is to use an electric pump to remove the mix from the bilge for disposal. A short rinse with fresh water, remove and then turn the bilge pump back on. I do it twice a year and has kept our bilge odor free.
 

Ed A

.
Sep 27, 2008
333
Hunter 37c Tampa
or as my buddy says you can mix up some summers eve. douche and it will kill any odors in the bildge
 
Jun 21, 2009
110
Hunter 27 Sparrows Point
or as my buddy says you can mix up some summers eve. douche and it will kill any odors in the bildge
Gotta admit, Ed A, this one got my attention. ;) Can just imagine the comments from the Admiral when I stop in the femanine products section of the grocery store...
 
Jan 30, 2010
21
Hunter 33 St. Joseph, Michigan
I had the same problem with a Cal 25. I had them professionally steam cleaned by a carpet cleaning comp. The company was named "Stanley Steamer" which is a franchise.
The kid that did it told me that "deodorized" them twice. They came out very nice. Cost me $65.00 for all the cushions.
John
 

Fnovak

.
Sep 29, 2008
4
- - -
I took my H27 1981 cushions for a "swim" in the pool. The cholrine got rid of 29 years of smells. Make sure you stomp on them underwater to thoroughly saturate the entire cushion. I squeezed them out best I could and laid them out in the hammock to dry. Worked well for me.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.