I own a 1974 Ericson 27 with a Palmer P60 (newly rebuilt), new exhaust system (from manifold to transom), new fuel pump and fuel lines, new blower, etc... Connections appear to be tight and leak free. I believe this engine was factory installed. Probably Ericson bought stock from Palmer when they ceased production. The engine compartment was apparently made for an Atomic 4 which is a little bit shorter. The wooden engine cover was extended about 11/4" to accomodate the extra length causing it to not seal well all around.
Ventilation consists of an engine compartment mounted blower with 3" hose terminating in a transom mount cowl vent. The battery compartment also has a 3" hose (passive) terminating in a transom mount cowl vent. The engine and battery compartment do not appear to be sealed adequately from the cabin. In fact there are about 15 - 1/4" holes drilled toward the aft portion of the floor of the quarterberth. The battery compartment and engine compartment are not sealed from each other. There are access holes cut between them. The one closest to the batteries has a wooden plate to cover the access area but further aft it is open.
The problem is after being under power for some time (45min - 1 hour) the cabin has an oily/faint gas/general engine smell odor. It is not like a strong explosive gas smell. I always run the blower under power. I try to keep the bilge clean which certainly develops a similar smell.
I plan to seal the battery/engine compartment as well as I can from the cabin including the 15 - 1/4" holes. I also plan to install a 3" in-line blower on the passive battery compartment hose.
The question is (whew!, finally!) one of safety.
Am I correct in sealing the engine/battery compartment extra well from the cabin?
Should the in-line blower draw air into the battery compartment while the engine blower blows it out (creating a flow through effect)? Or should the in-line blower also evacuate the battery compartment, which again is not completely sealed from the engine compartment?
Am I missing something?
The goal is to be able to run the engine for a lengthy time without smelling anything in the cabin while maintaining the utmost in safety.
Thanks in advance.
Steve Slaughter
Ventilation consists of an engine compartment mounted blower with 3" hose terminating in a transom mount cowl vent. The battery compartment also has a 3" hose (passive) terminating in a transom mount cowl vent. The engine and battery compartment do not appear to be sealed adequately from the cabin. In fact there are about 15 - 1/4" holes drilled toward the aft portion of the floor of the quarterberth. The battery compartment and engine compartment are not sealed from each other. There are access holes cut between them. The one closest to the batteries has a wooden plate to cover the access area but further aft it is open.
The problem is after being under power for some time (45min - 1 hour) the cabin has an oily/faint gas/general engine smell odor. It is not like a strong explosive gas smell. I always run the blower under power. I try to keep the bilge clean which certainly develops a similar smell.
I plan to seal the battery/engine compartment as well as I can from the cabin including the 15 - 1/4" holes. I also plan to install a 3" in-line blower on the passive battery compartment hose.
The question is (whew!, finally!) one of safety.
Am I correct in sealing the engine/battery compartment extra well from the cabin?
Should the in-line blower draw air into the battery compartment while the engine blower blows it out (creating a flow through effect)? Or should the in-line blower also evacuate the battery compartment, which again is not completely sealed from the engine compartment?
Am I missing something?
The goal is to be able to run the engine for a lengthy time without smelling anything in the cabin while maintaining the utmost in safety.
Thanks in advance.
Steve Slaughter