Another VRO Thread

[Aquaman-PSD]

I have seen a few threads from a while ago on here about the VRO on the Johnson Motors. I am getting ready to purchase boat with an '86 Johnson GT200 with the VRO oil mixer. I have heard a lot of horror stories on here about the VRO malfunctioning and blowing motors, but I haven't seen much on what to do if the VRO is functioning fine. Should I go through the trouble of figuring out how to delete it and just pre mix my fuel or just leave it and keep an eye on it? The guy that I am purchasing the boat from said that there is an alarm in the steering column that goes off if the VRO stops working, but on a 26 year old motor should I trust it? Any input about any other quirks with this motor would be helpful as well.

 

[cokeman22]

Re: Another VRO Thread

U should b fine there r ways to test the alarm . Mine went last season and my motor went into SLOW mode to prevent blowing the motor .

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: Another VRO Thread

Ok I guess I will just let it go and keep an eye on it. Thanks for the input.

 

[jere1972]

Re: Another VRO Thread

I've heard both ways from many! VRO2 seems to be pretty reliable though, just seems to get a lot of blame for things that really had nothing to due with the VRO (ie..clogged jets=no/lack of fuel to a cylinder=no oil to a cylinder=not the VRO's fault) but th eVRO gets blamed, however with mine I don't mind the extra effort needed to mix, mine was functional but I bypassed it (old school I suppose), and I mix my oil, just one more piece of mind while on the water!

 

[boobie]

Re: Another VRO Thread

I believe on a vro mtr if you have a no oil warning and get the beeps the mtr will not go into SLOW. Only an over heat can put it into SLOW.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Another VRO Thread

I have a 1986 110 VRO & love it!
Did I mention i bypassed the VRO stuff & just run mixed & have ZERO worries now

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Another VRO Thread

Many of the 1989 and newer V6 single power packs were updated with additional SLOW warning features. This includes slow operation for: no oil, low oil, overheats and fuel vacuum signals.

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: Another VRO Thread

This one is an 1986 200hp. does this mean that this one wont have alarms? I am thinking about bypassing but my soon to be father in law may take the boat out from time to time and I don't want him to forget and blow the whole thing up... Its kind of a risk-benifit descision. It is worth the slight risk of hurting or killing the motor to not have to worry about mixing.... hmmmmm

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Another VRO Thread

Many of the 1989 and newer V6 single power packs were updated with additional SLOW warning features. This includes slow operation for: no oil, low oil, overheats and fuel vacuum signals.

The SLOW feature that lowers rpm to about 2500 only is designed for an overheat condition in the carbureted motors. There is a diode inside the engine wiring harness that isolates any other alarm sensor from triggering SLOW. Better read a service manual closely, or even an owners manual for one of those motors.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Another VRO Thread

Looking through both an 86 service manual and an 86 sales brochure indicates that SLOW was not available that year-on any model. The sales brochure that year pushes these special features for the 90 degree big block V6 engines: loop charged, 35 amp alternator, oil injection and power steering. No mention of SLOW.

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: Another VRO Thread

Thats good to know. Where did you find that information? Also does that mean that i have power steering? Hmm didn't know that either!!

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Another VRO Thread

You do not have the slow feature in 1986. It came out in 1988 with the invent of the combined power packs. Meaning. If you look at the top of the motor, do you have two individual power pack or on big one? If you have two individual, witch you should have for that year, then you do not have slow feature.

If the horn goes off, this will indicate that you fuel side, or oil side is not functioning properly. That is your only warning. If the sensors are not working than you have no warning anything is wrong. That is why they use to bypass the VRO oil mixing.....

In 1988 the slow feature trigger if there was a drop in fuel pressure or oil. But could still blow the motor if keep running if there was no oil.

Your peace of mind if up to you. I have the same problem with my father. But I have a 80 gallon tank. I make sure there is adaquate fuel/oil mix in the tank before he goes fishing...... Another peace of mind.....

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Another VRO Thread

Power steering was an option that year. You will need to llook at the tilt tube and see if any hydralic hose are coming from it. If there are not, then you don't.

You will want to find out if you have this feature. If you run that system with low fluid, then you risk ruining the pump. Very expensive.....

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: Another VRO Thread

If you look at the top of the motor, do you have two individual power pack or on big one? If you have two individual, witch you should have for that year, QUOTE]

Thats strange because I am pretty sure that it only had one big one. There is a big plastic cover on the transom side of the motor but I think this is just a cover for the carbs? This is kind of an off the wall questions but are we sure that Johnson even made a 200hp before 1988 because I can't seem to find anything on them...

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Another VRO Thread

JK is correct. You have twin power packs. You may not be familiar with the factory parts lists which are available on the web: epc.brp.com.
You can scroll down through all of the older OMC engines for information. Even print a copy of parts list for future reference. Even compare parts between years to see what changed. As a point of information, OMC made the first 200 in 1976, as a crossflow. Last of that kind ended with the 1983 model. 1986 is the first year for the looper 90 degree powerhead. That GT200 model is the high performance engine. It probably has more in common with the 225 than the basic 200.

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Another VRO Thread

That big one is the carb intake cover......

At the stern/back of the motor, at the top, just behind the flywheel, there will be two or one power packs. They have wires running down the back of the motor to the coils. These wires provide the power for the coils.

To be completely honest with you, if you do not know your way around this motor, you will realy need to do a "deep dive" into what bypassing the VRO is all about on this forum. You will want to do a seach and read for a couple of hours, and look/examine alot of pics.

I will be honest the best place for a how to, it at http://www.maxrules.com/VROrepair.htm

He talks about how to rebuild and block off the oil side in a step by step tutorial. With alot of pics.....

Hope this helps. Not trying to be smart or rude......

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: Another VRO Thread

No worries. I never dive into anything without learning as much as I can about it. Or I just won't do it myself. Its not what ya know it who ya know!