VRO pump

[BlueVIP]

So I just bought this boat a couple weeks ago. I’m wondering if I should disconnect the VRO pump and mix fuel. There seems to be a lot of controversy over if these pumps are good or bad. What’s your opinions thanks

 

[racerone]

The pumps themselves are quite good.------Issues come in when folks decide ---" It is automatic so I do not have to do anything "------You have to check pump out put.----Change filter in oil tank.----Test the alarms.------Keep water out of the oil tank.----Make sure there are no air leaks.--------When you mix gas and oil faithfully at 45:1 you do not have to worry.

 

[BlueVIP]

How do I check output, change filter, check for water, and make sure no air leaks?

 

[Calebwitdafro]

Pull the top fuel line of the VRO and make sure it is pumping. It will go in pulses. Collect the fuel with a DRY water bottle and let sit for 20 minutes. You will see a gel type substance at the bottom of the bottle if you have water. Very small amounts is not a big deal, but if it's substantial, you need to drain your fuel tank. Your filter is your inline fuel filter, disconnect and make sure you can blow through it easily by mouth. Air leaks can be tested with some soapy water in a spray bottle. Run the engine and spray down all lines. Just like finding a leak in a tire. Lastly, you can use brake cleaner to spray around to see if the engine bogs down. That will also indicate a leak.

 

[dingbat]

How do I check output, change filter, check for water, and make sure no air leaks?

Same way I've proven performance of mine over the past 15 years... run it

Output...Has boat been run for more than 15 minutes since you've owned it? If its not seized by now output is sufficient.

Filter.....Still running OE 1998 filter in oil tank.

Water....Tilt oil tank to one side and take a sample from the bottom with a turkey baster or something comparable. Changed OE oil tank on mine after 15 years due to permeation issues. No contamination in the tank whatsoever

Air leaks...Squeeze oil primer, stay firms, no leaks

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

 

[Bobbywolf]

I am a firm believer of mixing your own fuel and ditching the VRO. Another issue that can arise is the rubber oil lines becoming aged and brittle, and breaking. I had a 70 mercury that I bought for next to nothing because of this issue and had to rebuild it.

Basically, when they work, they work great and generally give no trouble at all. By the off chance that they do fail, the result is a blown motor. The risk is simply to great to rely on something you can totally bypass and do yourself.

You will hear opinions either way, and this is only my opinion, but the small risk of big damage far outweighs the ease of using the VRO.

 

[racerone]

Some automatic oiling units are better than others.----On the 25 / 35 model 3 cylinder motor my dealer friends recommended throwing the automatic oiler away years ago.-----That unit was not the same as VRO units.

 

[Bobbywolf]

The 35 I'm rebuilding now has already had that removed long ago. I guess any 1 failure is enough to make the victim shy away from any oil injection system. I'm sure you are right that some have a much higher failure rate than others.

 

[boobie]

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