94 Johnson 150 V-6 VRO problems

M

mollysyd

Cadet
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
11
I took my fish & ski boat with a 94 Johnson 150 V-6 to the local boat ramp last week. I didn't launch because of low water in lake. I backed down far enough to get the lower unit in the water, started it up and put the gear in forward to create resistance on the engine and throttled up to 3000 RPM's. After a minute or so, the RPM's dropped to 1500. I squeezed the fuel bulb and the RPM's immediately returned to 3000. I kept doing this and the cycle repeated.
Also, once in a while the VRO alarm sounded every other second when I ran the engine at idle speed. If I squeezed oil the bulb slightly (it was firm) the alarm would go off and not sound again for several minutes. I could also rev up the engine when the alarm sounded and it would aways quit. The alarm never sounded above 1200 RPM's. Is my VRO creating both problems? By the way, I tried a portable gas tank to eliminate amy problem with my on-board tank and hose. It still did the same thing.
I did call a Johnson dealer and he said that new VRO's are being constantly updated to deal with gas additives that are tearing up older VRO's. He said If I would have my VRO rebuilt it wouldn't last long. I don't know if he was just trying to sell me a new one at $349 or was telling the truth. Does anybody know where a VRO re-build shop is so I could see what their story is? Or do I bite the bullet and buy a new unit?
Thanks,
Syd
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,108
Re: 94 Johnson 150 V-6 VRO problems

Syd, You could have a fuel pump problem, instead of a VRO problem. There is a fuel pump in addition to the VRO, you might try rebuilding this first.

You do see smoke from the exhaust, right?
 
D

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: 94 Johnson 150 V-6 VRO problems

1994 150's didn't come with a VRO. The fuel & oil pump is one unit and pumps a constant 50:1 ratio. One side pumps fuel, one side pumps oil. There is no seperate pump.
 
M

mollysyd

Cadet
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
11
Re: 94 Johnson 150 V-6 VRO problems

Chris, thanks for the reply. Yes I do see smoke in the exhaust. I think the fuel pump is part of the VRO assembly. I'm not sure if there is a repair kit for it. Syd
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,108
Re: 94 Johnson 150 V-6 VRO problems

Syd, Do you have a vapor seperator on that motor? If so, it may have a fuel pump attached, which is different than the VRO (OK I mean OMS - Oil Mixing System)

My '98 150 V6 has this seperate fuel pump. I do not know if your motor has it.
 
M

mollysyd

Cadet
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
11
Re: 94 Johnson 150 V-6 VRO problems

Chris,

I didn't see a fuel separater. I wonder if I could find a fuel pump rebuild kit and then bypass the VRO and go to premix.

Syd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top