Do you Run Your Bilge Blower When Underway?

[mjmason1]

With your windows and hatches closed, and you still have exhaust odor and co alarm, I would check for exhaust leaks. I have turbo diesels , so I have to run my blowers all the time. They need all the air they can get!

[RGrew176]

Did it come that way from the factory? Just curious.

[Viper]

It's pretty common on later diesels Rick. Usually very large fans that come on automatically when you turn the engines on.

[Cooler]

Marty - This may not apply to you but, I had a similar issue. I have steps that go down from the cockpit to the salon. One day, when the engine hatch was open, I noticed there was an open seam, about 1/2", that lead directly to the engine compartment. There was probably some seal in that space when the boat was built, but over the years either dried out or was inadvertently removed by previous owner. I could not see it with the engine hatch closed because it was dark. Also, that space was inside the salon door. I stuck some foam strips in there, and bingo! No more leak. Check around inside and see if there are any non-sealed spaces where the top deck module sits on the hull. Couple of CO2 monitors are a great idea. Good luck! er

[bud37]

Guys, as this seems to crop up quite frequently, we need to correct something here, I see this as very important to understand as we are never sure of who reads these posts. It does seem to be a common confusion.

CO2 is Carbon Dioxide, that is one carbon and two Oxygen atoms....this is a gas produced by us as we exhale and engines that have catalytic converters...there are others.

CO is Carbon Monoxide, one carbon and one Oxygen atom....this gas is a product of incomplete combustion in engines and burning fossil fuels , both gas and diesel ( although in much lower amounts ). Highly toxic and actually flammable....it also is the leading cause of gas poisonings. This is the gas we are concerned with on our boats when we refer to this station wagon effect.

I make no apologies for the drama, as it may be someones health.........

[Viper]

BINGO

[km1125]

Source of the post Guys, as this seems to crop up quite frequently, we need to correct something here, I see this as very important to understand as we are never sure of who reads these posts. It does seem to be a common confusion.

CO2 is Carbon Dioxide, that is one carbon and two Oxygen atoms....this is a gas produced by us as we exhale and engines that have catalytic converters...there are others.

CO is Carbon Monoxide, one carbon and one Oxygen atom....this gas is a product of incomplete combustion in engines and burning fossil fuels , both gas and diesel ( although in much lower amounts ). Highly toxic and actually flammable....it also is the leading cause of gas poisonings. This is the gas we are concerned with on our boats when we refer to this station wagon effect.

I make no apologies for the drama, as it may be someones health.........

Agree, but with one slight correction:

CO2 is produced by any engine/device that burns carbon or hydrocarbons, not just those with catalytic converters.

Also,

CO is produced more in gas engines as opposed to diesel because gas engines are designed to run at or near the correct fuel-air ratio for complete combustion, whereas a diesel always has (or should have) plenty of excess air pumped into it. In the gas engine some of that gas never finds enough oxygen in the air so it ends up pumping out more CO than a diesel.

[SplashyLady]

The bilge blowers should be on whenever a gasoline engine is running, including a generator. The reason is simple - if a carburetor float sticks or you get a fuel leak, the blower will keep the bilge below the explosive level. Natural circulation from vents and intakes does not usually get to the bottom of the bilge where gas will accumulate, but the blowers are designed to ventilate the bottom of the bilge.

Some commercial gas-powered vessels have the bilge blower interlocked to the ignition switch, so you can't start the engine without the blower on, and the engine will stop if you turn the blower off.

[Marty]

Thank you for all of the responses. I am now thinking my issue could be due to an exhaust leak (bad hose) or perhaps ventilation escaping from the engine compartment into the Aft cabin through the wall. I am fairly certain that the exhaust hoses run under the beds in the aft and then out the transom so I will have to get those inspected.