Oil Injection System

mbradley

Recruit
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
4
Keep it or toss it and why? I have a 1999 130 Johnson and would like your opinions about the oil injection system. Thanks
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: Oil Injection System

(VRO Changeover Judgement Call) <br />(J. Reeves)<br /> <br /> The VROs first came out in 1984 and have been upgraded quite a few times. In my opinion, back around 1988, they had perfected them but I think that they were upgraded even more since then. As long as the warning system is operating as it should, I feel quite at ease with them.<br /><br />Some boaters have voiced their thoughts such as "What if that overpriced plastic horn should fail while I'm under way for some reason, and the VRO decides to fail five minutes later?" Obviously that would result in a big problem which really brings their fears into view.<br /><br />The word "ease" is the key word though. If one has the slightest feeling of being ill at ease with that setup, then they should take the route they feel more at ease with. A judgement call each individual would need to make on their own.<br /><br />********************<br />(VRO Pump Conversion To Straight Fuel Pump)<br />(J. Reeves)<br /><br />You can convert the VRO pump into a straight fuel pump, eliminating the oil tank and VRO pump warning system, but retain the overheat warning setup by doing the following:<br /><br />1 - Cut and plug the oil line at the engine so that the oil side of the VRO pump will not draw air into its system. Trace the wires from the back of the VRO to its rubber plug (electrical plug) and disconnect it.<br /><br />2 - Trace the two wires from the oil tank to the engine, disconnect those two wires, then remove them and the oil tank.<br /><br />3 - Mix the 50/1 oil in the proper amount with whatever quanity fuel you have. Disconnect the fuel line at the engine. Pump the fuel primer bulb until fuel exits that hose with the tint of whatever oil you used. Reconnect the fuel hose.<br /><br />That's it. If you want to test the heat warning system to ease your mind, have the key in the on position, then ground out the tan heat sensor wire that you'll find protruding from the cylinder head. The warning horn should sound off.
 

mbradley

Recruit
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
4
Re: Oil Injection System

Thanks for the suggestion, now the next question: I have an open gauge on my gauge panel. What would be the best gauge to put there? Engine temperature, oil pressure (if I keep the VRO system), water pressure gauge, or something else? I currently have a tach with low/no oil alarms and temp alarm, engine trim, fuel, and hours.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Oil Injection System

I would go with the Water Pressure Gauge, as it will keep you up on how your Water Pump is holding up and if the pump is truly doing it's job. Any significant drop in pressure would signal a call for immediate attention. You can also tell over time as you begin to see lower pressure readings, that it's time to replace the pump...
 

Cricket Too

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 14, 2003
Messages
1,732
Re: Oil Injection System

I agree with rick on that one. You don't need an oil pressure gauge, as it's a 2 stroke and there is no oil pressure, and the temp gauge is OK to have but given the choice between it and a water pressure gauge, I would choose water pressure for reasons rick stated above. If you catch a water pump or pressure problem with a gauge you can usually resolve it before you start to overheat.
 

ob15

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 4, 2004
Messages
514
Re: Oil Injection System

I would also recommend a pressure gauge. <br /><br />Regarding the OMS (oil metering system – not VRO anymore) I would keep it. I have an 89 J50 & just put a new OMS on it. I have every confidence in it. If you are worried about them horn, I wonder if there is a way to connect a light to the warning signal lines to the horn as a visual indicator as well. I am thinking about doing that.<br /><br />There's a link to an article about the OMS system on continuouswave website (I think). Maybe someone can post the link for you. It's a very informative article
 

DHPMARINE

Captain
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3,688
Re: Oil Injection System

Three ideas,and what <br />I would do ... <br />Keep the oil injection.Merc didn't make it so no gears.OMC made it,and when your pistons do not go up and down it won't work.If they go up and down,it does work.It works off of engine impulse.<br /><br />Add the pressure gauge,then install a new water pump.Look at the pressure gauge,and now you know what it should read.<br /><br />When this reading starts to drop,you now know something is going wrong.<br /><br />DHP
 

gatorred

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Messages
318
Re: Oil Injection System

boy my 150 omc has a gas pressure sencor with oil system it get to low a horn sound's air leak caused my problem I felt like tearing it out by the wire's till i found out it run by computer control. though better of that like my great mazada car I had the oil light I though it wasn't needed till it quit all togather,oil is needed to make a engine run.
 

jhebert

Ensign
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
903
Re: Oil Injection System

If you are taking a poll, the VRO (OMS) system is still in use on my 1992 Evinrude 225-HP V6. It is much more convenient to have VRO than to pre-mix into my 77-gallon internal tank.
 

mbradley

Recruit
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
4
Re: Oil Injection System

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep the VRO and add the water pressure gauge. Now if it will only calm down enough to make the gulf stream for some big fish.
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: Oil Injection System

The OEM manual will show you how to test the alarm systems for the OMS pump. They are easy to do and will give peace of mind that the system is working correctly. Testing the system can be done once or twice a year to ensure you will be warned of problems. I have the OMS pump on my 86' 90horse and wouldn't be with out it.
 
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