Stinking Engine Room

[andreshs1]

Hi

The engine room stinks, when I bought the boat I took it for a service and ask the shipyard to clean it but 100USD later and still stinks.....
How can I get rid off the smell?

Will paint cover the smell??

Regards
Andres

[gonesail]

depends on where the smell is. if it is diesel and you have a fuel leak then fix the leaks first. if the odor is in the wood then you can coat the wood with something like kilz primer and then paint it. otherwise scrub with detergent.

[Vyndance]

What does it smell like. Sailboat, Powerboat? Sewage, diesel, bilge water?

[delmarrey]

You can't just poison the rats, you have to catch them.

[sarafina]

start by drying it out. put a heater in and cook it dry if you have to.

[andreshs1]

Hi there

The odor is a mix of diesel and oil, but cannot find any leaks.

It seems to have been there for a very long time, as I have been trying to clean it with different products but is not coming off. Its embedded on the fiberglass

Is there any magic cleaner??

Regards
Andres

[GordMay]

First, several pounds (2 kilo) of “kitty-litter”, or Diatomaceous Earth ( D.E. is used in swimming pool filters) spreadover the affected area for a couple of days.
Remove.
Then spread Activated Charcoal mixed with baking soda (about 1:1) over the spill area for a couple of days.
Remove.
Then wash thoroughly with a mixture of Ammonia, Sodium Carbonate (washing soda), and Vinegar.
Then ventilate vigorously for a couple of days.

Alternatively, you might try an enzyme product, like PureAyre. I’ve never used PureAyre, so can’t vouch for it’s effectiveness.
➥ PureAyre Odor Eliminator - Instructions

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GordMay

First, several pounds (2 kilo) of “kitty-litter”, or Diatomaceous Earth ( D.E. is used in swimming pool filters) spreadover the affected area for a couple of days.
Remove.
Then spread Activated Charcoal mixed with baking soda (about 1:1) over the spill area for a couple of days.
Remove.
Then wash thoroughly with a mixture of Ammonia, Sodium Carbonate (washing soda), and Vinegar.
Then ventilate vigorously for a couple of days.

Alternatively, you might try an enzyme product, like PureAyre. I’ve never used PureAyre, so can’t vouch for it’s effectiveness.
➥ PureAyre Odor Eliminator - Instructions

Dear Gord,

I am sure you are right but how in God's name did you come up with this process.

Respectively,
Wot.

[colemj]

This worked well for me after discovering diesel fuel that had been sitting in an area of fiberglass for several years:

Spray the area down with a citrus-based engine degreaser and scrub with a stiff brush.

Then wash well with water using an oil absorbent pad to scrub everything down. The water will remain, but the pad will remove all petroleum stuff.

Remove water and let dry.

Next, scrub well with straight Orange-Glo citrus wood cleaner. Again, wash with water using an oil absorbent pad.

Remove water, let dry and see if you still have the problem.

Products:

Citrus engine degreaser: Amazon.com: Gunk CEB1 Engine Brite Citrus Engine Shine Degreaser and Detailer - 15 oz.: Automotive

Orange-Glo: Amazon.com: Church & Dwight #11995 16OZ Orange Glo WD Cleaner: Home & Garden

Oil absorbent pads: Amazon.com: 3M Petroleum Sorbent Pad (HP255): Office Products (you can buy these at West Marine for $1 each)

Mark

[Hyprdrv]

Rip everything out and install an Electric Motor!

Steve in Solomons MD
Lagoon 410SE

[Chief Engineer]

Why is it that everything boils down to an electric motor.

They really aren't green.....how about all the carbon produced by the generating plants?

[Hyprdrv]

Because I have 2 and Electrics don't stink.


Steve in Solomons MD
Lagoon 410SE

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Hyprdrv

Because I have 2 and Electrics don't stink.


Steve in Solomons MD
Lagoon 410SE

I don't know about that. I burned up an electric motor once and the stench and smoke nearly drove me off the boat...

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by colemj

I don't know about that. I burned up an electric motor once and the stench and smoke nearly drove me off the boat...

Your experience was almost certainly a direct result of letting the smoke out. With any electric/electronic device, it is imperative to keep the magic smoke in!

A knowledgeable mentor (the late Bob Gereaux) taught me that earlier recipe (post #7) for mitigating a diesel spill.

[Hyprdrv]

HAHAAHAH
Thanks Gordy, My comment was do to my Jolly mood and the fact that I vacuumed under my "motors" a few weeks ago.

Steve in Solomons MD
Lagoon 410SE