1988 Johnson 70hp - VRO or not to VRO?

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Im trying to figure out what I would prefer and have read so much about VRO's my heads spinning. My new motor is a 1988 Johnson 70hp VRO. I've always premixed and am comfortable doing it. Its a small tank so not really a big deal to me. Being a 37 year old motor and I know it had been sitting for a while before I bought it so Im leaning towards bypassing the VRO. Really just for peace of mind. (Im a worrier) I am planning on doing a lot of trolling so I know the 50:1 mix can foul plugs. Will running some seafoam and using a good synthetic 2 stroke oil help with that? My logic is that an old VRO pump on a 1988 outboard is not worth the worry. I have checked compression and all 3 cylinders are 124 psi and the motor I believe was well looked after by the older gentleman I got it from. Now I just want to continue taking care of it without breaking the bank.

Does VRO or no VRO really matter on a motor of this age as long as your comfortable pre mixing?

Just looking for some opinions, sorry to open this can of worms again but I've convinced myself into and out of it so many times already lol.

 

[flyingscott]

It will run fine on a 50-1 mix.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Im trying to figure out what I would prefer and have read so much about VRO's my heads spinning. My new motor is a 1988 Johnson 70hp VRO. I've always premixed and am comfortable doing it. Its a small tank so not really a big deal to me. Being a 37 year old motor and I know it had been sitting for a while before I bought it so Im leaning towards bypassing the VRO. Really just for peace of mind. (Im a worrier) I am planning on doing a lot of trolling so I know the 50:1 mix can foul plugs. Will running some seafoam and using a good synthetic 2 stroke oil help with that? My logic is that an old VRO pump on a 1988 outboard is not worth the worry. I have checked compression and all 3 cylinders are 124 psi and the motor I believe was well looked after by the older gentleman I got it from. Now I just want to continue taking care of it without breaking the bank.

Does VRO or no VRO really matter on a motor of this age as long as your comfortable pre mixing?

Just looking for some opinions, sorry to open this can of worms again but I've convinced myself into and out of it so many times already lol.

My vote would be to keep the very reliable vro and quit worrying.

Pull the vro apart, inspect it and replace what's bad. Typically the fuel side diaphragm fails flooding your engine with oil. Vro is rarely the cause of engine failure. Once up and running, hook up 50 to 1 in a portable tank and record fuel and oil use. (Mark the vro oil tank with a sharpie) Make sure they match up then discontinue the 50 to 1 tank.

Motor would rather have the vro.

 

[racerone]

At 50:1 it will not foul plugs when trolling.

 

[flyingscott]

My vote would be to keep the very reliable vro and quit worrying.

Pull the vro apart, inspect it and replace what's bad. Typically the fuel side diaphragm fails flooding your engine with oil. Vro is rarely the cause of engine failure. Once up and running, hook up 50 to 1 in a portable tank and record fuel and oil use. (Mark the vro oil tank with a sharpie) Make sure they match up then discontinue the 50 to 1 tank.

Motor would rather have the vro.

Are you sure the 88 VRO is the good one?

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Are you sure the 88 VRO is the good one?

This VRO is the 3 wire version if that makes a difference? I Think VRO2 came out later but im not sure. I'm not a mechaniac by any stretch buy pretty handy so could youtube my way throught taking it apart and maybe understanding it more. Seems to be no middle ground on this one.

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

It will run fine on a 50-1 mix.

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Thanks, any motor I've ever had ran 50:1 so this VRO debate I discovered has been a real head scratcher for me.

 

[racerone]

The price of a new factory VRO is scary.-----A convention pump is an easy decision for me.----Instead of near $1000 ca for a new VRO pump , I repair the old style pump with a new $10 diaphragm.

 

[cyclops222]

I ...ONLY.... measure out the oil into a clear plastic soda bottle. It has a THICK black magic marker line all the way around it. I fill it up before I go to the refueling dock. At the dock I pour the oil into the tank....FIRST.... Then squeeze the gas nozzle trigger. I have never changed that sequence. 2 1980s and 1990s Evinrudes still troll & WOT great. Millions of all summer fishing hours every day.
I did buy both brand new. Makes a difference.
I would NEVER trust any automatic oiler. Especially a used motor.

 

[rolmops]

Unless the 1988 VRO unit was replaced by a newer version, it is still the type that pumps variable amounts of oil anywhere between 1:50 to 1:100 mixture dependent on the rpm. This has blown up a ton of engines. The later (post 1990) VRO is no longer a true VRO but an oil pump that provides a constant 1:50 mix. If yours is post 1990 you are fine, If it is the earlier version, you may have trouble at some point.

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

The previous owner did say he had the VRO pump replaced but couldn't remember when. Can I tell what version I have?

 

[rolmops]

The outside of them look the same. They must have a model or serial number printed on them somewhere. Armed with that model # you should be able to find out what you have. The fact that your engine is still in one piece makes me think that you have the newer version.

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

The outside of them look the same. They must have a model or serial number printed on them somewhere. Armed with that model # you should be able to find out what you have. The fact that your engine is still in one piece makes me think that you have the newer version.

 

[Jimmy Starcraft]

Im in the process of getting the motor off the boat and onto a stand I built for it. I will take a look for a serial number. So if its the newer version would it not variable and just mixing at 50:1? Thanks

 

[redneck joe]

I just can't bring myself to depend on yet one more 'system' in to the mix (pun intended). If I can afford it in a couple years when I retire I'm buying a 70s or older truck that has already been restored.

 

[tphoyt]

One of neighbors restores trucks from good old days. They are more expensive than new but then again they are new. He will only do frame off restoration and every nut and bolt is touched.
It can take up to two years per truck and he has a waiting list.

 

[rolmops]

Im in the process of getting the motor off the boat and onto a stand I built for it. I will take a look for a serial number. So if its the newer version would it not variable and just mixing at 50:1? Thanks

that's correct

 

[airshot]

In my area we have quite a few marine repair shops, so when I first bought a used motor with VRO system, I talked to a number if mechanics about the system. Most all recomended switching to the premix method do to questionable reliability of the VRO. A few years back I picked up a Mercury motor with oil on injection system. Went back and talked to these same old timer mechanics about this oil system. All agreed it was a better injection system so I keep using it. I can say it is nice not having to mix, but would rather mix than loose an engine if the oil injection system failed. Could be a tough decision.......

 

[kenmyfam]

Lost the fuel side on my 1985 140 with VRO on vacation many years ago. Put on a regular pump and pre-mixed from that day on at 50 to1. Never had any issues trolling or full out. Peace of mind as well. If there is fuel getting there then the oil is there as well !!!! There's a thread out here somewhere I did on the change over.