Yellow dust in engine room?

[hpeer]

Looking at engine today I noticed a thin film of yellowish dust. Yanmar 4JH4-TE, 2,100 hours. It seems to be most noticeable at the forward part. STB side. Little to none on Port side.

I had a long hard look at the engine and saw no clues as to origin.

[Cheechako]

Engine room insulation degrading? Or many vinyls have thin foam backing that turns to dust eventually. Just a guess.

[hellosailor]

If it is YELLOW yellow? Heavy pollen in the air accumulating in the engine space?
Been anchoring out under the jubjub trees?(G)

[steve77]

Our boat has sprayed in foam that would make a yellowish dust. Not sure it how it may have been generated in your case, though.

You don't have yellow fan belts, do you?

Best of luck tracking this down.

Steve

[boom23]

Fire extinguisher powder?

[BobHorn]

Pine tree pollen.

[Diesel Bill]

Pixie dust. No, really more likely to be insulation dust. I have the same thing fwd. of the engines from a bulkhead.

[Dooglas]

I also vote for insulation dust. Had that happen in the engine room of my 30 year old boat.

[hpeer]

Thanks for all the ideas. It’s barreling. But the good news is all the ideas are pretty benign. Nothing like “OMG your fuel injection pump is shot.”

It does look like pollen but we are in Dominica.

Fan belt and insulation are black. Insulation may be origional, 30+ yo.

I did use a fire extinguisher in the galley 2 years ago, but that was white I think.

And it’s recent, just the last few hours.

I’ve thought of a tiny exhaust leak but can’t find one and don’t know why that would be yellow.

[zeehag]

gremlin poop..... best o luck finding this issue... let us know what it is when you discover cause, please....

[sailorboy1]

Pixie Fairy Dust

hope it was one of the nice Fairies

[atoll]

enthusistic use of curry powder in the galley with the engine running.....

[Sailorbob8599]

Nuthin' to worry about here, just wipe it all up with a damp cloth & go back to enjoyin' life aboard your boat. I'd be more concerned as to whether or not that reincarnation of the Titanic will hit the same iceberg on its maiden voyage.

[Paul L]

On my 4jh3 the air cleaner was getting a white fluff on it. I figured it was just dust getting in. Turned out the exhaust insulation wrapping was degrading. Replaced it and the air filter stays clean now.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Looking at engine today I noticed a thin film of yellowish dust. Yanmar 4JH4-TE, 2,100 hours. It seems to be most noticeable at the forward part. STB side. Little to none on Port side.

I had a long hard look at the engine and saw no clues as to origin.

Any rust on those engine pulleys? Alternator?
Seems odd that it's focused more on one side in the front.
SV Cloud Duster