420: Diesel smell in aft bunk?

[EW-WE]

We have a 420 owners version and have a really bad diesel fume smell in the aft bunk of the owners hull. No leaking from the tank, but the smell under the bunk will knock you out! Nothing appears to be loose. Any suggestions or anyone have the same issue?

[gamayun]

Where is the engine located? I assume it's near the tank so you should check that and under the floor boards in the berth. Have you wiped the engine down and run your fingers across and under everything to see if there is a slight leak at a fitting? How about when the engine is running -- can you see or feel moisture anywhere? It doesn't take much diesel to reek to high heaven....

[ausaviator]

Where there's smoke there's fire... (well hopefully not in your case)

If it looks like a duck and quacks like... it probably is a duck.

Plain and simple... You have a diesel leak.

Best job rather than just "looking" in the engine area, is to physically touch all areas related to fuel, paying particular attention to touch underneath the fuel fittings and hoses as whilst the fuel may not be dripping, it can still be there and smell accordingly. Fuel can run along the underside of hoses out of sight but still smell.

[DRS]

rinse the entire area with white vinegar then hose down with fresh water. That should eliminate the smell. If or as it starts to come back you may be able to pin point the area better.

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

If it looks like a duck and quacks like... it probably is a duck.

Not always....Mysterious 'Bio-Duck' Ocean Sounds Tied To Antarctic Minke Whales

Sorry, I couldn't resist

[weavis]

Originally Posted by gamayun

Not always....Mysterious 'Bio-Duck' Ocean Sounds Tied To Antarctic Minke Whales

Sorry, I couldn't resist

so bad it was good........

made my UK morning anyways....
I dont get out much.

[EW-WE]

The engine is outside behind a bulk head. There are holes for the fuel lines between the two areas but these are all plugged around the lines. Engine compartment doesn't have the same smell. ( smells like an engine but not the strong fuel smell)

We degreased the entire bilge and tank area several weeks ago. Lots of boat yoga for that task, but it is still bone dry under and around the tank. It was a mess. At some point there was a leak. (We've only had her about two months) The smell has gotten worse in the past week Sitting at the dock. Could my vent be plugged outside? Maybe wasps or something? We have touched every part physically possible with no sign of moisture.

It is so strong we can't sleep there now. To add insult to injury, the ac unit is also under that bunk and pulls air from there...

[casual]

What is your tank made of. If Aluminum I, had a like problem on a prior boat drove me nut's . The ultimate cause was the bottom of the Aluminum tank it seeped diesel fuel ever so slightly. I removed tank and pressure checked to discover source. No strips under it to allow air circulation thus corrosion . Remedy New Tank mounted on 1/8 " starboard to allow air and no moister build up which caused corrosion. If you can take a thin scraper wrap a rag over the blade and get under the tank. If it smells like diesel may be your smell.

[Stu Jackson]

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

do a search on diesel smell

you either have a leak or the remnants of one

good luck

[Hud3]

Here's an off-the-wall suggestion, because I have no idea how your boat is laid out.

In my boat, the diesel tank vent tube ran from the tank (amidships) to the transom, where it passed through a fuel/air separator (to catch any diesel liquid), and then through the transom to a vent fixture. If you have a similar arrangement, check the tubing integrity, and also check the fuel/air separator to make sure it's not plugged or leaking.

[StarfishEntrprs]

EW-WE how did this turn out? I've got a new (to me) L420 with a faint diesel smell in both aft cabins. I'm hoping for maybe a little insight based on what happened to you? Thanks.

[EW-WE]

We actually found the hose connections at the top were loose the part connected to the tank. No way to tighten with the tank full so I 4200 caulked them on. No more smell. No issues for 5 years now.