1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

[southernyooper]

I have a 1986 Johnson 110 VRO. I continue to have an alarm go off when idling. Most of the time it occurs when idling in neutral. It is a beep-pause-beep alarm. If I increase the RPM's the rate of the alarm increases. If I shut off the motor and restart, it does not come back, unless I idle for an extended period. There is no alarm when cruising.

The oil reservoir is full, and have been told by a freind with a 90 VRO that it may be an air leak in oil or fuel line. With all the bad information that is out there on problems with VRO's, I want to ask the experts what may be causing this problem.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

Do a full service on the VRO or eliminate it. I would not run it until you fix it. I have a pair of VRO 1987 110s & I went to pre mix when I bought the boat 12 years ago. I have yet to have a VRO alarm.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

If it's a 1/2sec tone every 20secs or so, it's the low oil alarm. Is the supply line to the engine very stiff and hard? If so, replace it. Also check the oil supply lines in the lower engine pan from the supply nipple to the pump. Make sure they are still plyable and all the connections and snap clamps are still tight. Snap clamps have a habit of getting brittle and breaking after a while.

Do you know if the pump is the original or does it have a "VRO2" tag on it?

Solittle.....get a price on the twin E-Tecs yet......dd

 

[southernyooper]

Re: 1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

Actually, the tone is a 1/2 second on, 1-2 seconds off, or something close to that. But like I said, if I shut off the engine and restart, it goes away.

I checked the supply lines to the engine and they are somewhat hard but still flexible. I will change them out just in case.

I did discover that 4 of the snap clips that connect hoses at or around the VRO unit were broken, and oil was leaking from them. I cleaned up the oil and replaced the clips. I will take it to the lake this weekend and report the results afterwards.

It must be the original VRO unit, as there is no VRO2 tag or marking on it. I'm by no means an expert on any type of engine, but since the oil lines led to this unit (and were leaking oil), I assume this is the VRO unit.

My friend has been running his 90 Johnson VRO for 20 years and has never had a problem with it. I would rather spend the money and get the unit fixed or replaced than have to premix the fuel.

I will provide an update later. Thanks for the help

 

[southernyooper]

Re: 1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

Actually, the tone is a 1/2 second on, 1-2 seconds off, or something close to that. But like I said, if I shut off the engine and restart, it goes away.

I checked the supply lines to the engine and they are somewhat hard but still flexible. I will change them out just in case.

I did discover that 4 of the snap clips that connect hoses at or around the VRO unit were broken, and oil was leaking from them. I cleaned up the oil and replaced the clips. I will take it to the lake this weekend and report the results afterwards.

It must be the original VRO unit, as there is no VRO2 tag or marking on it. I'm by no means an expert on any type of engine, but since the oil lines led to this unit (and were leaking oil), I assume this is the VRO unit.

My friend has been running his 90 Johnson VRO for 20 years and has never had a problem with it. I would rather spend the money and get the unit fixed or replaced than have to premix the fuel.

One other issue I have is the smell of gas coming from the engine. I pump the primer bulb and it remains hard and cannot detect a leak. I bought a new female coupler for the fuel line, and it doesn't seem to be leaking there. Any suggestions?

I will provide an update later. Thanks for the help

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

If the tone is an urgent sounding tone, run premix until you have determined that the problem is fixed and that the pump is indeed pumping oil. You can do this by drawing reference marks on the oil reservoir to monitor oil usage from the tank. The urgent tone indicates "no or restricted" oil flow.

BE CERTAIN the problem is fixed before switching back to straight gas.

I would still recommend cleaning out the oil reservoir and replacing the filter sock.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

OBJ - Nix on the ETEC prices. I figgure though that it would take around $17-18K for a new 225 with the prop spinning. As much I would like one my 20 year old 110s are running fine for now. I may sneak over to the Miami Beach boat show and ask around - - leaving the checkbook and credit cards home of course.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1986 Johnson 110 VRO - Idle alarm

Sound wisdom Solittle......you know.....leaving the check book and card at home......LOL!!d

Try not to drool to much at the boat show.....looks bad for forum members..

Don't feel bad....I'm running a 20 year old 90 horse Johnny. Scoots fine and does what I want it to do. Think I'll hold on to her for a while.