VRO startup issue - loading up bad!

[Chaparralbob]

I just converted my 1990 70HP Evinrude to a 4 wire pump. As I have seen recommended, I did a 50:1 mix of oil in the regular gas tank, as well as filling the oil tank and thoroughly priming the oil line.

The motor starts easily, but runs very rough and won't come off idle. It is smoking like crazy, and the plugs appear clean, but wet.

Considering the 60:1(?) mix at idle from the VRO pump, and the 50:1 mix in the gas tank, is this an expected result? Seems like switching to pure gas ought to clear this up? This would seem to indicate the VRO pump is working fine, and I get no alarms.

Thanks for any help or comments on this!

Chaparralbob

 

[d.boat]

Re: VRO startup issue - loading up bad!

So this is a change from how it ran before and the ONLY change you made was the new fuel pump?

I've run my engine a few times with 50:1 in the tank and the VRO/OMS pump working..... absolutely no problems whatsoever. That shouldn't be causing your problems.

Have you read this: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html it explains how if you have a air leak in your fuel line, the pump will over oil. First thing, double check all of your fuel lines for air tight.

 

[Chaparralbob]

Re: VRO startup issue - loading up bad!

When I got the boat, it had been sitting for a couple of years. I cleaned out the carbs and bought a new gas tank. The steel tanks that came with the boat looked pretty bad. At this point, the engine ran, and seemed to idle fairly smooth. It accelerated fine. This was done on muffs, though. I haven't had the boat in the water. At this point, the engine did smoke a little at idle, but not anything like it does now.

I installed a new oil tank because the lines were vinyl, and very stiff - didn't want any issues with cracking. I also installed a new 4-wire VRO pump. This boat will be used by my 4 sons at a lake house, and I want the oil mix to be bullet-proof. I primed the lines and could see oil at the sight tube. I tried pumping the gas primer bulb, but it was moderately firm, and only allowed me to pump a couple of times before getting hard.

I read the VRO tutorial you mentioned. Although the tank I'm using is new, I'm still using the old gas line. Makes me wonder if the engine is starving for gas, and making the oil mixture to rich. I'll have a look at the fuel line.

I have checked the warning buzzer, it seems to work just fine when I ground the tan wire. I'm know the VRO pump has a warning for no oil, but I'm not sure if it has a warning for a fuel restriction.

I did check the compression, and it is right at 110 for all 3 cylinders, give or take 2 or 3 pounds. This is a harbor Freight "cheapie" gauge, so I don't know how accurate it is, but I have read that the difference between cylinders is most important.

Thanks so very much for your input. I appreciate the help!

Chaparralbob

 

[d.boat]

Re: VRO startup issue - loading up bad!

When I got the boat, it had been sitting for a couple of years. I cleaned out the carbs and bought a new gas tank. The steel tanks that came with the boat looked pretty bad. At this point, the engine ran, and seemed to idle fairly smooth. It accelerated fine. This was done on muffs, though. I haven't had the boat in the water. At this point, the engine did smoke a little at idle, but not anything like it does now.

I installed a new oil tank because the lines were vinyl, and very stiff - didn't want any issues with cracking. I also installed a new 4-wire VRO pump. This boat will be used by my 4 sons at a lake house, and I want the oil mix to be bullet-proof. I primed the lines and could see oil at the sight tube. I tried pumping the gas primer bulb, but it was moderately firm, and only allowed me to pump a couple of times before getting hard.

I read the VRO tutorial you mentioned. Although the tank I'm using is new, I'm still using the old gas line. Makes me wonder if the engine is starving for gas, and making the oil mixture to rich. I'll have a look at the fuel line.

I have checked the warning buzzer, it seems to work just fine when I ground the tan wire. I'm know the VRO pump has a warning for no oil, but I'm not sure if it has a warning for a fuel restriction.

I did check the compression, and it is right at 110 for all 3 cylinders, give or take 2 or 3 pounds. This is a harbor Freight "cheapie" gauge, so I don't know how accurate it is, but I have read that the difference between cylinders is most important.

Thanks so very much for your input. I appreciate the help!

Chaparralbob

The fuel restriction sensor is only present in the V6's and V8's, so yours doesn't have it. It's near, but not part of the VRO/OMS pump.

Unfortunately, with me, you've hit the extent of my ability to suggest solutions, so I'm hoping others chip in if that doesn't solve it.

Now that you describe the situation a little more, I wouldn't be surprised if it smoked more w/ premix + oil injection. I didn't happen to notice it, but I don't really look carefully at smoking or relative changes in smoking, it's just there. I didn't find any actual loading up or performance degradation in the water though, nor any idling problems on the hose. I don't know if that helps.

 

[Chaparralbob]

Re: VRO startup issue - loading up bad!

Thanks! Everything helps!

Your comments have at least given me a starting point. I will probably just go get a new fuel line and give it a try. I think the local Walmart sells them now.

I'll post on how this works out.

Again, I appreciate your help!

Chaparralbob