1995 Johnson VRO 40 hp

[lakeplacidtroller12345]

Hi folks...thanx in advance for your opinions...I am about to buy a 95 40 hp vro johnson w//pt and t no trim motor there are controls and cables and a stingray not yet attached....the price is 500 or best offer...Am I doing ok at that price? I'm probably not gonna pay 500...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1995 Johnson VRO 40 hp

Great little motors but do not be anxious to attach a fin to it until you properly mount and try the motor.

Do a compression test before you buy and ask about the impeller. look for signs of overheating by discolored paint

No trim motor?? But it has T&T? A motor is not too bad (under $100) but you need to make sure there is a control box and hopefully the T&T system hydraulics work.

 

[lakeplacidtroller12345]

Re: 1995 Johnson VRO 40 hp

thanx bob for the info....I can't find too many posts on that motor...are they mostly pretty bullet proof? How's the vro I've never owned a motor with one before... I have a comp tester to bring with me...I've been boating many yrs just retired back in oct but I haven't owned an omc motor in a very long time the last one was an 87 spl a very trouble free motor...so that's what I now need to know...the rest time will tell...thanx again al

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1995 Johnson VRO 40 hp

I wouldn't buy it unless you'd be happy without a PTT. There is no way to know if all it needs is a motor and how much you will end up spending, but on old motors the PTT can cost as much to fix/replace as the motor costs. People might put the money into fixing a PTT if they are in love with a reliable old motor, but i wouldn't start with a strange motor AND non-functioning PTT.

Maybe your seller will fix it and add $100 to the price?

VRO is an OK system but they make some people nervous and they disconnect them, due to the risk of great damage if they fail. There are a couple things you have to do besides cut the hose, but it's not complicated. To me, the risk is in the fact that it is pump fed; if there was a reservoir that could be gravity fed (like on a Yam) to back it up, I'd be OK. As a saltie, I don't trust alarms to work on old motors either.

There was a period of time when the OMC was struggling but I don't recall the years. You want OMC's from before, or after, but not during; others will know.

The "stingray" (assuming it's one of those plastic fins) should be placed on a table at your next yard sale, not on the motor.