1997 Johnson 40 oil injected isn't getting fuel

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sfmm

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Tested with known good fuel tank and line directly to the new fuel filter on the motor, eliminating all of the old fuel delivery to that point. Motor fires out starting fluid but won't run on it's own fuel supply. Put in new plugs and after trying to start it I checked them, no gas only oil seemed to be present. Does the VRO pump need to be rebuilt/replaced? It seems like logically that would be the next step but I'm not certain.

Thanks for the help folks.

Semper FI
 
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saltchuckmatt

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sfmm said:
Tested with known good fuel tank and line directly to the new fuel filter on the motor, eliminating all of the old fuel delivery to that point. Motor fires out starting fluid but won't run on it's own fuel supply. Put in new plugs and after trying to start it I checked them, no gas only oil seemed to be present. Does the VRO pump need to be rebuilt/replaced? It seems like logically that would be the next step but I'm not certain.

Thanks for the help folks.

Semper FI
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Most on this forum are going to want to see compression numbers....they also will say no starting fluid, just 50 to 1 oil gas in a spray bottle. The normal way to check fuel pump failure is to pump the fuel ball while trying to start. Not sure the vro works that way. Usually dirty carbs is the culprit. I personally liked the vro system but plenty of people have changed to a older pump system and put 50 to 1 in their tanks.
 
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sfmm

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saltchuckmatt said:
Most on this forum are going to want to see compression numbers....they also will say no starting fluid, just 50 to 1 oil gas in a spray bottle. The normal way to check fuel pump failure is to pump the fuel ball while trying to start. Not sure the vro works that way. Usually dirty carbs is the culprit. I personally liked the vro system but plenty of people have changed to a older pump system and put 50 to 1 in their tanks.
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Starting fluid I must agree is a poor choice but it's what was on hand at the moment. I did limit it to two starts though.

Some additional info I failed to include in the original post:
- Motor was running fine, original owner and has been serviced regularly since new.
- Motor was run low on oil and got an alarm. Topped off reservoir and it ran fine, no alarm as is typical for this boat.
- Got probably 30 minutes out of it and it stalled while underway not to start on it's own fuel supply again.
- It wouldn't start while pumping the ball. Also it wouldn't run while pumping the ball once the go-go juice burned out. Pumping the ball made no difference to the motor while it ran on the juice.
- While it ran on the juice there were no alarms.

Thanks for the assistance!

I'll check compression and post results
 
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saltchuckmatt

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sfmm said:
Starting fluid I must agree is a poor choice but it's what was on hand at the moment. I did limit it to two starts though.

Some additional info I failed to include in the original post:
- Motor was running fine, original owner and has been serviced regularly since new.
- Motor was run low on oil and got an alarm. Topped off reservoir and it ran fine, no alarm as is typical for this boat.
- Got probably 30 minutes out of it and it stalled while underway not to start on it's own fuel supply again.
- It wouldn't start while pumping the ball. Also it wouldn't run while pumping the ball once the go-go juice burned out. Pumping the ball made no difference to the motor while it ran on the juice.
- While it ran on the juice there were no alarms.

Thanks for the assistance!

I'll check compression and post results
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Yes I've used it very sparingly myself so understood. Let's see compression numbers and then report. There is good people on here so expect good advice. Funny, I've seen people rebuild vro's on YouTube but I haven't seen a parts kit....only complete pumps.
 
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racerone

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Do this test.---Mix gas and oil at 50:1 in the tank.-------Bypass the VRO pump.----Operate the motor with your assistant using the manual pump.
 
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racerone

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You are pushing the key in and HOLDING it in while cranking it over ??
 
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racerone

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No ----the primer valve " clicks " when it opens.----It does NOT function the same way as choke flappers.----Best learn how this primer works.----It will help you diagnose issues and boating will be more fun when you understand how things work.
 
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sfmm

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racerone said:
No ----the primer valve " clicks " when it opens.----It does NOT function the same way as choke flappers.----Best learn how this primer works.----It will help you diagnose issues and boating will be more fun when you understand how things work.
Click to expand...
OK.

I did hold it in while attempting to start with no luck.
 
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racerone

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Test this primer to see if is working !----Remove small hoses at the carburetors.----Fuel should come out with key pushed in and motor cranking.----Report exactly what you find.
 
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sfmm

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racerone said:
Test this primer to see if is working !----Remove small hoses at the carburetors.----Fuel should come out with key pushed in and motor cranking.----Report exactly what you find.
Click to expand...
Primers working
132 and 135 psi compression
Runs on 50:1 spray
Won't run on fuel known good fuel

Points to a carburetor rebuild if I'm not mistaken.

Any input or comments are appreciated
 
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sfmm

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racerone said:
Go back to post #4 ----??
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I appreciate the fact that you were on it early.. I just was looking to provide as much additional information as requested in an effort to be as certain as possible.

Thx Racerone
 
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sfmm

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Sooooo here's the update. Installed the rebuilt carbs today got it started and was working to get them dialed in. Decided to put the airbox on and proceeded to drop one of the bolts in the process. It fell down into the cowl and nestled next to the shift rod. I got my grabbers and proceeded to nudge it just enough to have it fall down the hole that the rod runs through. My question is do I need to recover that bolt before moving forward or can I leave it without a major risk of causing issues. I am thinking that it should be alright being as there is a cover on the rod and I'm sure that I'm not the only one to ever drop a bolt and want to leave it there. The boat is in the water so pulling the gearcase to get to the bolt isn't all that simple.

As always, thanks for the assistance folks.
 
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