smelly diesel, exhaust?

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Mystic51

Mystic51

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Sep 23, 2004
72
- - Stockton Lake
I have been working on getting rid of boat smells on my 1985 H28.5 for over a year now.I am convinced the smell that lingers comes from our 2GM diesel. I have replaced some but not all hoses. The smell is kind a mix and not really a fuel smell, maybe somewhat exhaust related. It is worse anytime we have run the engine. I do not find any leaks in any of the hoses or on the engine. I did install a lower that we use when motoring but the odor will affect the boat when not being used. Like I said it is not really a fuel smell. Any ideas. Jeff
 
M

Mike

Where is it comming from?

What does it smell like? rotten eggs? socks? a dead animal? Do you have all of the vents properly routed? is it more prevalent when the engine is running?
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
There are many odors on a boat

It could be from the bilge, or from some residue on the engine that stinks when it gets warm. If you have or have a fuel leak some of the fuel may still be vaporizing on the warm engine. The age of the residue could account for the indifinable odor. fresh fuel does not smell the same as stale biodegraded fuel. Have you changed the oil absorbing logs in the bilge? For me it would be time to put my nose to work and sniff everything on the boat. We aren't as good as dogs but we can be pretty good.
 
A

Anchor Down

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Jan 4, 2006
282
West Coast
It May Just Be

The smell of the engine itself. Pop the hood of your car, stick your face in there and take a snort. If that's the way your boat smells, it's normal. Unless you want to remove the engine, learn to ventilate well and live with it. Even if your engine has no leaks and is running perfectly, it will have a smell.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,012
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Have you looked at the connection

between the manifold and the exhaust riser?
 
Ralph18414

Ralph18414

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Dec 11, 2005
74
Pearson 30 Wanderer NA
I use to own an 81 Hunter 27.

There was always a smell of diesel about the boat despite my best attempts to rid the boat of the odor. A few years after buying the boat, I trucked the boat into my backyard for some extensive refurbishments. During the course of the refurbs, I removed the fuel tank and was appauled to see that there was an abrasion in the bottom of the tank that went completely through. The only think that kept the hole from gushing was the accumulation of years of muck at the bottom of the tank. Check around your tank for oily dust or dirt; perhaps your tank is also weeping fuel.
 
Mystic51

Mystic51

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Sep 23, 2004
72
- - Stockton Lake
strongest when engine running

I have: Removed cabin sole, power washed and cleaned bilge many times. It is bone dry. Added a new plastic fuel tank in the laz because the built in fiberglass one leaked so the old tank has now been cleaned out and bypassed Power washed the engine. I know that all engines stink but ours seems stronger than anyone elses! It smells more like the exhaust but I find no leaks. It is strongest when running but when the boat is closed up it mixes with other things in the boat and has a strange stale and maybe a little bit sweet smell. It is not head related, besides the head has had all new hoses and we pump out weekly. If I run my newly installed engine compartment blower 24/7 while boat is closed up it helps considerably. What do I look for if I check the connection between the manifold and exhaust riser Jeff
 
R

Rob 1981 Cat 3019642

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Jun 16, 2004
130
Catalina 30 Mk1 Horseshoe Bay, BC
This might help...

I have a pic in my website. Go to: http://www.members.shaw.ca/robnyethephysicsguy/index.htm and click on "The Universal 5411" Look at the first pic. The shiny blue thing is the new exhaust mainfold. The thing in behind is the exhaust riser. If the exhaust riser looks like mine, then its probably leaking (its all rusty and has marks that seem to stain the new manifold). I took my riser off, cleaned it up and carefully inspected for holes. I then cut out a new gasket I got from an auto supply shop and reinstalled the riser. Its a good idea to inspect the riser every so often anyway. By the way, my boat still has the diesel smell. I don't think you can get away from it. Have fun! -Rob
 
M

MG

smell more when running?

Not familiar with this boat or this engine, but I am familiar with the problem. We have four diesel inboards where I work that all need to have the crankcase ventilator vented to the outside to avoid this problem. A length of rubber hose to an inconspicuous thru-hull and the smell is gone. MG
 
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