Bad smell in engine compartment

[Sea Señor]

Thanks for all the input. Once I figure out the problem I’ll post what the issue was

 

[mrsrobinson]

NoFlex is new to me so I looked it up. It this for a one time cleaning only or do you add it at every pump out?

 

[spikedaddy99]

After every pump out, and frankly I add some each weekend we are on the boat. OK to use lots of water to flush it down.

 

[mratlndmrk]

Also if you have a shower sump and don't use it often that can get smelly. Dump some no flex or other down that drain and let it sit a day before using again.

 

[Sea Señor]

So I figured out the source of the vomit smell. It was stagnant water under the motor. The mechanic who did my manifolds and risers in the spring never pumped out the water in the bilge. I went down there yest and removed all the water and changed the vent filter anyway since it hasn’t been changed. Went back today and it was dry down there and the smell was mostly gone. I’m going to pour some bilge cleaner down there and let it slosh around to completely clean it. I didn’t think water could smell like that. Thanks for all the helpful input.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Glad you figured it out, and thank you for updating us.

I personally am not a fan of "bilge" cleaners and magic potions. I like a good degreaser, like Dawn, Simple Green, Grease Lightening for the bilge. No bleach.

 

[Creekwood]

So I figured out the source of the vomit smell. It was stagnant water under the motor. The mechanic who did my manifolds and risers in the spring never pumped out the water in the bilge. I went down there yest and removed all the water and changed the vent filter anyway since it hasn’t been changed. Went back today and it was dry down there and the smell was mostly gone. I’m going to pour some bilge cleaner down there and let it slosh around to completely clean it. I didn’t think water could smell like that. Thanks for all the helpful input.

You should check that your automatic bilge pump is working properly. It would not have removed all of the stagnant water, but it should have removed most of it. By the way, I have never had bilge water smell like vomit. Maybe your mechanic was on a bender the night before he did the work and yacked in the bilge while he was working!

 

[Sea Señor]

Glad you figured it out, and thank you for updating us.

I personally am not a fan of "bilge" cleaners and magic potions. I like a good degreaser, like Dawn, Simple Green, Grease Lightening for the bilge. No bleach.

Someone recommended star brite super orange citrus bilge cleaner

 

[mrsrobinson]

Maybe your mechanic was on a bender the night before he did the work and yacked in the bilge while he was working!

Ha, I was thinking the same. I was also wondering why the bilge pump did not pick this up. I'd put some water into that area to test it.

 

[Sea Señor]

You should check that your automatic bilge pump is working properly. It would not have removed all of the stagnant water, but it should have removed most of it. By the way, I have never had bilge water smell like vomit. Maybe your mechanic was on a bender the night before he did the work and yacked in the bilge while he was working!

Lol anything is possible. Bilge pump works too

 

[mrsrobinson]

Someone recommended star brite super orange citrus bilge cleaner

I am not telling you what to do, rather what I have done over the years. When I was new to boating all of these magic potions caught my attention and I bought them.

 

[Sea Señor]

I am not telling you what to do, rather what I have done over the years. When I was new to boating all of these magic potions caught my attention and I bought them.

This is my second full season with the boat so I’m still learning. The boats been in the water since april 23rd. I moved it from the old marina who did the work to the new marina I’m at now. I didn’t start smelling it until about 2 weeks ago. But I’m going to make sure the automatic bilge is working. I know it works manually

 

[The Bill Collector]

I’ll try that. Thanks. How often are you supposed to change that filter? I was told you shouldn’t have to as long as you don’t overfill the holding tank

Ours are 14 years old and still fresh as a daisy and no we have never overfilled our tanks.

 

[The Bill Collector]

You should check that your automatic bilge pump is working properly. It would not have removed all of the stagnant water, but it should have removed most of it. By the way, I have never had bilge water smell like vomit. Maybe your mechanic was on a bender the night before he did the work and yacked in the bilge while he was working!

Under my engines, there is no access for a bilge pump out as I believe in most boats. If there is an oil/fuel leak it should not be automatically pumped out.

 

[Sea Señor]

Under my engines, there is no access for a bilge pump out as I believe in most boats. If there is an oil/fuel leak it should not be automatically pumped out.

Yes true. The area under my motor is deeper than where the bilge pump is so that water won’t be removed by the pump unless you use a shop vac. The mechanic who did my manifolds and risers should’ve pumped that water out

 

[Espos4]

Yes true. The area under my motor is deeper than where the bilge pump is so that water won’t be removed by the pump unless you use a shop vac. The mechanic who did my manifolds and risers should’ve pumped that water out

Did you leave the garboard drain plug in all winter??

 

[Sea Señor]

Did you leave the garboard drain plug in all winter??

Not sure what the mechanic did. Now that’s it’s dry the smell is mostly gone.