VRO Keep it or lose it?

[strombolichef]

I would like to hear some opinions so I can decide wether or not to eliminate the VRO on my 88 150 GT Johnson. It is working now, however I have had a few oil alarms that cleared once I pumped the priming bulb. I am running it with oil in the gas also because I am a little nervous since the boat is new to me and I got the alarms the first time I used it.

Thanks.

 

[DJ]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

Oil injection systems fail, primarily, due to lack of maintenance.

Do this:

1. Remove the oil tank, dump the oil oil and clean it out.

2. Replace the filter sock.

3. Replace the oil and reinstall tank.

4. Reprime the system.

5. Run 50:1 premix until you determine you are indeed using oil. Draw a line on the tank for easy reference.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

You will find plenty of reading from the FAQ on this topic.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158073
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158081
"http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html"

If you decide to test the VRO system:



Referring to the diagram above, install and carefully secure a 10" length of 1/4" clear vinyl hose to oil inlet on pump. A few inches from the loose end, measure carefully, and mark hose every 1/2" for 3 inches.
Fill the hose with outboard oil and run the engine to eliminate air from the base of the hose. Shut off the engine, and add or eliminate oil until level is even with the highest mark.
Start the engine, and monitor the pump cycles by using a fuel pressure gauge or by putting light finger pressure on the outlet hose.

FINDINGS

At 800 RPM, the oil level in the hose should drop 1" in approx. 5 pulses.
At full throttle, the oil level should drop 1" in approx. 3 pulses.

Testing Table:

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

Oil injection systems fail, primarily, due to lack of maintenance.

Do this:

1. Remove the oil tank, dump the oil oil and clean it out.

2. Replace the filter sock.

3. Replace the oil and reinstall tank.

4. Reprime the system.

5. Run 50:1 premix until you determine you are indeed using oil. Draw a line on the tank for easy reference.

I am right with this reply. I really like my VRO....but maintenance is what they need to keep them healthy. I have put several marks on my oil tank and do a visual each trip to give me a "ball park" that it is using the right amount.
So far so good.

 

[rolmops]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

I am a firm believer in the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle and in addition I love knowing ahead of time that there will be oil in the fuel that goes into my outboard.
first and second generation VROs are known to have problems,so I would say:"throw the thing in the ditch and mix your own".
But then again,this is only a partly educated opinion.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

be sure you motor has the upgraded VRO2 pump.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

It's entirely possible that your motor doesn't even have a VRO but rather the newer OMS pump. It's kind of rare to find any of the VROs around anymore. They've been supreceeded to the newer OMS pump long ago.

All things considered I wouldn't run a motor today without oil injection. It just doesn't make sense. Time has proven that it's way more likely for someone to forget to add oil (or think they did) than for the system, especially the new system, to fail. And before you say "people wouldn't forget" think about how many folks have put their boat in the water without putting the plug in.

99% oe more of what is blamed on oil pump faiures really isn't. The great majority of the time there's water in the oil tank which is a maintenance problem. The pump will move whatever liquid you allow in the tank. Even if the pistons don't like it.

Then you have the mechanic who blames the damage to a single piston on the oil pump. I have yet had anyone explain to me how an OMC / BRP oil pump on a carb'd motor can possibly pick on any single piston and the rest are still getting oil.

 

[Hardcore]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

a nother reason to keep it is that it provides better lubrication than premix for a couple reasons, first, unless you run your boat very regularly, even 2 stroke oil will begin to separate from the gas and you run the risk of running it lean if this happens. The other is that your motor runs better with different mix ratios at different rpms and will probably last longer and run better with a varied ratio.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: VRO Keep it or lose it?

This might help explain more about the "VRO"

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html