Newly Purchased Boat

[Jay Waters]

I just bought a 1987 RANGER 360V with a Johnson 175 HP. Is this a good boat and motor? The motor is a VRO whatever that is. What is the oil/gas mixture? I'm not sure of the year of the motor but I think it is the same year as the boat. the person I bought it from did'nt know much about it. I mixed the oil 50:1 and ran it and it ran excellent. Is this right?

 

[ob]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

Jay Waters, If the motor is a VRO and the oiling system has not been bypassed there is no need for mixing 50:1.I suggest that you either obtain a manual and familiarize yourself with the motor and its components or have it examined by a reputable dealership.If you post the motors model nff of the transom bracket someone will be able to help you obtain the correct service manual for it.Understanding your boat and motors operation and components is an integral part of successful and safe boating.

 

[saylor]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

That is a very good boat, i had a 364v ranger for a long time, loved it.Although i recommend taking it to your local dealer and having the vro taken off of it and mixing the gas yourself.

 

[rons boat]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

Since you are from Arkansas I will pass this along. Come to a friend of mines shop in Heber Springs so you can see all the Motors with fuel injection setting in the junk pile. One new motor, a Johnson is gone because the horn is the only warining that the operator gets that the oil system failed. Premixing of the fuel is the only sure way to get oil to the engine, but there are some ok mixing systems out there. IMHO OMC does not have one. I am sure Allen will give you some of the VRO systems that are thrown away after the motor they were on got a rebuild. By the way Allen love those systems as it brings him lots of business. To remove the VRO from your motor all you have to do is to cap off the hose that goes to the carbrurators and did come from the oil pump and disconnect the electrical connection which is in parallel with the over temp senders. That way the horn will not sound.

 

[rons boat]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

VRO or varible oil injection was implemented with a combined fuel pump and oil pump being powered by the same diaphram system that has been used on gas pumps on outboards for a long time now. In theory the diaphram is supposed to follow the crankcase pressure pulses of the engine and speeds up to cause a richer oil ratio to gas flow. OMC gave this a fancy name and it is really simple. The output of the oil flow is mixed in a multiple plastic hose connector along with the primer piston to mix the oil and gas before entering the carburators. There is no positive feedback indicating oil is being injected. Another problem is assumption by OMC that injecting the oil ahead of the carburator is adequate. Almost anyone knows that when you push on the throttle it is going to take a while for a higher concentration of oil to get mixed, go through the bowl, and finally get into the engine. The oil is needed when the power is called for and the egine needs the lube now, not later. Also, what if the diaphram breaks or a hose comes off or whatever. To too many OMC VRO operators, the horns only real funtion is to indicate that you need to take your motor in for a total rebuild.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

speaking of oil injection systems, he might have the acute mix thing (its not oil injection but an oil mixer that mixes the oil at 50 to one near the gas tank so you always have 50 to 1 it was a great oil injection system too!

 

[DJ]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

Jay,<br /><br />You sound like a newbie? Maybe I'm wrong!<br /><br />Anyway, everyone has has attributed the VRO system to everything from global warming to male baldness. Remember, we all fought fuel injection and electronic ignitions.<br /><br />There is nothing wrong with the system. Several things to do however.<br /><br />1. Empty the tank, replace the the pick up sock.<br /><br />2. Check all connections.<br /><br />3. Check warning circuits.<br /><br />4. Refill. Run with 50:1 mix until you verify oil useage.<br /><br />Buy a manual on this web page. It'll be the best $30.00 you ever spent.<br /><br />Enjoy!

 

[sloopy]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

its was the fuel injectors fault that the economy went down!

 

[rons boat]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

OMC's VRO is a premix system not true oil injection like Bombarder uses in the Sea Doo or other better systems which actually adjusts oil quantity with throttle linkage. I'll bet that now OMC is gone, so too will be the VRO System. The good news is the engines that did have VRO but which their owners have been abandoned run great using 50-1 premix. Premix is the best insurance you can buy. If you are reluctant to remove the VRO, just disconnect the horn connection from the pre-mixer while making sure you do not disconnect the overtemp sensor(s). The 175 and any other former VRO motors will last a long time and run great on pre-mix 50-1. Even the owners manuals with VRO systems suggested pre-mix during break in. Be brave, ask Bombarder, the new owner and see what they say. For the record the Capacitor Discharge System that replaced the Points and Condensor are great and were deeply appreciated by me when they were introduced in the early 70s. Some of the early OMC modules are still performing perfectly after over 30 yrs. I don't believe OMCs VRO is in that league.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

Jay.I run a 365v with a Evinrude 175 vro.The boat is excellent and I have had no problems with the engine related to the vro system.If you call Ranger,you should be able to get a manual for the boat and trailer you have either free or at a reasonable price and will help you learn all the features as well as giving parts lists.I suggest that you purchase a separate Johnson manual for the engine.<br />Enjoy!

 

[Jay Waters]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

Thanks for the replies. I think the oil injector has already been undone (not sure). When I turn the key I only get a faint dull sounding beep. This is my first big motor and I want it to last for tournaments. I have paperwork on the motor that consists of rebuilt carbs, head gaskets, and other things that are recent that leads me to believe that the motor has a fresh rebuild. Like I said I mixed the oil 50:1 and it runs very hard. Thanks

 

[ob]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

Jay ,You'll need to verify whether the VRO is in fact in use or has been bypassed in order for us to recommend whether you continue to mix 50:1 or not.

 

[rons boat]

Re: Newly Purchased Boat

Sounds like the previous owner found out the hard way or it wouldn't have needed a rebuild. Good luck its a great motor without the VRO and its ok to just not fill the oil tank with the 50/1 mix. To know for sure if it has been removed check the plastic multitap connection to the carbs, primer, and gas pump. The manifold operated device is a combined fuel and oil pump with one connection to the crankcase for both. There is a seperate output for both oil and gas. If there is no connection to the oil output connection of the oil pump to the plastic multconnector, it will be obvious. I'am told that some just disconnect the horn connection, but I have never done that. On a 50hp there is one connection to each carb, a connection to the gas pump, a connection to the primer, and a seperate connection to the oil pump. Look under the hood and tell us what you see.