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Chasing boat smells

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by RossC, Sep 26, 2023.

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  1. RossC

    RossC Member

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    So I have sort of a mix of a musty smell from being closed up in FL for a while with a little diesel from where I overfilled. I ran an Ozone generator and that helped, but wondering if there is a product that I can use below deck to clean any residual diesel. I’ve cleaned everywhere I can reach and there is no visual signs of diesel, but I suspect there might still be traces where I can’t get to.
  2. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Peggy has mentioned elsewhere: clean hard surfaces with Dawn Ultra, then treat with PureAyre.

    -Chris
  3. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    How did "overfilled" cause diesel "below deck?"
  4. RossC

    RossC Member

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    Leak at the filler neck on the tank. If I top off and park it, it leaks a little bit until level drops below the fill neck. Major PITA to get to the top of the tanks, but it’s on the short list.
  5. RossC

    RossC Member

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    Thanks for jogging my memory. I have her book. I’ll do some reading .
  6. bobhorn

    bobhorn Member

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    Had a similar problem some time ago, as long as fuel remained in the fill hose there was a slight leak at a fitting on the tank.
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    With a pump-up bottle, spray vinegar everywhere.
    Good ole stuff is amazing.
  8. LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Have used Simple Green sprayed on or poured into the bilge if standing water. Had mixed results with PureAyre.
  9. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Sounds like first your list and then the clean up. Welcome to boating. LOL Yesterday a new to me mechanic replaced a short length of starboard engine fuel line that had been preventing it from running off the forward tank. Previously one passed on the job and another left after attempting it. Decided while I have the right guy; to have him replace ALL the lines.

    Imgp0023.jpg
  10. RossC

    RossC Member

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    I’ve heard vinegar and also 409. A mechanic told me to put 409 in a garden sprayer and give the area a good dose, scrub what you can get to then hose it down. Then either let the bilge pump do its thing or wet vac the bilge dry.

    I think this has been an issue for a while so there is likely residual dried up diesel in places that can’t be reached to scrub.
  11. RossC

    RossC Member

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    will try Simple Green. Thanks.
  12. RossC

    RossC Member

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    Might not be as big a job as I thought. A few owners of the same boat said that Sea Ray put hatches under the couches for fuel tank access. I’ll believe it when I see it, but I’m hopeful.
  13. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    ["Sea Ray put hatches under the couches for fuel tank access. I’ll believe it when I see it, but I’m hopeful."

    If the hatches end up not being there just make an access of your own. There are numerous sizes of removable access hatches readily available. I had to change a fuel vent line that was impossible to get to. A 6" hole saw and a $30 access plate and the job was made simple.
  14. RossC

    RossC Member

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    Yep. That was plan A until a few people told me that sea Ray already did it. Been fooled before though. Every time I think the Sea Ray engineers did some some sensible engineering, they end up proving me wrong.
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  15. Tams

    Tams New Member

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    As far as the musty smell, lay bowls or cups of coffee grounds all around the interior. I’ve heard if you lay coffee grounds on a dryer sheet, it works even better. I only use coffee grounds alone and it works! May smell like coffee for a bit but once you remove them the coffee smell goes away and the yucky musty smell along with it.

    We rented a cabin one summer with musty odors. I had to repeat the coffee grounds if we were gone a few days and the cabin was closed up.
  16. RossC

    RossC Member

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    interesting. It would have to be a last resort. Coffee is near the top of my list of offensive smells. I’m making progress. I removed the salon carpet, curtains, cushions, etc.