Was VRO removed correctly?

[Projectus]

Hello, I have a 1993 150hp Evinrude Intruder Spitfire, model number VE150GLETG, on a 1993 Champion 176 Fish&Ski. I've owned it for a month, and have had it in the water twice. I am the third owner.
It takes 8-10 starts after putting in to get it to idle long enough to get it into gear, then dies about 5 more times before I can get it underway because it dies also when shifting into forward or reverse. Once it stays running, it seems to run very well.

The previous owner said he removed the VRO and had been mixing 50:1. The owner before him didn't seem to care about the boat much. He put cigarettes out on the bow carpet.

Where the fuel line attaches to the engine, there is an empty, not-covered inlet, presumably where the oil line connected. Can this uncovered inlet have any effect on suction? Does this part (fuel pump?) need to be replaced after removal of VRO?

I'm at the very beginning of troubleshooting. I wanted to start with the fuel lines, primer bulb, and fuel filter, then spark and compression.

Two things I know so far:
1. have fresh gas (2 days) after emptying the tank, except for about 4 cups.
2. At the gas station, I got soaked when the gas came shooting out of the filler hole. I had to remove a plug from the tank to get gas to go in normally.

Of course, the engine starts and idles beautifully on the muffs.

Thank you.

 

[racerone]

Compression check first.----Then spark check.----If those are good the fueling system is gone over.

 

[Projectus]

Compression check first.----Then spark check.----If those are good the fueling system is gone over.

I almost don't want to know! If this engine is toast, there's no budget for a replacement.

 

[racerone]

Perhaps check venting of the onboard tank.

 

[Projectus]

I went for the least expensive thing I could think of to do first: Seafoam. NAPA Auto Parts. $14.99
I ran a full can with about 3/4 of a gallon of fresh gasoline, mixed 50:1, from a separate container.
Aside from the wicked headache the smoke gave me, I'm amazed at all the junk that came out while running it on muffs at home.
I took the boat over to a nearby Lake Michigan launch and backed it in. It started up right away, and idled nicely for the 15 minutes I gave it. Before the Seafoam, it only idled for 30 seconds or a minute (in the water). I'm pretty impressed with the product.

 

[Joe Reeves]

You state.... "Where the fuel line attaches to the engine, there is an empty, not-covered inlet, presumably where the oil line connected. Can this uncovered inlet have any effect on suction? Does this part (fuel pump?) need to be replaced after removal of VRO?"

The oil line fitting of the VRO must be plugged, otherwise the VRO will be pumping air into the fuel mixture. THe proper procedure of converting the VRO to a straight fuel pump follows.... check it.

(VRO Pump Conversion To Straight Fuel Pump)
(J. Reeves)

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 (and fuel restriction warning if so equipped) by doing the following:

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.

2 - Trace the two wires from the oil tank to the engine, disconnect those two wires, then remove them and the oil tank.

3 - Mix the 50/1 oil in the proper amount with whatever quantity 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.

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.

 

[Projectus]

Joe, thanks very for the reply about the VRO removal. I appreciate it.
The previous owner told me he removed it because his mechanic demanded he do it. I'm okay with its removal, but I was uncomfortable about the empty port sucking air somehow.
Thanks.
Racerone: good call. The vent line to port was clogged with junk, presumably from bugs.
Thanks.