Getting rid of deisel smell

[davidwf]

Had a struggle changing my fuel filters, and spilt some fuel, and although I spent ages cleaning it up I now have the smell of deisel in the boat.

I am sure it's coming of the engine as the spill was thoughly cleaned up. I think it was the fuel that came out as I was bleeding the system no leaks anywhere. Nothing in bilges. Any suggestions as to how to get rid of the smell. I have given the engine a quick squirt with muck off this afternoon followed by a rub with a wet sponge.

Engine's a Yanmar 3ym30.

As for the primary filter its a CAV type and I am minded to change it for a spin off type filter which would be easier to remove, any suggestions as to which is best.

 

[vyv_cox]

Toilet Duck kills the smell of diesel very effectively. As used by many charter companies.

 

[oldgit]

I use a strong solution of Fairy Liquid.... it is also very kind to your hands !

 

[wrr]

Citrus Sprays

Orange or lemon scented detergent sprays (various makes available from Tescsainsburda and co.) are very effective in my experience. Spray the offending area and rinse off after 30 mins or so. Repeat until all is sweet smelling.

 

[Happydaze]

Half an onion in the engine compartment works for me.

 

[davidwf]

Thanks for the tips, will try the fairy liquid first. Nice to know others have had the problem as well.

 

[oldgit]

Thanks for the tips, will try the fairy liquid first. Nice to know others have had the problem as well.

Best if the water is hot or a least warm,normally splosh it about let it soak for a bit then pump out worst and finish with sponge out.

 

[bendyone]

Go to a pet shop and get cat urine smell remover. Works well.

 

[SvenH]

Ground coffee. It absorbs the diesel and replaces the smell

 

[Rowana]

I'm also a fairy liquid user.

As for your second question, I chainged my fuel filter last year to one of these -

http://www.asap-supplies.com/marine...ilters/racor-120at-diesel-spin-on-fuel-filter

 

[Theshipscat]

Chanel No 5.

What?

 

[G12]

I found it incredibly hard to remove the stink of diesel from my boat when I bought her. She'd had a smal fuel leak for a while before I had her and the previous owner hadn't fixed it because he had no sense of smell and hadn't noticed.
Although the fuel had only been in the bilge, the smell had migrated into everything in the cabin. All the cushion covers had to come off and be washed, the bilge was scrubbed several times, clothes I left onboard in a bag even stank the next time I went back but gradually it's disappeared. It seems even a tiny bit of diesel causes a big old smell.

 

[Slow_boat]

Of course, on a wooden boat id can soak into any bare wood and you'll never get rid of the smell.

 

[maxi77]

As an ex submariner I see nothing wrong with the smell of diesel.

 

[NUTMEG]

Diesel smell reminds me...

... Of my yoofe.

Diesel and two stroke exhaust. Oh, and my late father in laws pipe smoke, lovely. Told the missus that if I last to retirement I intend taking up pipe smoking. Didn't get an answer.

Another vote for cat pee cleaner, worked on our boat and made SWMBO happy.

 

[jfkal]

Ground coffee. It absorbs the diesel and replaces the smell

Fresh ones or used ones

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I really dislike the smell of diesel. It leaves me feeling a bit nauseous.
I've used Bilgex which seems to clean out the visible spilt or dripped diesel at any time, and leaves a 'clean' smell.
However, when I get home from a sailing trip, shower and changed into fresh clean clothes I notice just how 'boaty' the clothes are smelling that I'd had with me. The smell (not just sweat etc apologies for that).. is not exactly just diesel but an overall musty aroma.... very unpleasant. I've just changed boats and I've noticed a similar smell... ?????
I had no mould or similar that I could find in my old boat, but having taken down the headlining in 'new' boat to investigate a leaky hatch surround, I've found black spores/mould in one area. Could the smell be a mixture of diesel and mould??
What is best used on the black areas to kill/remove mould on the underside of the GRP saloon? (the headlining is to be replaced.)
Is the coffee sprinkled over spilt diesel or does it absorb the diesel smell from the atmoshere if left in the engine compartment?

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

... Of my yoofe.

Diesel and two stroke exhaust. Oh, and my late father in laws pipe smoke, lovely. Told the missus that if I last to retirement I intend taking up pipe smoking. Didn't get an answer.

Another vote for cat pee cleaner, worked on our boat and made SWMBO happy.

Just start wearing a cardigan that may get a response!

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Go to a pet shop and get cat urine smell remover. Works well.

Just left in a container near the engine or is this something you spray or sprinkle over areas that may have diesel on them?
What is best 'cat urine smell remover' to use?

 

[Halo]

I had this problem and got rid of the smell using biological cloths washing liquid - I put a bucketful of solution (warm iff poss) in the bilge at the start of each days sailing and pumped it out at the end of the day. This worked much better than Fairy and left a "clean cloths" smell which SWMBO did not find offsensive. Bilgex is as good but costs a lot more as you wil need to do this for a fair while to get rid of it all. If your bilges are wet then a little concentrate in the bilge as you leave her would help.
I think you can only keep the acculumulated "boaty smell" to a minuimum by ventilation and rigourous cleaning - and learn to love the remainder that you cannot shift.
Martin