How Do You Control The Diesel Smell In Your Cabin.

[Terra Nova]

15'-20' head hose makes this installation stink.

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by DonZe

So far every boat I have been on has had an overwhelming stench of diesel fuel, working around diesel I know that it takes very little to stink, is there a common way of combating the smell on a boat?

The solution is simple but not easy.

Step 1 address any diesel leaks
Step 2 when refuelling your breather should vent high and not in the interior
Step 3 whenever changing fuel filters or bleeding clean up using a biodegradable degreaser

On our Liberty 458 we have both a diesel main engine and a diesel generator. We have no undesirable smells from our engine room because we keep it spotless. Same goes for the main bilge. Don't try to mask it. Clean, clean and clean some more.

Whenever I drain the engine bilge I catch all fluids including the degreaser cleanup and dispose of it as waste POL. Keep the dirty stuff out of the main bilge.

I prefer the orange oil based degreasers and none of the fleet vehicle mineral based degreasers which will reek in a boat.

Diesel as you know will get soaked up in any oil leaks, dirt and mold. Getting rid of these will also help.





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[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

15'-20' head hose makes this installation stink.

It's why I want to get rid of that head, what I do now is waste a lot of water flushing the hose clean, I figure it takes the better part of a gallon, and even then you can't get it all can you.
The black water tank is literally right on the outside wall of the aft head so that is a good installation.
I've considered a direct discharge for the front head, and of course only use it where that's allowed and use the aft head when we need the tank.
I've also considered PVC hard pipe as I think that is pretty much impermeable.

[Terra Nova]

If you must keep the 2nd toilet, a separate holding tank is the answer.

[Windwalker44]

I had a small fuel leak that frustrated me for a long time because the smell was permeating anything porous and wouldn't go away. After fixing the leak I purchased an ozone generator that I ran for 24 hours and it completely eliminated any odors.
I'm not exactly sure how it works but its a breakdown of air molecules that will kill off mold, bacteria and diesel smell.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Windwalker44

I had a small fuel leak that frustrated me for a long time because the smell was permeating anything porous and wouldn't go away. After fixing the leak I purchased an ozone generator that I ran for 24 hours and it completely eliminated any odors.
I'm not exactly sure how it works but its a breakdown of air molecules that will kill off mold, bacteria and diesel smell.

Yeah, I had one I bought for a boat I rebuilt... was very damp and smelly inside. I replaced all soft fabrics/foams and then ran the Ozone Generator all the time when at the dock. Personally I love the smell of ozone... unfortunately the unit quit working after about a year or less.... "Panda" and the only parts not available was the part it needed to make it work again!

[BobnCamie]

There should be no fuel smell. Fix the leak! My God!


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[Group9]

Originally Posted by BobnCamie

There should be no fuel smell. Fix the leak! My God!


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Yes, again. If you are smelling diesel, there is a leak somewhere. I've never smelled it on my boat, except when I accidentally spilled some changing a fuel filter.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Group9

Yes, again. If you are smelling diesel, there is a leak somewhere. I've never smelled it on my boat, except when I accidentally spilled some changing a fuel filter.

That's cause you only have one big hole where your nose used to go... Course... ya ain't got any eyeballs neither....

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Group9

Yes, again. If you are smelling diesel, there is a leak somewhere. I've never smelled it on my boat, except when I accidentally spilled some changing a fuel filter.

It can be difficult not to spill any diesel when changing fuel filters. I did the same the last time I changed mine. I cleaned it up though.

[bletso]

As mentioned before, clean up as soon as possible. I have had good luck with a product called Zorb, available at Lowes. Just spray around and in the area where the spill / leak was.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by rwidman

It can be difficult not to spill any diesel when changing fuel filters. I did the same the last time I changed mine. I cleaned it up though.

I finally made an old milk jug into a basin to catch the drips when I change it. Still not perfect every time, but better than just trying to catch it with rags!

[zboss]

I also do not have an diesel smell. I replaced my cushions and it made a huge difference.

We are trying to make it a periodic effort to take the cushions out and have them dry cleaned.

[GrowleyMonster]

With electric propulsion, there is no diesel or gasoline smell. Just sayin. :•)

[J Clark H356]

No diesel smell after 12 seasons, 7382 nautical miles, 1218 Yanmar 3GM30F hours, 2859 Northern Lights generators hours. I use a zip lock bag over the diesel fuel filter and carefully screw the filter off. I keep oil absorbent rags under the bagged filter for the few drops that always escape the zip lock. I also immediately clean up any spill even a drop, using dishwashing detergent on a paper towel and rinsing off with wet paper towel, then wipe dry with clean paper towel. I am meticulous about cleaning any spilled diesel and it has paid off. Nothing is worse to me than a sailboat interior with that diesel smell.


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