No Oil!

[garywayner]

How long can an engine run without oil? The reason I ask is because I started my 1985 115 Evinrude the other day and did not notice the VRO hose had somehow come disconnected, it ran for about five-ten minutes. It still runs fine, and the compression is 124, 122, 129, 122 which is about the same as it was before this happened (give or take one pound). What I am concerned about is if it could have done some damage to the bearings or crankshaft, but in particular the bearings.

Some thoughts would be great.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: No Oil!

where did the hose become disconected, at the tank or the pump? How fast was the engine running?

 

[garywayner]

Re: No Oil!

I ran it at about 3,000 RPMs and the hose came off at the motor.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: No Oil!

Is it the original pump that came with the engine? How long is the oil line from the connector to the VRO pump?

Edit:

The original VRO varied the mix from 150:1 @ idle to 50:1 @ Wide open. At 3000 My guess it was mixing about 75:1. At 3000 rpm the fuel consumption was around 4-5 gal/hr. run for 10 minutes probably used less than a gallon of fuel. At 75:1 that would be less than 2 oz. of oil. Since there was, I'm assuming oil in the lines, the might have been enough oil in the line to the pump and at the pump that you might have squeeked by and be spared any damage.

 

[Kevin W]

Re: No Oil!

It may be wise to drain the carbs before starting it.
it currently has 100% gas in the carbs and even if you put the oil line back on it will take a several minutes to get oil mixed in the carbs again.
You should also run it on premix until you are sure its mixing again.

 

[garywayner]

Re: No Oil!

The hose would be about 1.7 feet from the connection (which came off) to the pump. I got the boat last year and the original owner told me the VRO pump was replaced about seven years ago.

Any more thoughts would be great and thanks for your help.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: No Oil!

It's not a VRO( variable Ratio Oiking) anymore, now it's OMS (Oil Metering System) ,the new pumps don't vary the ratio as much, Still 50:1 @ WOT but only leans out to about 60:1 at idle. 22 in. of hose can hold a bit of oil, you still might luck out. If there was damage done it is too late to change things now so just run it. Keep an eye and an ear on it for a while but don't get paraniod about it. Draining the carbs is good advice as is running premix until you know the mixing system isn't airlocked or something.