Smelling Like Diesel

[callistov42]

One of our sailing friend's wife claims that she puts a little behind her ears if her husband is ignoring her or if she is looking for a little extra attention. She thinks it might turn him on (and she might be right)!

[delmarrey]

Actually, any synthetic material will hold odors. It's the nature of the beast. And that includes fiberglass. It has to be neutralized or masked and foam is near impossible w/o submersion.

[Amapola]

It's part of life aboard. Year's ago as new cruisers, we entered a restaurant and the server commented that we must be cruisers. We asked how and she told us we have that "boat" smell. We have since learned that it is eau de diesel.

[JanetGroene]

A neighbor once brought us some cookies baked aboard his diesel boat and the diesel stench was so strong we couldn't eat them.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by JanetGroene

A neighbor once brought us some cookies baked aboard his diesel boat and the diesel stench was so strong we couldn't eat them.

--and the engine now contains 3qts of EVOO

[zeehag]

i am sooo glad my perkins doesnot have diesel smell-- my boat , according to friends, does not smell like boat nor like anyhting else obnoxious. except when the cat farts, which is rare.
diesel smell is a sign of something wrong.

[Danibug]

Originally Posted by Brent Swain

Calgon water softener works

I know this is an old thread, but yes Calgon Water Softener does work. When we bought Sundowner she REEKED of diesel. The fuel tank had been leaking into the bilge. We cleaned out the bilge, painted it, and I washed everything on the boat with simple green and Calgon. It really works.

I had to order it off of the internet though as you can't always find it in the stores.
Dani

[lockie]

My boat has diesel aroma. Could not for the life of me figure out its source. Turns out there was a microscopic split in the injector pump hose. Fixed that but still got the smell, which was finally traced to a work-hardened copper washer under a banjo bolt.

Once the smell has been there for a time, it does permeate cushions, carpets, clothes etc etc. Ventilation helps, but now after a year, although diminished, it is still present. I took an unused quarter berth cushion home and kept it in the (disel-fre) garage. About a year later it seems to finally be almost odourless.

Fix the leaks, try the odour remedies, ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. And learn to love it.

lockie

[Danibug]

Originally Posted by lockie

I took an unused quarter berth cushion home and kept it in the (disel-fre) garage. About a year later it seems to finally be almost odourless.

lockie

Yes, I actually did take all of the cushions and curtains home.. I washed the canvas covers about 4 times each and soaked the foam with cleaner and then dried them. After that I sprayed heavily with frebreeze and were in a house airing out for about a year before I put the covers back on and brought them back to the boat.

It is AMAZING how that diesel smell stays with items. Still, all of the items we bought home from the boat when we first bought her, smell like diesel. They have been off the boat for almost two years...LOL

[Amapola]

We went into a restaurant once while cruising. The hostess said, "You must be boaters."
I asked how she could tell, and she replied, "The diesel perfume." We had a good laugh and no longer worry about it. If it really concerns you, keep some "shore" clothes in a sealed plastic bag for special occasions.

[micah719]

Uh oh, another ingredient of Cruiser's Aftershave has been revealed. At this rate, the secret will be out in two years and another income stream for micah has evaporated into thin air. Might have to take up piracy after all. Which leg is better for a peg?

[Cheechako]

hmmm, not sure why you should smell much like diesel, keep a clean bilge and dont let diesel in there! Pine sol works. The musty mildew smell seems more common to me...

[CarlF]

Someone on this forum recommended TKO Orange for getting diesel smell out of a water tank - a gallon of diesel had been put in

I've used it with great success anytime I know where the diesel leaked.

HOME

When you don't know, the key is to kill the diesel smell long enough to localize the leak. The best way that I've found to do this is to fog the whole boat with Pure-Ayre. They sell the fogger too. It's then quite easy to find the distinctive smell of fresh diesel.

Pure-Ayre also does a great job at knocking down other low level odors that seem to build up over the years in a boat. It's a little pricey but really works. I guess you could also "fog" your kids as they head for school.

Buy Online - PureAyre, the only natural food grade odor eliminator.