1990 70 hp Johnson VRO

[treypescatorie]

I have a 1990 70 hp johnson , the VRO is disconected. The boat gas tank has an external fuel pump and a fuel regulator mounted on the boat((1990 15 whaler).I tried starting engine with an external tank and it wouldn't start. Went to the boat gas tank and it started fine. Any ideas on what was modified? Should I keep it this way or put it back to original?

 

[flyingscott]

Put up a pic. My guess would be when they took the VRO off, they replaced it with an aftermarket electric pump. Since that pump is only hooked up to the built in tank that is the only one that would work. I am not a fan of electric fuel pumps on outboards if it was Mine I would mount the fuel pump from the 1983 and earlier 3 cylinder 70 hp. That way you could use any tank you want.

 

[boobie]

Post some pics of what you have.

 

[treypescatorie]

No Title

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Flyingscott is 100% correct. Remove the VRO components and replace with a non-VRO impulse fuel pump that mounts to the engine. I did the same thing with my 87 90hp Johnson, though I had to use an impulse pump from the 88 model year as Johnson did not offer non-VRO in 87. I digress, remove the VRO, and don't look back. A new VRO pump is very expensive compared the impulse pump.

 

[flyingscott]

Since they left the VRO pump on I would re-connect it and see if it works and disable the oil side of it. They may have disconnected it because the oil alarm was going off. That electric pump is not designed for marine use it is designed more for cars and is a cheesey little pump. I have one and only use it to drain tanks.