Scary burning smell

[Old Sailor 2]

Folks please help calm my concerns. 1992 Hunter 42 Passage. Saturday while returning from a great sail the wind died so my wife and I decided to motor sail back to our marina. We cranked up old bessie and turned on the blower to dissipate some heat and headed in. We had used the engine but not the blower when we headed out for our sail hours before. On our return after about 30 minutes of motor sailing I noticed a "hot" smell. I went below to check it out and could not determine a source or even if it was a hot spot anywhere. We continued motoring and the smell continued. I turned off the blower and motored quIte nervously into the slip. Once all was secured and the engine shut down the hot burning smell dissipated.

Recent activities include replacing the stuffing box and packing as well as a new drive plate in the transmission. I rarely use the blower and especially not for this long. The smell was not an electrical insulation smell and the alternator was on and charging without indications of any unordinary operation. I am wondering if the packing was installed and adjusted too tight would that "burn in" causing the smell. If so I wonder why the smell wasn't evident during our motoring out to sail. So my other thought is did the blower fan simply burn up. Initially when I shut it down it sounded strange but later after it cooled it sounded normal. I did not remove the sink cabinet floor to check the blower but plan to do so next weekend.

So, boat fire being a VERY SCARY thing for me, and understanding some things mechanical I wonder if this was due to 1) new stuffing box/packing, 2) burned up blower fan or bearings or 3) something electrical ( again it was not the putrid insulation smell but more like a wood burning smell).

Any advice or similar experiences I can learn from you folks would be appreciated!

Sandy

 

[Stu Jackson]

Sorry to hear about your issue. Hope you can find the issue. The internet is not an appropriate place to diagnose sounds, smells, tastes, or electrical issues with pictures but no wiring diagrams.

The best advice is to be methodical. Take each of your "possibilities" one at a time. Really, only ONE at a time.

Someone gave me good advice a long time ago: when you have issues or or changing filters (for example), try only one fix at a time, 'cuz if something works or doesn't, you simply won't know which one it was (or wasn't).

Good luck.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Sorry to hear about your issue. Hope you can find the issue. The internet is not an appropriate place to diagnose sounds, smells, tastes, or electrical issues with pictures but no wiring diagrams.

The best advice is to be methodical. Take each of your "possibilities" one at a time. Really, only ONE at a time.

Someone gave me good advice a long time ago: when you have issues or or changing filters (for example), try only one fix at a time, 'cuz if something works or doesn't, you simply won't know which one it was (or wasn't).

Good luck.

Sound advice! Thanks! I am hoping it is the blower and will test the next time I motor out. Keep your fingers crossed

 

[Johnb]

Not that it is particularly relevant, but you should have both smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector. When my motor lost a chunk of mixing elbow both alarms went off almost at the same time.

Sometimes after a few weeks of non use I get a smell of "something burning" from the engine and I put it down to dust or whatever, that has settled and is burning off. This only seems to happen on the first use say of a several day trip and the smell somewhat matches to your description of burning wood. It also needs the engine to have been working hard for a while.

I hope it is that simple but I would still do a thorough investigation and get those alarms if you don't already have them. Someone catching ZZZZ's in the cabin while the engine is running is very susceptible.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Not that it is particularly relevant, but you should have both smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector. When my motor lost a chunk of mixing elbow both alarms went off almost at the same time.

Sometimes after a few weeks of non use I get a smell of "something burning" from the engine and I put it down to dust or whatever, that has settled and is burning off. This only seems to happen on the first use say of a several day trip and the smell somewhat matches to your description of burning wood. It also needs the engine to have been working hard for a while.

I hope it is that simple but I would still do a thorough investigation and get those alarms if you don't already have them. Someone catching ZZZZ's in the cabin while the engine is running is very susceptible.

Thanks John. I hadn't considered that and it had been 3 weeks since previous use. Hopefully it is that simple. And yes, I will get the smoke alarms! Sandy

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Anyone know what breaking in new packing in the stuffing box smells like?

 

[Stu Jackson]

It shouldn't smell at all unless it's so tight there's no water coming into it. It's water cooled.

 

[Steve Dion]

Sandy:

Can't you test the blower without heading out? I would just let it blow for an extended period to see if that is the case.

You can also check the packing by engaging the engine at the dock. If the packing is dripping 2-5 drips per minute when the shaft is spinning you should be good.

You can test the shaft heat by hand or with a thermal reading device.

 

[rtmccue]

Battery switch

Check the battery switch I think they had a recall ? I'm not sure does it smell like oil?

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Check the battery switch I think they had a recall ? I'm not sure does it smell like oil?

I am getting a guy to check the entire electrical system to include the switch (thanks to your comment) and the inverter to see if it was just dust burning off the infrequently used inverter. The smell was more like a wood burning smell than an electrical or insulation smell but I would have to calibrate my nose for oil smell.

And yes, I will turn the blower on in the slip and also check the packing on the slip. I am not comfortable on the water until I find out here this thing came from.

Thanks for all your suggestions! Sandy

 

[sailcruiser]

Did it smell like a space heater turned on for the first time in the cold months? Is the engine smoking at all once warmed up?

Do your batteries require distiller water and have appropriate levels?

Trying to think how I'd chase it down which would likely be disconnect shore power and turn on each breaker for a while on the DC side, then AC. Then attack mechanical stuff if the recent changes check out ok.
SC

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Well I tracked it down and there is good news and some bad news. the good news is it is not the electrical system per se. Bad news is this. I had a pin hole leak in the engine coolant recirulating line and guess where the leak was going....right down inside the alternator. Those with a Hunter 42 or Passage check the location of your coolant hose relative to the alternator. The smell I smelled was the alternator burning up and destroying itself which is why when I shut things down the smell dissipated rather quickly. So for about $250 I can get the alternator rebuilt and reinstalled and I will locate the coolant line to a better spot and should be good to go. Thanks for all the ideas! your input is always spot on and I appreciate it. Remember, every "situation" is an opportunity to learn. Keep the wind in your sails, Sandy