Controlling Diesel Odor?

[CapnCrunch]

I've searched the forums here and can't believe there's not a thread on this subject. I have a Lancer motorsailer with two Perkins diesels and, though I can't smell it (prolly due to nose-deafness), my gf complains loudly about the "diesel stink."

I am wondering if the odor is something that boaters with diesel engines just get used to or have you found ways to control it (besides eliminating all leaks)?

My boat had some fuel leaks and I'm wondering if the fumes have soaked into the upholstery, wood, etc. And, if so, can it be removed without replacing the affected materials?

[witzgall]

I would concentrate first on getting those leaks fixed. They can have a profound effect on the smell. Once you have done that, cleaning up the surfaces that were leaked upon would be the next step.

Chris

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by CapnCrunch

I am wondering if the odor is something that boaters with diesel engines just get used to or have you found ways to control it (besides eliminating all leaks)?

Fix the leaks and clean it up. You shouldn't have diesel odor.

-Chris

[a64pilot]

How well does she like bing on the boat?

They way to know if you have any odors is to close the boat up well, then go away for the day, on return when you first open the Boat up smell for odors, if there are any, you’ll smell them.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by CapnCrunch

I've searched the forums here and can't believe there's not a thread on this subject....

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...in-183102.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ep-181479.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ell-95980.html


You can also use your browser to search within specific forums.


But yes, a little diesel goes a long ways and clean-up requires detailed work.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally Posted by thinwater

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...in-183102.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ep-181479.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ell-95980.html


You can also use your browser to search within specific forums.


But yes, a little diesel goes a long ways and clean-up requires detailed work.

That's Crazy!! I searched on terms "Diesel" plus "odor," "smell," and "stink" but NOT ONE of those threads showed up!! Thanx, though.

[sailorboy1]

Nothing will “fix” it if you have leaks. But once you get them fixed and cleaned up get an ozone generator (I have one off Amazon for like $85). It is worth having one around because boat odors are a reoccurring battle.

[a64pilot]

Be wary of ozone generators, or at least do some reading
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quali...d-air-cleaners

[sailorboy1]

Well im fine and have been using one a while. It’s a shock treatment, close up the boat let it rip.

Nothing is going to get at odors inside cushions and lockers like an ozone generator.

If you can’t handle the left over ozone smell I don’t see how you could handle the smell from diesel, sewage, seawater rot etc on a boat.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Well im fine and have been using one a while. It’s a shock treatment, close up the boat let it rip.

Nothing is going to get at odors inside cushions and lockers like an ozone generator.

If you can’t handle the left over ozone smell I don’t see how you could handle the smell from diesel, sewage, seawater rot etc on a boat.

I had considered ozone, but didn't realize that it actually had a "smell?" You're prolly right though, that it couldn't be any worse than holding tank smell.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by CapnCrunch

I had considered ozone, but didn't realize that it actually had a "smell?" You're prolly right though, that it couldn't be any worse than holding tank smell.

It smells like the air after a lighting storm. It airs out fast and mostly smells “clean” till then.

[CapnCrunch]

I'm pretty sure that I have stopped all of the diesel leaks but something in the thread on generators got me to wondering - could some of the smell be coming from the engine air intakes? I realize that the airflow is INTO the manifold/head, but well, they ARE engines and engines tend to smell of oil, fuel, etc.

Part of my problem is that I really do seem to be nose-deaf to the smell of diesel, so I can't tell if the inside of the air intake smells different than the rest of the engine room

Also, does anyone know if there is a way to change the screw-on fuel filter on a Perkins engine without having to bleed the entire fuel system afterwards?

[a64pilot]

It’s not the smell that is an issue, it is a toxic gas, that decays rubber among other tings and has I believe been linked to Cancer.
If your closing up the Boat and going away, and then airing it out on return, surely that mitigates any adverse health effect, but after reading that article I’m not sure I would want to leave one running and sleep in the same room night after night.
Duration of exposure and I’d assume concentration is the issue.

[Cheechako]

If you had leaks, it likely got into underfloor spaces or even wood etc. If real bad the smell may have permeated your upholstery.
First I would open all the floors and warm water wash everything you can get to with dish soap. Dawn or Joy breaks up the oil and gets rid of it. Better yet pressure wash with detergent and do the underside of the wood floors and timbers and all the hull inside fiberglass.
If that doesnt do it remove your cushion covers and wash them in cold water and detergent in your clothes washer. They dry fast just hanging.

Filter: Fill the screw on filter with diesel when you change it. You may not have to bleed. If you bleed have absorbent pads laying under the injectors.

[seandepagnier]

Apparently it compounds sea sickness but I wouldn't know. I smell it on other people's boats.

Remove the stinker and use the sails! Using the wind and patience can take you anywhere.