Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

[duffill]

Hi there,<br />I hope that someone can help interpret these symptoms.<br /><br />Just had the boat back from a full engine service and thought that I'd test it before putting back on the water.<br /><br />Ran the engine first of all in a well-filled barrel. This gave a strong flow of slightly warm water from tell-tale, but after a few minutes an intermittent alarm sounded from control unit.<br /><br />Immediately shut down but later on tried running using flush muffs. This time there was no flow from the tell-tale but after a few minutes a continuous alarm sounded.<br /><br />Should I expect a different result at the tell-tale when using flush muffs, and any thoughts on the different alarm tones?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

Hey duffill, how are things across the pond?<br /><br />First the alarms.<br /><br />Steady tone means over heat.<br /><br />1/2sec tone every 20sec's or so means the VRO tank level is low.<br /><br />1/2sec tone every 1/2sec means the VRO pump oil supply is restricted and the pump is not getting oil. This tone will be a very urgent sounding tone.<br /><br />When you run the engine in the drum, did you make sure the water level was well above the mating line between the lower unit and midsection? These pumps must be in the water to work properly and can not "suck" water.<br /><br />By the way, did the service place replace your pump as part of the tune-up?<br /><br />Keep us posted. Thanks.

 

[duffill]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

Thanks OBJ,<br /><br />It's good to hear from you.<br /><br />Everything, apart from the weather, is good here. Still, what can you expect in this misty isle in January. Looking forward to the new season.<br /><br />Thanks for your help on interpreting the alarm tones. This is just what I needed to know. I've got the Clymer Shop Manual but there isn't much information on this topic. I think I need to get an operator's manual.<br /><br />From your comments, it seems that I had the VRO pump alarm when running in the barrel. Just as you describe, it sounded very urgent and from memory, had a 1/2 second on/off cycle. By the way, the water level was well up above the mating line and the water pump was replaced during service.<br /><br />With respect to the oil pump alarm, I might consider disabling the VRO system and running on premix, or possibly, a fresh tank of oil and a system clean-out might be worth trying.<br /><br />When running with the flushing collar, it seems that I had the over-heat alarm (continuous tone). I'm still wondering why this occurred with the flusher but not in the barrel.<br /><br />Thanks once again.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

Emptying the oil reservoir and cleaning is out is a good idea. Also replace the filter sock at the botton of the unit. When you reconnect the hose, squeeze the VRO tank primer bulb until you get a good stream of oil out the hose, then push on to the nipple at the engine pan. Watch the little clear indicator just before the pump and squeeze the primer again to get the oil up into the pump. Run the engine again and check for alarms. You may also want to run the first tank of gas with oil in it till you know if the VRO is working and pumping oil like it should. You can mark some lines on the oil reservoir so you can gage oil use.<br /><br />Mix the gas tank with a 50:1 mix.<br /><br />Do keep us posted as to your progress....<br /><br />Thanks from the Colonies.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

OBJ gives good advice. But on an 1986 model, I'd be leary of that VRO. Personally, I'd pre-mix at this point for fear of failure on that old pump or at least update to the newer 4-wire pump.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

duffill...Rick brings up a good point. You should check the wire harness and see if it is a three wire or four wire harness. If it has four wires, (purple, black, gray and tan) then you should be OK. But still run the next tank mixed at 50:1 and check oil usage at the reservoir.<br /><br />Thanks Rick for metioning that. <br /><br />Keep us posted duffill. Thanks.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

"squeeze the VRO tank primer bulb until you get a good stream of oil out the hose, then push on to the nipple at the engine pan."<br /><br />One thing that many of us are not aware of is the large number of bulb squeezes required to get the air out of the oil line and get the line full of oil. It isn't like the fuel primer bulb where just a few squeezes is all that is needed.<br />I'm sure it took at least 20 to 30 when I cleaned and refilled my VRO tank and line. I was concerned until I read in the service manual that 50 squeezes could be required.<br /><br />Charles

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

also, check the float in the tank to be sure it's operating properly.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

The original oil primer bulbs were small and seemed to take for ever to pump up. The replacements are regular size with 1/4" barbs. Makes it a lot easier to prime.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

Good advice OBJ, as always. They were a bear to prime up! But I "fixed" that by going to pre-mix.

 

[duffill]

Re: Johnson 40 hp VRO 1986 - alarm being triggered

Thanks OBJ, Rick and CharlesW.<br /><br />Thank you for all the good advice and information. I'll keep you informed about longer-term developments.<br /><br />This was my first enquiry to this forum and it's been a real pleasure to hear from fellow enthusiasts in the USA.