missing VRO

[full_boat]

Hi Guys,<br />First time caller, long time listner....<br />Here's the thing. i "inherited' A boat, 1984 malibu, W/ a Johnson, 90 hp v4. It should have had a Vro mech on it...Anyway for the maiden voyage i gassed her up and hit the water. Eased out of the wake zone and hit the gas. Bout the time she topped out, she cut out. Warning horn sounding, i waited til she cooled off. started up and failed again. I started her again and eased on in to shore.Lifted the engine cover and found no VRO,and no oil...ooops.<br />Now my question: i've mixed in oil w/ gas. Compression is good, engine runs. haven't really hit the gas yet to see top end.<br /><br />Could these pistons be scored, my mechanic says (sight unseen) they're scored and should pay him 1900.00 to rebuild!!!<br /><br />Can i get an opionion here?<br /><br />Also , if at high speed she siezes, what then do i look at, if not rebuilding. could there be an electrical problem?

 

[OBJ]

Re: missing VRO

Welcome aboard FullBoat....<br /><br />Most likely the alarm you was hearing was the overheat alarm....steady tone. If the rig set for a while, more'n likely she needs a new water pump and may as well replace the t-stat while yer at it.<br /><br />Apparently the previous owner removed the VRO and was running pre-mix before you took over. If compression shows all cylinders in the ball park, that is within 10 to 15% of each other, I don't think you have major damage. Can you post the numbers? Anything above 90psi is generally great.<br /><br />I would consider though some PM type maint since you probably don't know the maint history on the engine. I would condsider a decarb, real easy to do and rebuilding the carbs. Replace the spark plugs, check the lower unit and replace with fresh lube. Ain't nothin' like knowin' yer engine has had the best of care when on the water.<br /><br />Keep us posted if you have any more questions...thanks.

 

[full_boat]

Re: missing VRO

Thanks Laddie,<br />Reworked the water pump today with new impeller.<br />Compression looks good (between 105 and 110 on all 4).<br />Now i'm not great wizard mechanic, but the thermostats appear to be potted in the head. So i'm not sure how to address those ( there is 2 of them). remove the head and found out whats on the other side i'm guessing. but seems i should be able to trouble shoot them with out removing...<br />i'd hate to have to remove them to boil'em in oil.

 

[full_boat]

Re: missing VRO

I guess my next question is going to be," If she Siezes still at top end, where do i go from there... tstats, ignition coils, tear down.<br />Ideas?

 

[OBJ]

Re: missing VRO

OK fullboat...lets go one step at a time. <br /><br />The compression sounds real good. Don't think any damage has been done to the cylinders.<br /><br />Good job on the impeller and also a very smart move.<br /><br />T-stats...look right below the flat cover on the back of the engine. This is the exhaust cover. Right below you will see a sorta oblong box held to the engine with 3 bolts. The t-stats are in there. Little difficult to get to but can be done. I have a 86 Rude 90hp myself and the blocks are darn near identicle.<br /><br />I would really suggest you decarb the engine. The job is easy and all you need do is run the engine on muffs to get it up to temp. (wouldn't rev any more than 1500rpm) and squirt in the decarb. You can pick up a can at any local dealer. Be sure to follow the directions on the can.<br /><br />I also would strongly suggest a service manual. OEM is the preffered manual to use 'cause the info in the OEM manual is specific to your engine. Check the link below for a reprint.<br /><br /> http://www.kencook.com/b/mp1.htm <br /><br />Next time out, be aware of how the engine idles and handles mid range rpm's. Mix your gas 50:1...that is 16oz oil to 6 gal of gas. I would still consider a carb overhaul also. With the manual, it's not a tuff job....no voodoo needed <br /><br />Check engine temp the old fashion way. With the engine at idle, after she has run a while to warm up, you should be able to lay your fingers on the flat area just forward of the top of the heads for several seconds without having to jerk them off. If the engine dosen't warm up with the new impeller installed, the t-stats probably will need replaced.<br /><br />Hope we have helped some. Again, don't hesitate to post any questions....thanks.

 

[full_boat]

Re: missing VRO

Thanks a ton...i'll let you know how it goes. <br />hmmm here's one really bad question, just came up this eve.... i hit the tiltswitch to go down , can here the tilt motor hummin, but no action from the mech...do i need hydro fluid...<br />I'm not the quickest whip, but i do ccatch on real pretty good.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: missing VRO

full_boat <br /><br />You may be low on fluid. Remove the large fill screw on top of the T&T unit after you tilt the unit all the way up(You may have to get a friend to lift while you hit the button to get it to come up). Fill it all the way up and replace the screw loosely and cycle it up and down 4 or 5 times, if it will. Then check the fluid again and top off if nessesary. Hope that does the trick...

 

[full_boat]

Re: missing VRO

hi folks,<br />Ok got the tilt trim in order...<br />drained all old, and added new gas/oil mix. funny, it actually started with the old gas with no oil. Now i can't get her to crank up. Starter engages. clean the plugs and there is no evident damage, checked gap that looks ok. I'm out of ideas for the evening. Any suggestions.

 

[DJ]

Re: missing VRO

full_boat,<br /><br />If it won't start, do the easy stuff first.<br /><br />IS THE KILL SWITCH LANYARD IN PLACE? Don't be embarrased, we've all done that one one. At least I'll admit it. <br /><br />Check for spark, if not let us know.

 

[full_boat]

Re: missing VRO

Thats the first dog-gone thing i checked. I can see me doing something like that easy.<br /><br />Got spark! yup... Here what i think!<br />I think once i drained all the fuel and put new in, that i may have cranked down on the pressure bulb to much. Causing high pressure at the fuel filter. I dunno sounded good...<br /> or tomorrow i just go buy new plugs for the heck of it, slap those guys in. and then see why it wont start tomorrow. Thinking to much oil in gas to fire. I mixed a quart to ten gallons thinking i wanted to be heavy on oil for ... what ever reason, maybe i read something somewhere. <br /><br />Laughing , you know i squeezed that primer bulb enough to force fuel out of the fitting where hose meets filter...<br />what a dork...

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: missing VRO

full_boat <br /><br />Check your plugs right after cranking and see if they are wet with fuel. If not, you got blocked carbs. If you have spark and fuel, it should go. Might try spraying a little pre-mix in the carb throats and see if she fires. If so, be looking to rebuild the carbs. You are fine with 1 quart to 10 Gallons of fuel. A little rich, but considering what has happened, it is for the better...