I just put 1990 140 Johnson on my boat. First time in water, it again started and idled fine, but once I accelerated, to about 3 grand, it began to bog down and surge. It would slowly accelerate roughly up to about 4500, then after about 30 secs it cutout and almost died. Overheat tone came on, but water was still flowing good. VRO was still hooked up. Was running straight 89 octane gas. Unfortunately, my temp gauge is inop, becasue the temp sensor on the cylinder is missing, but with good water flow at all speeds, I didnt think it would be overheating. Anyway, second day, I disconnected oil line at the engine of the VRO. Put 50:1 premix in tank and again started and idled great. This time it ran better, but still ran roughly..surges/bogs,etc, but never cut out like it did the first time. Returned it to mech. I bought it from and he did some CYA I think. Before he even tore into engine, he claimed that because I disconnected the oil line without disconnecting the VRO electrics, I may have ruined a bearing?!? I argued that this couldnt be possible because the gas was 50:1 mixed. He said the VRO electrics when connected allow oil to feed directly to the bearings, but I think there are no such lines in the engine. I thought that the VRO just mixed the gas. Who's right and what could be the cause of my engine probs? Every once in awhile the engine would take off for a few seconds to 5200 or so, then bog back down, so I think it may be carb related, but don't know. Sorry for the novel!
