rotten eggs smell in exhaust

[JimHo]

Towards the end of the sailing season I noticed a whiff of rotten eggs from the exhaust, and of course, put it immediately out of my mind.

After hauling, I flushed the raw water side with anti-freeze and the sea water that dripped out of my bypass fitting ( before the raw water filter) smelled like rotten eggs too.

I had initially thought it had something to do with a power timing attempt gone awry, but now I wonder if it is more likely from saltwater sitting in the hoses for long periods. I'm on a mooring and tend to sail on and off so I can go weeks without using the engine.

Any ideas?

Thanks - Jim

[GregH]

I don't boat in salt water but I've heard about this happening in head systems whereby the salt water (and associated organisms) sit in the bowl/hoses and breakdown and rot causing the smell

[ndutton]

The sulfur smell is organic material decaying, no doubt shipped aboard via the engine intake. An acid flush should take care of it.

[JimHo]

Thanks guys - takes a weight off my mind!