Diesel Fuel Odor in the Cabin

[raildreamer]

Have a problem due to leak, in the diesel fuel system, which was recently repaired but left some fuel residue in the bilge. The whole cabin smells like diesel! Any suggestions how to rid myself of this odor?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by raildreamer

Any suggestions how to rid myself of this odor?

If it's only yourself you're concerned about, I would suggest a good hot shower with a pleasant soap.

Otherwise, the only way to rid the boat of the odor is to remove all of the fuel from the bilge, then get in there with soap, water, and a brush and clean clean clean. Wood that has absorbed diesel will smell for some time though.

[sapient sue]

raildreamer,

It is awful to live with that smell - and I recommend that after you have removed what you can from the bilge, wipe all the surfaces with vanilla extract. This sure helped when we had a fuel tank split some years ago.

Cheers Sue

[raildreamer]

Originally Posted by sapient sue

raildreamer,



It is awful to live with that smell - and I recommend that after you have removed what you can from the bilge, wipe all the surfaces with vanilla extract. This sure helped when we had a fuel tank split some years ago.



Cheers Sue

Thanks Sue! The vanilla extract sounds like a good idea! Someone also suggested ZEP Green from Home Depot both to clean and deodorize.

[svHyLyte]

Ah... I don't think the Vanilla Bean trick will do it for you. Just create a sicky sweet diesel stench.

Wash down the bilge with hot water and Roll Off or another of the strong surfectants such as Greased Lightening. Rinse with plenty of warm/hot water if you have it available. Pump that over the side and use a shop vac to suction the bilge as dry as possible. Then, dump a few gallons of Lemon Juice Concentrate, available at whole-sale food distributors such as "Smart'n Final" very inexpensively, and a few gallons of fresh water into the bilge. Allow that to soak for 24 hours and then pump it over the side and, again, shop-vac the bilge as dry as you can get it. You should be good to go.

BTDT...Got the T-Shirt when a yard worker screwed up and allowed 40 gallons of diesel to drain into our bilge 10-12 years ago! The foregoing, suggested by an "old salt", did the trick!

[Whitebread117]

We had a similar issue, old and leaky Nissan diesel and prior owner wasn't careful about spilling diesel or oil during maintenance.

Tuf Enuf bilge cleaner sprayed liberally throughout affected areas followed by freshwater rinses did wonders. It's not cheap but works better than the simple Green, zero purple power, and others we tried. It has a very nice natural orange/citrus scent so you don't get the harsh chemical smell while cleaning either.

[Stu Jackson]

Odor eliminator PureAyre eliminates cat, pet, smoke, skunk, cigars, gasoline, cooking and musty odors

[Jason Flare]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Odor eliminator PureAyre eliminates cat, pet, smoke, skunk, cigars, gasoline, cooking and musty odors

Have you used this?

If so, is it great?

[kmacdonald]

Put some snake oil in the bilge----that'll get rid of the smell.

[peterbeale]

I had this in my Megellan 36 and eventually found that the diesel tank was leaking. You need to go through the whole fuel system to track down the leak.
The smell makes seasickness more likely and in any event is not good for your health.

[peterbeale]

It is very hard to get rid of diesel and holding tank odors but a good dose of ozone will do it as long as you do not stay in the boat while you are using it as it is VERY bad for the lungs. Have remote turn off and wait at least an hour before entering.

After the boat will smell very fresh

[redhead]

Sniff the cushions - perhaps the material has absorbed the odor?

[sazarac]

Originally Posted by raildreamer

Have a problem due to leak, in the diesel fuel system, which was recently repaired but left some fuel residue in the bilge. The whole cabin smells like diesel! Any suggestions how to rid myself of this odor?

Buy a gallon of Pure Strength and clean your bilge with it, wipe down other exposed surfaces with it also. Pure Strength is a Rustolium product made with citrus oil. Makes the boat smell like an orange/lemon orchard. It is hell on diesel and the diesel smell.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Jason Flare

Have you used this?

If so, is it great?

Peggie Hall recommends it highly.

[raildreamer]

Originally Posted by sazarac

Buy a gallon of Pure Strength and clean your bilge with it, wipe down other exposed surfaces with it also. Pure Strength is a Rustolium product made with citrus oil. Makes the boat smell like an orange/lemon orchard. It is hell on diesel and the diesel smell.

Thanks for the tip! Will do!