My boat has a distinct diesel odor which phas permeated the interior cushions, and within a couple of weeks will permeate and clothing brought aboard. There are no apparent leaks in or around the engine, and I'm very careful with spillage when changing fuel filters. I can think of four possibilities: 1) a leak or permeation of the filler hose, or feeder hoses (although I see nothing in the bilges). 2) a leak in the exhaust system - although nothing is noticeable when the engine is in operation. 3) the hose to the exterior tank vent may have come of a fitting or is compromised. 4) pinhole leaks on the aluminum fuel tank welds (a friend recommended this). Their is a some odor nearer the tank -- otherwise, there is no noticeable odor in the boat (other than that in the fabrics over time). Has anyone had a similar experience, and what was your remedy?
- Status
Smell of DIESEL in the mornin'
Tim, How old are your hoses? Change the vent fuel, and supply line to the racor with USCG approved A-1 hose and clean up the bilge, your done.
Tim, How old are your hoses? Change the vent fuel, and supply line to the racor with USCG approved A-1 hose and clean up the bilge, your done.
Whatever the source, this is the cure
To get rid of any odor permanently, you have to find the source and eliminate it. Once you have, there's a product called PureAyre http://www.pureayre.com that, when sprayed on every surface and into cushions enough to penetrate to middle of 'em, will eliminate ALL the remaining odor. I'd have to read the directions again, but I THINK it'll even take it out of clothing when added to the washer...but don't hold me to that. If it doesn't, spray 'em with it first and let 'em dry. I don't have any vested interested in PureAyre...I tripped over it at a boat show a couple of years ago and brought some home to test. The stuff WORKS! It's the only product I've found that not only gets rid of organically caused odors, but also smoke and diesel odors.
To get rid of any odor permanently, you have to find the source and eliminate it. Once you have, there's a product called PureAyre http://www.pureayre.com that, when sprayed on every surface and into cushions enough to penetrate to middle of 'em, will eliminate ALL the remaining odor. I'd have to read the directions again, but I THINK it'll even take it out of clothing when added to the washer...but don't hold me to that. If it doesn't, spray 'em with it first and let 'em dry. I don't have any vested interested in PureAyre...I tripped over it at a boat show a couple of years ago and brought some home to test. The stuff WORKS! It's the only product I've found that not only gets rid of organically caused odors, but also smoke and diesel odors.
diesel smell
I had that same issue; turns out that when taking on fuel I was getting so much fuel that it would rise up into the fuel hose and sit there. There were no leaks, but the fuel just sitting in the hose would permeate the hose, making the whole inside of the boat smell like diesel fuel. Once I'd used up enough fuel that it no longer was in the filler hose, the smell would go away. I've since found out how much to take on to give me a full tank, but not fill the hose up to the deck fitting. No more smell.
I had that same issue; turns out that when taking on fuel I was getting so much fuel that it would rise up into the fuel hose and sit there. There were no leaks, but the fuel just sitting in the hose would permeate the hose, making the whole inside of the boat smell like diesel fuel. Once I'd used up enough fuel that it no longer was in the filler hose, the smell would go away. I've since found out how much to take on to give me a full tank, but not fill the hose up to the deck fitting. No more smell.
As per Peggy
Pure Ayre available here: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=590 Dave Groshong Customer Service SailboatOwners.com
Pure Ayre available here: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=590 Dave Groshong Customer Service SailboatOwners.com
aluminum tank leaking?
We had some incredibly tiny pinholes in our aluminum fuel tank that caused quite a strong diesel smell in our 37.5 in the fall of 06. This happened right after we filled the tank for the winter. When we examined the area around the bottom of the tank we could see a very small seepage. Unfortunately, we had to replace the tank. When we contacted Hunter, the response was that although uncommon, they had heard of some aluminum fuel tank failures. It doesn't take very much of a leak to cause the kind of odor you describe. Hopefully, this is not the case with your boat. Alice
We had some incredibly tiny pinholes in our aluminum fuel tank that caused quite a strong diesel smell in our 37.5 in the fall of 06. This happened right after we filled the tank for the winter. When we examined the area around the bottom of the tank we could see a very small seepage. Unfortunately, we had to replace the tank. When we contacted Hunter, the response was that although uncommon, they had heard of some aluminum fuel tank failures. It doesn't take very much of a leak to cause the kind of odor you describe. Hopefully, this is not the case with your boat. Alice
If your boat is over 20 years old
it is likely the aluminum fuel tank... Look closely under the tank... It is not uncommon for water to get trapped between the tank and the hull or supports. When this happens pinhole leaks will develop fairly rapidly. Below is one sailor’s story. http://www.wbryant.com/StellaBoat/Projects/fuel/newtank/index.htm Good luck Garner
it is likely the aluminum fuel tank... Look closely under the tank... It is not uncommon for water to get trapped between the tank and the hull or supports. When this happens pinhole leaks will develop fairly rapidly. Below is one sailor’s story. http://www.wbryant.com/StellaBoat/Projects/fuel/newtank/index.htm Good luck Garner
check you hoses...
just like you would do for the head waste hose. Take a rag and rub it on your fuel supply lines and see if it smells like diesel. If they do,there's the problem. I had the same issue and its amazing how bad permeated lines can stink up the interior...vents and air cleaners will help, but they will not fix this problem....replace with quality USCG approved hose (do not skimp) and no more diesel smell.
just like you would do for the head waste hose. Take a rag and rub it on your fuel supply lines and see if it smells like diesel. If they do,there's the problem. I had the same issue and its amazing how bad permeated lines can stink up the interior...vents and air cleaners will help, but they will not fix this problem....replace with quality USCG approved hose (do not skimp) and no more diesel smell.
SAILING SEA DRAGON-GREAT LINK
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
SAILING SEA DRAGON-GREAT LINK
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
SAILING SEA DRAGON-GREAT LINK
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
SAILING SEA DRAGON-GREAT LINK
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
That is a very informative link to "Stella Blue." A picture is worth a thousand words for sure. Thankyou, I really enjoyed that. DPatrick
- Status