Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

[biglurr54]

I have a 1989 Evinrude 120 VRO. I bought the boat motor and trailer as a graduation present for myself when I graduated college. Best presesnt I ever bought myself! When i got the motor it wasnt running and had set for a very long time. I restored the Boat a 1989 Crestliner Phantom. The Gas tanks was half full of old gas. I took the tank out of the boat and fully cleaned the tank out and I replaced all the fuel lines. I cleaned the Carbs, rebuilt the power trim motor, and plugged the Oil end of the VRO and removed the oil tank. I prefer to premix so I can rest assured the motor is geting proper lubrication. I put a new water pump in and new thermostats. I ran a compression test and had 140 PSI on all cylinders. Ive used the boat for three years now with no mojor issues. I have a tough time starting the boat after it has set for more than a week with the motor tilted up. I know the Carb bowls drain when the motor is tilited up so I pump the bulb good and hard before I start the motor. It typically ends up flooding at the boat launch. This winter I've done plugs, wires, and a Racor fuel water seperator.

Should I switch the VRO pump out with a plain fuel pump from a commercial model?
Can anyone find a part number or anything for the proper plain fuel pump for this motor?
Is there anything else that I should change/replace to ensure I wont have a failure on the water?

I love this motor and have had great success with it.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

Sounds like the fuel pump is fine. You can check the output with a gauge. It should produce 3 to 6 psig. I would suspect the carbs need cleaning/rebuilding. See the sticky Top Secret File for more info. An OEM shop manual will also helpful. Flooding is typically caused by the floatbowl needle valve not shutting off, but can also be caused by malfunctioning choke/primer.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

you need to test your electronics....I had a hard to start 89 200 that I put a new power pack and timer base on and now it cranks and runs like a champ..CDI electronics web site has free instructions on how to troubleshoot your electronics.

 

[boobie]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

You should go to a local parts house and buy an open air gap spark tester for around $8.00. Set it to 7/16" and verify you have good spark on all cylinders when cranking.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

I just did new plugs and wires this winter. Old plugs sparked and were gapped properly. I will rebuild the carbs again but there is only three seasons on the current rebuilds. But I didn't have a fuel water separator on it. I will also check out the CDI website. Hopefully that's not the case. That can get pricey.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

The fuel pump is pumping fine and may have a lot of life left. I don't think the motor has many hours on it. With that said I have heard these motors run better with a plain fuel pump compared to a disabled VRO.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

Does it start fine after warmed up? If so, you are having cold start issues, and need to either address your cold starting procedure, or looking into the function of your choke. Have you removed the air box and ensured the choke is functioning? Go to the FAQs and read a thread entitled "Cold Start Procedures"

Let us know what you find.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

The fuel pump is pumping fine and may have a lot of life left. I don't think the motor has many hours on it. With that said I have heard these motors run better with a plain fuel pump compared to a disabled VRO.

The VRO pump probably has more capacxity on the gas side than the gas only pumps.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

I just did new plugs and wires this winter. Old plugs sparked and were gapped properly. I will rebuild the carbs again but there is only three seasons on the current rebuilds. But I didn't have a fuel water separator on it. I will also check out the CDI website. Hopefully that's not the case. That can get pricey.

If you are going to be a DIYer you need a DVA adapter, multi meter, compression guage, inductive timing light, spark gap tester, a long pair of needle nose pliers and a can of liquid electrical tape...then you can trouble shoot almost any problem you have with your motor. The more I am around outboard motors the more I like the late 80s and early 90s OMC and Mercs. I am starting to prefere the Mercs because of OMCs sucky VRO pump that is ridiculiously pricey and has high failure rate. But your motor is well worth taking care of..If you give it proper maintenince and pay attention to tell tell signs it should last you a lifetime.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

Sparkie. I like it. I love my outboards like I like my trucks mid 80s carbed and salt free. At least until I get them! My father always had older mercs and his father always had omcs. My father has had a lot more issues with his 88 merc due to the ethanol then I have had. But the omcs are enormous, heavy, fuel guzzlers that will pull all the boats on the lake tied together. Hopefully the engineers and designers of now a days will take a page out of the 80s book and keep things simple and electronic/computer free.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

I have to add vice grips to the essential diyer pack. So many applications.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

I just went over the cold start procedure and it's exactly how I do it but if I push the key more than one second the engine floods. Gas appears in the water and it can be smelt from the exhaust. I typically swap the plugs out and then try again. Once the engine sputters and clears out it runs great until the next time the motor is tipped up for a long period of time. Ever time it starts cold after being tipped up it runs rich for a minute or so. Could the gas be flowing from the carb bowls into the intake and cylinders when it's tipped up and then when I try to start it, it soaks the plugs and is essentially flooded before I even try to start it? Just brain storming.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

I love the late 80s trucks also..all the $$$$ spent on EFI/DI systems is really a waste,, you will not really save any money on the extra fuel mileage, when you factor in the initial extra cost along with the extra maintenance cost..give me a good ole carb any day. I jsut got my first EFI motor..it is a 2003 Yammy 115 four stroke EFI. first outboard I ever had to take to a dealer..6 weeks after I got it..been there for a week now with no word..I hate being at their mercy, cause they dont have much.

 

[boobie]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

I just love those 4 stroke EFI's 'cause there're so cheap to maintain. LOL.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Evinrude 120 vro 1989 Question

they suck bad