smell

[Stu]

I have a 1989 H30 and have a noticable smell of diesel when I return to the boat after its been sitting. I have searched high and low for a leak and can't find one. Clothes and sleeping bags have a significant smell of diesel when you bring them hone after being on the boat. I am a new boat owner and wonder if this is normal or not.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Definitely Not Normal ............................

Diesel is notorious for slowly leaking through any threaded fitting. Trace your fuel lines (both supply and return) to the main tank and tape a piece of paper towel tightly around each threaded joint. Check each piece of paper after a week for tell tale smell. Redo any leaking threaded joints with Permatex No.2. Avoid using teflon tape as it will eventually leak.Good Luck,s/v Island Hunter

 

[schaefer]

same here

had the same prob with my almost new 28.5.....wiped down the yanmar with fantastic.....clean as a whistle..ran the engine for 10 mins...then wiped my clean hand slowly over the whole thing..found the leak on the bleeding screw on top of the filter...be patient and you.ll find it..good luck

 

[Steve Dion]

Replace the washers.

Stu:These leaks are usually not hard to stop, just hard to find. The first thing I would do is replace all of the banjo washer and the nylon washers too. The banjo washers are used on the high pressure lines. The bleed screws use the nylon washers. The next place to check is the filter bowl. This is often overtightened and will strip the threads and leaks there too. Do not forget to check the fuel line from the tank to the engine. I always keep an oil absorbant sheet in the engine bilge. This allows water to pass thru them but holds any gas and oil from the engine.

 

[steve rainey]

Had a fuel leak for awhile. The curtains, seat cusions and hull lining really soaked up the smell. Shampooed everything and now its sweet!Of course fix any leaks you have also. Couldn't believe how strong the smell was. Took the curtains home and it stunk up the house!

 

[Stu]

Thanks

Thanks for all your suggestions. I currently have paper towel around all my fittings.