Wider spark plug gap after new VRO?

[onebohemian]

1987 Evinrude V-4 90hp (E90TLCUR). Just replaced VRO pump and pre-mixed tank to make sure the new pump is working. Should I open the gap on my plugs to account for the extra oil that is going to get burned? Have about an 18 gallon internal tank on the boat and it's going to take a while before I use it up and put pure gas back into it. <br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />Mark<br />Minneapolis, MN

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Wider spark plug gap after new VRO?

Probably no need to do that. You'll be running at approximately 24:1 with a double shot of oil. Same mixture as the old fellas run at. You'll see a bit more smoke, though, you betcha, that's for sure. But I doubt you'll get plug fouling.<br /><br />Of course, if you drive around the lake for a few hours at almost WOT, you'll burn up that 18 gallons plenty fast enough, for sure. A guy could set a new long distance skiing record out there doing that, and you won't foul plugs at WOT.<br /><br />It's a little hard to troll, though, at that speed, so I'd give up fishing for the day.

 

[angus63]

Re: Wider spark plug gap after new VRO?

You'll probably burn 8-9 gallons per hour wide open and 5-6 cruisin'. Just take out the plugs and clean em after your next fill up and enjoy.

 

[onebohemian]

Re: Wider spark plug gap after new VRO?

Finally got the boat out on the water yesterday after having the VRO replaced two months ago. (Buddies have been using their newer boats when we go out so didn't have need to try mine out yet.) Tooled around for about 30 minutes at about 12 miles per hour, about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle, with premix. Wanted to make sure oil pump was working so at end of half hour checked mark on oil tank. Doesn't appear to be any oil usage from the tank at all. <br /><br />Maybe I just haven't run it long enough yet, at a fast enough speed to get enough oil usage to show up against the mark I made on the tank. Motor ran great, maybe a little smokier but I expected that from the premix. <br /><br />Should I be concerned at this point? Plan is to take it out on a weekend trip a week from now and see if I see any oil use after the entire weekend is done. Figure with premix I won't harm anything and it's better than trying to fix a problem I might not have. Any other way I can check if oil is being used while the motor runs on muffs in my driveway? Shop manual appear to set forth a test where you watch oil in a clear tube but I'm not sure I completely understand whether I can do that test in my driveway on muffs. Would the no- or low-oil alarm go off if the pump wasn't pumping oil, or is the alarm triggered by something else (e.g., after oil is mixed with gas)? I've got no alarm sounding, and like I said, the motor ran great.<br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />Mark<br />Minneapolis, MN