Another VRO question!

T-290 · Jul 27, 2003

I hate to beat a dead horse but,I have recently disconnected my VRO off my 89,40HP looper.Since then it has run terrribly, it will not idle, seems to load up very quickly at low RPM's and the timing response on the throttle seems off big time. The plugs are new and the engine has recently been timed. Mechanic states it's as good as it's gonna be! Any light that could be shed will be helpfull. At WOT there is no problem it's only at low and mid-range where I can tell the difference. Thanks for all T-290

Dhadley · Jul 28, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

What spark plugs did you put in?

Bill Stock · Jul 28, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

Did you check all your gas lines for leaks? Is psi line that went to vro plugged? Any lines pinched?

T-290 · Jul 28, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

Dhadley, The plugs that are currently being used are Champions,RL82YC

T-290 · Jul 28, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

Bill S1k, I havn't checked all the fuel lines the only thing I noticed, was were the VRO plugged in at the frontof motor it had been plugged with a rubber hose a bolt in the end with a hose clamp around it! Did notice at one glance that there was some form of leakage going on at that connection. Could very well be sucking air.

Bill Stock · Jul 28, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

t290 instead of bolt in line, I followed line back and removed hose and hose barb and replaced with 1/8 or 1/4 pipe plug,don't remember, but are standard threads.Had to remove starter to get at.

T-290 · Jul 28, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

Bill Sk1, Thanks for the advice that sounds like a great way to close the opening! Did you have any trouble with your timimg after you disconnected your VRO?

Bill Stock · Jul 29, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

No timing problem . Vro just mix's oil and gas.

T-290 · Jul 29, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

If the VRO was working properly would it be right to say that at a low RPM say idle it would mix less oil and increase oil flow at mid to high rpm's. If so than with the VRO disconnected it would always recieve a full mixture of 50-1! Maybe i'm over thinking this whole VRO process. Seems odd indeed that it will hardly idle and runs rough up to mid range RPM's.What would have changed the timing? Does a air leak seem likely?

Bill Stock · Jul 29, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

T-290 Oil mix is always 50:1, little gas little oil-lots of gas lots of oil,but always 50:1 ratio.Air leak changes air to fuel ratio or not pulling in gas. Have pulled hair out more than once. Dad always told me check the easy stuff first can always fix the hard stuff later.

Cricket Too · Jul 29, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

T-290....VRO stands for "variable ratio oiling" so you are correct in thinking that at idle there would be a different ration of oil. If your motor was an actual VRO then this would hold true, but in the early 90's, I think, they changed the oil pumps from VRO to straight 50:1 oiling all the time. If you have an 89 it might still be a VRO. Anyway if you want get that oil pump problem out of the way, I would fully disconnect it and then you can troubleshoot it from there. The timing would not be affected at all by an oil pump and if you just had it at a mechanic I would say the timing is probably correct. Good Luck.

T-290 · Jul 29, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

Bill S1k, I remember my mechanic tell me that with the 2-cyl. looper they always had arough idle! But I can remember that she never ran this rough prior to him tuning the motor. We both new that there was a difference in compression between the two cylinders. A swing of 25 psi. Which he informed me that it was a bit much and the major factor with the motor running as poorly as it does. He ran some cleaner through it to try to clean up the carbon build up I assume.He was hoping the compression may come up a bit on the low cyl., not this time!I will try your suggestion and go through the gas lines etc. and re-plug VRO line as you suggested. Thanks for all T-290

T-290 · Jul 29, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

mmcpeck, Not certain on what type only what my mechanic told me and that is was one of the earliest models of VRO with not many warning indicators. Best thing to do was to disconnect,never felt comfortable with it! Mixing is not a problem for me. Thanks for the response T-290

capebill · Aug 1, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

Had a similar problem with a 2000 70 hp johnson Boat ran rough and would not rev over 3900 ( WOT is at 5400 - 5500 ) Mechanic pulled the boat - said it was a hole in the diaphram of the oil side on the vro and that it was loading and fouling the cylanders with oil ??????? Put boat back in water -- problem not fixed -- pulled boat again -- Found a fuel leak - and fixed it put boat back in water did water test - ran fine My question is and was to him was it always the fuel leak and did I really have a leaking VRO ?? HE SAID "NO it was probably a combination of both" Now this engine has been worked on extensively since it was bought NEW in Sept of 2000 And Johnson only stood good for $239.00 out of the over 2000.00 worth of work and repairs I am sure VRO pumps are not supposed to fail after only 2 years ( I sent Johnson the vro pump - I always ask for the old parts back after a fix - - but it was obvious to me it had been opened - probably to puncture the diaphram by the mechanic ) THEY SAID "OH WELL" there was hole in the diaphram and that it sometimes just happens. That was it Now I have a prop that wont spin and will probably pay out the nose for that too I am almost sure it is a hub problem I had a soft grounding about a half hour before the prop stopped spinning The engine did

seahorse5 · Aug 1, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

T 290, The proper plug for your 40hp is a Champion QL78YC, not the R82. CapeCoralBill, There is no diaphragm in the oil side of the pump, it uses a piston to move the oil. The mid part of the VRO is the fuel pump and that uses a heavy round diaphragm. I've never seen one punctured, but they usually (after many years) will wrinkle and tear where they flex. Are you the same CapeCoralBill that used to post about all the Honda problems also?

T-290 · Aug 5, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

seahorse, Thanks for the heads up on the plug #. I do not have a manual for proper gap, would you know what the proper gap should be? What is the difference between the two plugs hotter or colder spark ? And could this be a factor in the way that it is currently running ? Thanks for all!

ob · Aug 5, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

T-290 The recommended gap on the QL78YC plugs is .030".Seahorse is correct.Those are the right plug for your engine.

T-290 · Aug 6, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

OB, I'm not doughting seahorses advice at all! And I greatly appreciate your confirmation the same. I guess at this point for the sake of my own knowledge, I'm curious about the end preformance of the incorrect plug. That's all!! Thanks, T-290

ob · Aug 6, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

T-290 , I wasn't trying to imply in my post that you were doubting seahorses' advice but rather to provide the gap setting that you asked for and to re-enforce the sparkplug recommendation that he provided.I have no idea what the symptom would be running the other plug ,however I suspect that it would not be favorable to engine performance. Sorry for any mis-understanding.

T-290 · Aug 7, 2003

Re: Another VRO question!

OB, After re-reading my post from last night I think an apology is in order,My wife and I had a confrontation with my oldest teenage son prior to my posting on the board. My wording, it seemed may have gotten a bit amplified by my emotions without me realizing! Ahh kids today! What more can I say! Thanks OB,seahorse, I greatly appreciate your response's to my questions..... T-290

Another VRO question!

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