Am I crazy!

[procraftmark]

Is it just me that thinks that putting a primer bulb on the vro tank is just asking for trouble. I just purchased a 1985 procraft with a 90hp vro, and I keep thinking about how I used to lose prime on my gas line from time to time on my previous boat.From what I have read in this forum is that on my year of procraft I have only 2 warnings, one for high temp and one for LOW OIL in tank. If that is right and the bulb loses prime or gets clogged or whatever I am toast!.<br />please tell me I am just paranoid will someone<br /><br />thnx.<br />mark

 

[DJ]

Re: Am I crazy!

You're paranoid.<br /><br />The VRO tank has to have a primer. Otherwise, how would you ever get it primed?

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: Am I crazy!

procraftmark,<br /> My '96 Johnson 225 has a primer bulb on the oil line.The oil MUST be primed to the oil pump before attempting to start.If the oil is not at the motor(vro pump) engine damage may occur. <br />Note: All OMC (oil injected) motors should have a oil primer bulb.....

 

[procraftmark]

Re: Am I crazy!

do I have to bring the bulb up before starting the boat?and how do i know the oil has made it up to the motor?<br /><br />thnx,<br />mark

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Am I crazy!

No, you do not need to Prime it every time you start it. It's only when you service it or run completly out of oil, would you need to prime it again!

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: Am I crazy!

YES,you must prime (squeeze) the bulb until it is firm,before starting the motor.Prime the bulb slowly because oil is heavier than gas(flows slower).When the bulb gets firm your ready.Check for oil leaks at connections.Make sure the clamps are snug....Good luck

 

[sloopy]

Re: Am I crazy!

don't over pump or you will inject oil into the crancase and it will be hard if not impossible to start.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Am I crazy!

I never primed mine in all the time I had it! The bulb, when I did check it, was always firm! If it's not, you have an air leak or other problem! As sloopy said, just keep on pumping that primer and oil her up good, then put new plugs in and try again!!

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: Am I crazy!

rickdb1boat is correct.The oil should not need priming each time you start the motor.If it does,there is a problem.An initial(one-time) prime is all that is needed.If its a new installation or you ran out of oil,priming will be necessary.

 

[MFG197]

Re: Am I crazy!

the manual reads not to prime the oil routinely becuause it loads the carbs with oil. at the beginning of the season or after service d/c line from vro pump and pump the line into a container to make sure there is no air in it. reconnect. there should be a clear plastic part just before the vro pump to verify that oil is at the pump inlet. it is also a good idea to mix that first tank of the season 50:1 and check that the vro tank is going down.<br /><br />not a mechanic but a former vro owner (1990 90 rude)

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Am I crazy!

Also as a footnote, Drain and replace the oil in the VRO tank each spring. This will prevent moisture from contaminating the oil over winter lay-up. This is probably the most important step to keeping your VRO healthy! Maintenance is the key for reliable operation on these units. Also after changing the oil, run a 50:1 mixture in your Fuel tank, until you see that the oil level in the VRO tank is dropping(Make a Mark on the Tank). And by all means, pump the Primer the first time you connect it back up after cleaning the Tank! Good Luck and they are reliable, if taken care of!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Am I crazy!

By the way, I too am parnoid, that's why I disconected the VRO & mix my own now! But that's just me!! Type in "VRO" in the search above and you can read for hours what others have to say about it!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Am I crazy!

Mark - I avoided all the worry by scrapping my VRO.

 

[moose211]

Re: Am I crazy!

I HAD A 86 JOHNSON 70HP VRO I MIX THE OIL@GAS 50 TO 1 IT SAFER THAT WAY THROUGH THE PUMP OUT