86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

[1kwik72]

I just bought an 86 23' Sea Ox with a 225 Evinrude on it that runs really good. The compressions are all within' 3% of each other, the carbs were just sync'd, a full tune up/service done with all wires/plugs etc replaced. It runs like a top, but this is my first outboard and I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with a similar powerplant? I'm mainly wondering about longevity and reliability for inshore fishing within' 20 miles of the inlet. I see lots of people running newer 4 strokes, but I'm wondering if these old 2 strokes are worth running. Oh, the VRO was just replaced with a pre-mix setup with new pumps and lines, I was told that this enhances reliability because it takes the VRO setup out of the equation. Any opinions or insights are welcome.

 

[keefallan]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

I hear what you are saying. You want the peace of mind to know that you are not gonna break down 20 miles offshore. I am a crossflow guy and not a looper guy. But the loopers replaced the crossflows. Evinrude wouldn't have done that if it didn't prove itself to be reliable. You have removed the one part that can fail(vro). Now you just have to get past your fears and just go do it. There's always a risk to going offshore.......always. Man up my friend, you can only do what you can do and trust in something bigger than yourself.

The gas bill is the only expensive part versus the 4 strokes.

 

[1kwik72]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

I'm not afraid to go offshore but I do want to eliminate any well known issues with the engine that I have. With VHF, DSC and EPIRB...breaking down isn't really a big deal, it's more of a pain than anything else.

I figured the 2 stroke was going to be pretty thirsty, but for the cost of a 4 stroke I can buy LOTS of fuel to feed this one. I'm not sure about the looper versus crossflow terminology though.

Thanks for the input!

 

[schematic]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

I just bought an 86 23' Sea Ox with a 225 Evinrude on it that runs really good. The compressions are all within' 3% of each other, the carbs were just sync'd, a full tune up/service done with all wires/plugs etc replaced. It runs like a top, but this is my first outboard and I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with a similar powerplant? I'm mainly wondering about longevity and reliability for inshore fishing within' 20 miles of the inlet. I see lots of people running newer 4 strokes, but I'm wondering if these old 2 strokes are worth running. Oh, the VRO was just replaced with a pre-mix setup with new pumps and lines, I was told that this enhances reliability because it takes the VRO setup out of the equation. Any opinions or insights are welcome.

I would change head gaskets and water pump before I felt warm and fuzzy. Also be sure the overheat warning works....

Just sayin'

 

[1kwik72]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

I would change head gaskets and water pump before I felt warm and fuzzy. Also be sure the overheat warning works....

Just sayin'

Water pump is new, good idea on the overheat warning. How bad is the head gasket swap on these motors?

 

[boobie]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

If it was my motor I'd just go run it.

 

[1kwik72]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

If it was my motor I'd just go run it.

That's the most likely plan. We are about to pull the sea ray out for the winter and put the Sea Ox in the slip. Being on a land locked lake with SeaTow a cell phone call away the reliability is really not a big deal. This winter I'll put some hours on it to get a feel for it's reliability. We won't be heading to salt water with it until the summer anyway.

I have a friend that runs a fishing guide service on the lake, he has about 6-7 boats that he runs and he was telling me that the 4 strokes are getting about 4000 hours...now that's on boats that run every day almost all year round. But I was wondering about the longevity of these 2 strokes with regard to hours.

 

[schematic]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

Water pump is new, good idea on the overheat warning. How bad is the head gasket swap on these motors?

Head gaskets are easy on this motor. I've seen a few of that vintage written off because of water ingestion.
If you keep an eye out for lean conditions and refresh the head gaskets, it will likely outlast you.....

IMO

 

[nwcove]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

I just bought an 86 23' Sea Ox with a 225 Evinrude on it that runs really good. Oh, the VRO was just replaced with a pre-mix setup with new pumps and lines, I was told that this enhances reliability because it takes the VRO setup out of the equation. Any opinions or insights are welcome.

if im reading this right, you still have an oil injection system? ( i forget what the remote ones are called), if so, and jmo, those things are even less reliable than the original vro.

 

[1kwik72]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

Head gaskets are easy on this motor. I've seen a few of that vintage written off because of water ingestion.
If you keep an eye out for lean conditions and refresh the head gaskets, it will likely outlast you.....

IMO

Probably do those this winter then. It pushed the boat along really nicely and it comes out of the hole in an instant so I like the motor.

 

[1kwik72]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

if im reading this right, you still have an oil injection system? ( i forget what the remote ones are called), if so, and jmo, those things are even less reliable than the original vro.

No, it's now premix in the tank so no oil injection or VRO. Just 90 octane ethanol free gas, mix oil and stabil from time to time.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

No, it's now premix in the tank so no oil injection or VRO. Just 90 octane ethanol free gas, mix oil and stabil from time to time.

thats perfect!

 

[Greg_E]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

You might want to inspect the magnets in the flywheel. They are epoxied to the flywheel, and over time moisture gets between the epoxy and the steel ring that it's bonded to inside of the flywheel. If one of the magnets comes lose it can drop down and shatter causing damage to the stator and or timer base. The magnets can be reglued. It's not a difficult task, but it does take some time to do it right. Well worth the peace of mind IMO.

Also, If you ever notice that the tachometer is malfunctioning or the volt meter doesn't seem to be reading correctly, get it fixed right away. Sometimes a failed voltage regulator can cause these symptoms and if not repaired, the regulator can overheat and catch fire.

With an old engine like that you might want to check the condition of the fuel lines. If they haven't been replaced, the alcohol in the fuel can break down the old fuel lines and cause problems with the carbs or worse. A good winter project. I know you said you are using ethanol free gas, but what was used previously?

 

[1kwik72]

Re: 86 225 Evinrude VRO OB longevity?

You might want to inspect the magnets in the flywheel. They are epoxied to the flywheel, and over time moisture gets between the epoxy and the steel ring that it's bonded to inside of the flywheel. If one of the magnets comes lose it can drop down and shatter causing damage to the stator and or timer base. The magnets can be reglued. It's not a difficult task, but it does take some time to do it right. Well worth the peace of mind IMO.

Also, If you ever notice that the tachometer is malfunctioning or the volt meter doesn't seem to be reading correctly, get it fixed right away. Sometimes a failed voltage regulator can cause these symptoms and if not repaired, the regulator can overheat and catch fire.

With an old engine like that you might want to check the condition of the fuel lines. If they haven't been replaced, the alcohol in the fuel can break down the old fuel lines and cause problems with the carbs or worse. A good winter project. I know you said you are using ethanol free gas, but what was used previously?

Great post!
I failed to mention that all of the fuel lines and the control cables are brand new as of about 2 weeks ago. I had that done when the I ditched the VRO. The magnets on the flywheel? I'll do that this winter. I'm replacing the gauges this winter and I might just swap regulators as a preventive measure.

Thanks!