1990 johnson vro?

crawfordml05

Cadet
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
25
I have a johson v-6 a50 hp motor. right now i have a vro pump on, and i do not have any against mixing my own gas, i have heard that on older engines like the one that i have that it is best just to take the vro pump off and mix your own gas. But if you do that, is there a fuel only pump that i would need to put on it, or just run the fuel line right to the hose that takes it to the carbs. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great, thanks
 

countvlad

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
439
Re: 1990 johnson vro?

I have a johson v-6 a50 hp motor. right now i have a vro pump on, and i do not have any against mixing my own gas, i have heard that on older engines like the one that i have that it is best just to take the vro pump off and mix your own gas. But if you do that, is there a fuel only pump that i would need to put on it, or just run the fuel line right to the hose that takes it to the carbs. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great, thanks

i have a VRO on my 120 Johnson and i thought about mixing my own gas... since the first VROs camed out they come out long ways and most of the time the VROs get blamed for motor failures....

if im not mistaken your 1990 cames with a VRO2 which has low flow and low oil level(check and see if you have 4 wires)... as long as you check the tank periodically for water you should be fine.... if you think that mixing is easier for you go for it.... i personaly even though i have a fuel gauge would be too hard to figure out how much fuel is in the tank... like ive said VRO's are pretty reliable....

if you decide to go with mixing, you have to plug the oil line and disconnect the 4 wire harness so you dont get any alarms... and you can use the existing VRO/fuel pump
 

wilde1j

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
5,964
Re: 1990 johnson vro?

I ran VRO2 on an 1985 Johnson 140 for over 20 years and 800 hours with never a hiccup AND I didn't have to remember to put the right amount of oil in a every fill. I finally sold the motor and the boat a few years ago. Oil injection gets blamed for a myriad of failures having nothing to do with oiling. OMC and BRP have had pretty reliable oiling for a long time.

Now, oiling on Mercs is an entirely different story. The system on a pair of '95 150 HP Black Maxes was junk. It relied on a plastic gear to mechanically drive the oil pump shaft, and the gear was very failure prone.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: 1990 johnson vro?

Either way will work fine. Premix method is less expensive to do and you have to mix the oil correctly and remember to do it. OMS is easier but more expensive. You pays your money and takes your choice.
I went to premix last summer purely for the cost reason. $508 versus $82 (parts only) I also usually premix cans of fuel before putting in the tank. Oil then gas and then to the onboard boat tank from there.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1990 johnson vro?

if your pump is still working, it can be converted easily to premix, and use it until it totally dies.

VRO conversion w/ pump still working

if the fuel side on your Pump is still working it is very simple. unplug the 2 line harness going to the oil tank, unplug the 3 or 4 wire harness, going to the Vro pump. cut and cap the oil line going into the motor. add oil to fuel tank, mix well, then remove fuel line at top carb, catching gas in a container, pump the fuel line bulb until you get premixed gas to the carb. you can tell as it will change color. put line back on carb, and go boating.


when it totally dies, or you just wish to get rid of it. you can use these.

Vro Replacement Fuel Pump Kit "no Oil"
(for Using Oil/gas Pre-mix In Fuel Tank)

#5007422 it is in the $300 range.


on the 150 it will take 2 of these inline $100 range each
Part Number: 0385784
Description: FUEL PUMP AY
Pack 0395712,0398385,0433390,0438559Qty: 1
Dimensions: 3.50 x 3.50 x 2.25 (in)
Weight: 0.44 lbs
Equivalent Parts:
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: 1990 johnson vro?

Sorry I read VRO 50hp !!! missed the V6 thing !!
Pump on my 140hp V4 is a #393648
2 pumps is correct for a V6 as stated by TD
 
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