CJY

[neverenoftackle]

CJY,<br /> Recently I purchased a ’89 70 HP. Johnson on an aluminum 17’ B. boat from the original owner. In talking to a mechanic at the largest OMC’s marina in town about a complete check up, he highly recommended I disconnect the oil injection on this particular series/year of Johnson’s and this VRO’s/II system and pre-mix. SO…I started to research, and came across you asking the same question, on the same engine, same year, on this forum towards the last of July. What was your final decision? Have you heard the same thing that I was told? Any thing you could add on this model is appreciated….John, E-mail me at john@desynergy.com

 

[tr918]

Re: CJY

Do a search on this site for VRO. You will get all the answers you need and more. I have never owned one of the VRO engines, but there were a few years where they never worked properly and many powerheads were burnt up due to lack of oil. I am not sure what years they were. Solution to the problem was to disconnect the VRO and premix the oil and gas. <br /><br />Click on the Red "SEARCH" link. All your questions will be answered. And while your reading I am sure someone who knows more about the VRO's for 1989 will chime in and give you some info.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: CJY

VRO's get a bad rap, alot of problems were blamed on VRO by mechanic's who had no other explanation or just wanted an easy patsy for a blown engine and getting the money for a rebuild. I don't know why an OMC dealer would tell you to remove it rather than suggest selling you the updated, better 4 wire pump. I have been running VRO's or as they are now known OMS pumps, for over 15 years and have never had a problem with any of them, there are newer updated better pumps with more protection or you can just as easily disconnect it and premix if you have a relatively small gas tank, wouldn't be to easy with my 200 gallon tank, but with an 18 gallon tank for a 70hp it's easier, but for him to just say that they are dangerous and it should be ripped off, is a little uninformative. On a motor of that age it might not be worth it to pay the money for the newer pump, but it is a good system and does make life a lot easier.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: CJY

Of all the engines we have rebuilt most failures were blamed on the VRO since oil injection started coming on motors. Even on later motors that didnt have a VRO pump, failures were blamed on it. <br /><br />In truth, the vast majority of engine issues - by far - had nothing to do with oil injection pumps failing. Many times a motor scuffed pistons because the oil tank had water in it. The oil pump didnt quit -- it pumped what was in the tank.<br />Or a single piston had a hole burned in it. The oil pump took the blame for that too. Which is impossible for an oil pump to do that.<br /><br />I'd almost bet your motor doesnt have a VRO pump anymore. Look at the outlet nipple and describe what you see.<br /><br />I have and use oil injection on all my motors. I just bought another boat with a 1990 225 E-rude that has the oil injection hooked up and working since day 1 and the motor has never been apart. <br /><br />If you prefer to pre-mix, and some do, by all means go ahead. If you prefer to not premix then use the oil injection. Just dont be swayed by an uninformed opinion.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: CJY

While I'm certainly not an expert, I do have an opinion or three.<br />1. The VRO or any oil injection system is very nice to have. Premixing is no big problem, but if you have operators other than yourself, can you trust them to premix correctly? I didn't want to take that chance so I used the VRO on my old 1986 40 hp.<br />After the oil tank was cleaned, fresh oil installed and the oil lines purged of air, it worked great. FWIW, it took a lot of squeezes of the oil primer bulb to get a full oil line at the motor. Probably 30 or 40 compared to the 2 or 3 the gas primer bulb requires.<br />2. My original 1986, 3 wire pump did fail during its 18th season. The fuel pump side failed, the oil side was fine. A fuel pump only was close to $200 less money than the VRO fuel pump. I went with the VRO pump for the convenience and in my case, the peace of mind of not having to rely on someone else to pre-mix properly.<br />3. The oldtime mechanic that works on my stuff when I can't, says the same thing as stated in several previous posts. The VRO got blamed for a lot of problems that were not the fault of the VRO.<br /><br />Charles

 

[neverenoftackle]

Re: CJY

Gentlemen, Many thanks for taking the time to answer an enquiry from someone who you don’t know and has no way of paying you back but to say Thank You ‘all. I went out and looked at the pump its black plastic with a large bronze anodized ring circling the front, between sections of plastic in the pump, extending past the sides about ¾” + -. There are the notched plastic pipe clamps, that the factory uses there, as well as some cable ties holding the tube out of the way behind, between the pump and block, that really looks as though they would have to be placed there prior to the pump because of the tightness of the area and drawing up these ties would be very hard. All in all it’s my guess that’s it the original, but just a guess. I would prefer the VRO, since OMC went threw their troubles a lot of marinas went down the road, the one that stayed a OMC here in KC is and use to be (before) one of a couple of the biggest, that’s why he got my vote for the service. So say I went for the new 4 wire system, as let’s say cheep insurance, how much do one of these buggers cost in your area. For a run threw/check out on this 70 HP its going to run a little over $200 this could get (All ready is) expensive! No guarantees but still a lot better that limping back on the T. motor. Again Thanks and may God keep the wind to your backs.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: CJY

Originally posted by neverenoftackle:<br />So say I went for the new 4 wire system, as let’s say cheep insurance, how much do one of these buggers cost in your area.

The VRO fuel pump for my 40 had a list price of $245 as I remember.<br />You might find them much cheaper from a source other than an OMC dealer. I had no choice the day I needed one. 20 guests and the boat wasn't running. <br />O'Reilly Auto Parts can get a lot of marine parts. It might be worth checking with them. The marine stuff isn't on the shelf, but they have some catalogs with info on what is available.<br />I have heard that NAPA auto parts stores have marine parts, but I have never checked.<br /><br />Charles