Any good diesel smell solutions

[teflongeoff]

Does anyone have a good solution for the constant smell of diesel fuel in the boat? I've checked for leaks and scrubbed the bilges and storage areas. Am seeking advice about good cleaner, deodorizers that work with salt water. Thanks

[deniseO30]

Mine had the infamous pin holes in the bottom of the tank and the plywood supporting it was saturated.

[Faster]

If you've scrubbed all the hard surfaces, and the smell persists then either you've got a continuing (albeit unfound) leak such as Denise suggests, or the odour has permeated the upholsterv and/or the headliner fabric, if present.

Does the odour get stronger when running, or is it just generally there all the time? If it varies then chances are you've got a leak somewhere on the pressure side of the fuel system - the diesel may well evaporate eventually and be difficult to spot (eg a soft return line hose, or a poorly fitted injector line fitting...)

If you haven't already, take all the upholstery out of the boat, scrub it (the boat) all down and see if the smell moves with the cushions.

[teflongeoff]

wow that is a really fast response...Thanks denise and faster ...I will check out the aluminum fuel tank in my 25 year old boat that is held up on a peice of plywood for diesel saturation....today

[deniseO30]

Hope it's not the tank.. but then old tanks don't hold up to hope very well. good luck hon.

[CalebD]

Another option: ditch the diesel and get an Atomic 4!
I kinkda like the smell of gasoline and napalm in the morining!!!

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by teflongeoff

wow that is a really fast response...Thanks denise and faster ...I will check out the aluminum fuel tank in my 25 year old boat that is held up on a peice of plywood for diesel saturation....today

Ah...The magic words, ",,,old aluminum fuel tank" and "pywood" [support]. There's your problem old son. The solution is an "old-tank/plywood-ectomy". Been there, done that...

[SlowButSteady]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

Ah...The magic words, ",,,old aluminum fuel tank" and "pywood" [support]. There's your problem old son. The solution is an "old-tank/plywood-ectomy". Been there, done that...

Actually, I had the same problem with an old mild steel tank (Mr. Young was right, "Rust Never Sleeps").

Teflongeoff, I would replace all the fuel hoses (unless they are brand new), whether the tank proves to be the primary source of the smell or not. The permeability standard for fuel hoses has been rather substantially upgraded recently, and old hose tends to get little cracks in it anyway.

[Silvio]

All the above are really good suggestions. I will add that once you have any leaks fixed and if there is a persistent diesel odor I would suggest using some of the waterless orange hand cleaner. I have had good results using a bit of the hand cleaner on a shop towel to clean up spilled fuel from changing the primary filter.

Good luck!

[sawingknots]

i've operated/worked on heavy equipment for many yrs,i hardly even notice diesel smell any more[what don't kill you makes you stronger,maybe]also not much danger of fires/explosions as with gasoline inboards,besides the oder keeps most of them pesty women away