Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

[WaveWolf]

I have read articles on this site on disconnecting the VRO pumps on Johnson/Evinrude outboards....I was wondering if I could do the same on a 1990 Merc. Black Max, If I run a 50 to 1 premix?....Could I just plug the hose from the reserve oil tank to the VRO pump and disable the warning horn wire?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

thats what is was going to say.

 

[WaveWolf]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

thats what is was going to say.

What?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

Coherence can be a challenge for some of us sometimes.

If you just plug the hose, the oil pump will fail and that can cause parts to break and be eaten by a cylinder or two. That wouldn't be a good thing. You can remove the oil injection components, but why do you want to?

VRO is a system that has a lot of old wives tales attached to it. It's not the evil demon that it's characterized as, and Merc's is very different. It also has a seedy reputation, but mostly old wives tales like the VRO. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

Is the system functional? If so, use it.​

 

[j_martin]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

If you're really concerned about oil system failure, mix a little oil with the gas, like an ounce to a gallon. It won't be enough more to hurt anything, but would be enough to cover your butt till you get it shut down if the alarm goes down. It'll get plenty of oil at high speed, and still be 60 or 70 to 1 at idle, limiting the smoke and fouling.

At anything under about 6500 RPMS, the mercury auto oiler is really reliable unless you try to burn down the engine with a bad water pump. Then they will sometimes fail, but usually you've already done in the engine anyway.

hope it helps
John

 

[WaveWolf]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

The system is not functional....Now I'm concerned about cylinder damage as WillyBwright has mentioned....Could I mix at 50 to 1 and take the pump off completely, or should I buy a new pump?

 

[Windykid]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

I like the VRO system on my black max. I would buy a new pump

 

[gss036]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

You would need to remove the powerhead and do a tear down to repair it. Get the parts needed to remove the shaft and a cover plate. A dealer should the parts and help you out on how to do. You can always do seach on this site, I am sure you will find several threads about how to remove it.

 

[WaveWolf]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

Maybe I should rephrase the question........ Is anyone out there running a black max with the VRO pump disengaged?.....How is it working? and how did you do it? I have had enough problems with it to last several lifetimes, and I've had a gutfull......Why would I have to remove the powerhead?

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

If the oiling has failed, it's likely that a plastic gear on the crankshaft has failed. That's why you would have to tear down the powerhead (if you wanted to fix it). There are several other choices. One is disabling the oiling. To do that, you will need a new part which goes in place of the oil pump and retains a bushing which can come free inside and cause damage. To disable the oiling:
a) remove oil pump (held in place by two cap screws) b) remove driven shaft ( a long shaft keyed to the pump and with machine gear teeth on the other end (it will probably have shards of black plastic on it from the gear which failed). c) Install new cover with extension to retain bushing. d) remove oil tubing, local tank and plug the tee at the gas line. e) disable oil alarms

or

Install an electronic oiling system, which uses the existing pump driven by a variable speed motor to pump the oil. I did this and it worked fine, because I had twins and wanted to retain the oiling alarms and keep both motors operationally the same. If you're interested, send me an email and I will try to find the source for the kit I installed. It was ≈ $300 a few years ago and was pretty easy to install.

or

fix the failed gear ... very expensive.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

I think the reason you had to duck so much flak to get to the subject is that your original title was "Disabling VRO pump.....".

You don't need to, it has disabled itself. So to answer the real question, get the block off parts and remove it right to prevent injury to the engine from loose parts.

They run just fine on 50:1, just use a bit more oil at low speeds. Won't hurt the engine. Won't smoke up the neighborhood any worse than it did before.

hope it helps
John

 

[WaveWolf]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

Hey, now we are getting somewhere......I really appreciate the help Wilde1 J and J Martin......I called a Mercury dealer parts place and they have not heard of the part to replace the oil pump?......Is this a black market part or does it have a number?.....Do I disable the oil audio sensor wire at the shift console, and if so, which one?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

Go here:

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78857

These guys normally push their engines way past what murkery's "advanced oil system" can handle. There are many parts available, including official murkery parts.

hope it helps
John

 

[WaveWolf]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

Thanks a bunch, I really appreciate the help.....I gave the number to the Mercury parts guy and he has one on order for me.......50 to 1, here I come.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

These guys used to have a plastic piece I mentioned above for blocking off the oil pump opening. I'd give them a call. I couldn't find the item on their website, but they may be able to help.

http://www.rickracers.com

Jim

 

[j_martin]

Re: Disabling VRO pump on Black Max

Good luck with your black max. Me and my Max are goin' fishing at Voyagers National Park for 3 days.

Bye