1986 Chris Craft Cavalier 17ft. It's a 3.0 with OMC outdrive.

[wsroufe]

I recently purchased 1986 Chris Craft Cavalier 17ft. It's a 3.0 with OMC outdrive. The second time I took it out it started dying when I took it in and then I had a hard time keeping it running and putting back in gear. I read about the ESA switch and found the switches. The ESA switch will kill the engine if I click it. RPMS seemed a little low so I gave the idle screw a 1/2 turn so it would run while in neutral and today it ran and allowed me to put it in forward. Ran fine in no wake zone and then kept stalling when I tried to accelerate.

Seems like a fuel problem, and I can't find fuel filter. I found fuel pump and took off "bell looking housing" and there is no fuel filter under there.

Ideas? It ran fine when I test drove it and basically fine a few other times. Very frustrated.

Thanks. If there is a fuel filter please post a picture. Or point me in the right direction. Bill

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Cavalier 17ft. It's a 3.0 with OMC outdrive.

There should be a filter under that cover on the pump. Start at the tank and move toward engine looking for restrictions, paying particlar attention to the pick-up tube in tank. That said, it might just need a carb rebuild.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Cavalier 17ft. It's a 3.0 with OMC outdrive.

Ayuh,... Like ZB says, there Should be a filter inside the fuel pump,...
Probably another in the carb at the inlet fitting...
Adding a cannister filter, just ahead of the fuelpump is also a Good Idea...

 

[wsroufe]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Cavalier 17ft. It's a 3.0 with OMC outdrive.

OK. No filter in fuel pump - so next I am going to check carb filter. Thanks. I will keep you posted. No inline filter either so I will be adding one pre-pump as well.

 

[catfish hunter]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Cavalier 17ft. It's a 3.0 with OMC outdrive.

Sounds like you could use a Carb rebuild. May have some trash in it.

 

[wsroufe]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Cavalier 17ft. It's a 3.0 with OMC outdrive.

So, I picked up fuel filters (one for fuel pump and one for carbs) Added one for fuel pump and one in carb was completely clogged black - nonsense.

Started up and ran like a beauty Hope it continues.

Bill