1997 Chaparral 1932 w/4.3lx or lxh carburetor issues?

[jcoelho]

1997 Chaparral, 4.3lx or lxh? not sure. Engine: OK154339. Replaced fuel pump last season. Starts and runs fine but: excessive fuel consumption; run-on on occasion; grey smoke at start-up sometimes; fuel (gas) odor; fuel in water at stern on start-up; soot stains on transom. I lowered idle screw setting - seemed to reduce run on. Recently had mechanic adjust idle mixture screw and put additive in fuel. Haven't had time or weather conditions to run it since. He said it may need carb rebuild if his adjustments/additive do not correct problem. Any advice from expert in this forum? Is a carb rebuild in my future? Is this something an average DIY'er can do? And do I have an LX or LXH, and what's the difference. Has one piece manifolds - yeah, I know there are issue with these. Thanks in advance for your guidance.

JC

 

[John_S]

Re: 1997 Chaparral 1932 w/4.3lx or lxh carburetor issues?

Is this something an average DIY'er can do?
JC

I wouldn't recommend "for you" it if you needed a mechanic to adjust the idle mixture. If this was an auto mechanic, he might not of known that it would need to be in base mode to do the adjustment.

 

[jcoelho]

Re: 1997 Chaparral 1932 w/4.3lx or lxh carburetor issues?

Thanks John. He is a marine mechanic and I took the boat to him for diagnosis because I suspected a fuel pump or carb problem. I'm capable of adjusting the mixture screw. He just did it while the boat was with him - no charge or anything. He just said to give it a try before we might have to rebuild the carb. I've always winterized my own boat, changed oil, drive lube, changed thermostats, impellers, pulled drive, and replaced hubs, races &installed brakes on trailer, etc., etc. Back to my original questions - do my symptoms appear to be leading to a carb rebuild, and is this something that someone with some mechanical skills can handle? Thanks.

J

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1997 Chaparral 1932 w/4.3lx or lxh carburetor issues?

do my symptoms appear to be leading to a carb rebuild, and is this something that someone with some mechanical skills can handle?

Ayuh,... It sounds like the carb needs a Rebuild...
The Success rate of a backyard rebuild is Considerably lower that a fully equiped Shop...

 

[sickwilly]

Re: 1997 Chaparral 1932 w/4.3lx or lxh carburetor issues?

I successfully did mine, and sound about the same knowledge level as you. I read a lot, read the manual, read the instructions, and even posted here for advice. My boat is running great!

Here is the way I look at it. Go for it and if you get in over your head, buy a re-manufactured one online, and mail yours in as a core.

The only problem I see that you have is its boating season -- you could lose water time. This was my winter project.