Stupid Stupid Stupid

[idonthaveaname]

Man O Man. :facepalm: I can't believe I did this. Recently I bought an older Proline. The fellow I bought it from didn't know a lot about boats, but seemed to know what he was talking about. The motor, a Johnson 90HP with VRO, ran great when tested. I don't like to use VRO and know most don't so I talked about him having the VRO attached. It was very obvious that it was hooked up; oil in the tank, the supply tube attached to the motor, etc. My plan was to have my mechanic check the motor and disconnect the VRO system. Of course, time came too soon and we were headed down to the Keys for the weekend. I figured I would take the boat for a test run. I added a few gallons of fuel and took her out for the day. She ran like a champ. A few weeks later, (I had not been to the mechanic) we went out again. I had added more fuel and no oil since the VRO was still attached. An hour into the ride she stalled. I restarted but she was running rough so I took her back in, flushed her (salt water), and let her sit for a month. When I returned and tried to start her she was locked up. My mechanic checked her and she had blown a cylinder; he said probably got trash in the carb and blocked the fuel/lubrication.

He was partly correct.

I decided to part her out and buy another motor in that it was simply not cost effective to repair the head. So I started breaking her down, disconnecting all the hoses, wiring harness, etc. Low and behold, when I went to disconnect the VRO line (it looked like it was totally attached) I found the sealed on both ends and attached as if it were working. Not that simple....It was never attached and the PO or someone before him disconnected it and apparently was mixing the oil into the fuel (like most of us). I ASSUMED the VRO was working. How stupid is that. I totally blame myself for not checking the motor 100% but I am really ticked at this guy for telling me he always use VRO and it was not disconnected. Goes to show you, trust yourself and your mechanic, not the seller. That was a very expensive mistake...and I still have not told the wife...I'm not that stupid. :facepalm:

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Stupid Stupid Stupid

It almost makes no sense that he would miss-lead you about such a critical part of operating the boat. I can only guess what it will cost you to repair this even if you do the work. I trashed a snowmobile engine because of a plugged carb on a very cold Michigan day. That was $800.00 to fix by the shop. On an outboard I have a feeling a new jug and piston could be even more. The parts some manufactures use are not as strong as the rest of the motor, Iv'e been told some of them are made out of plastic, I would just disconnect and run it with my own pre-mix. Sounds like you will too.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Stupid Stupid Stupid

The cost is $1200 and not much of a warranty. One can rebuild for about $1900 and have a one year warranty. I can buy this type motor all day long for about $1000. I think the best option is to go newer with a manufactures warranty and a 4 cycle. I can p/u a Johnson for about $8000 and keep my rigging. Granted that is a lot of money but it's a much newer motor.

Personally I think the guy just didn't know what I was talking about when I mentioned the VRO although I talked about it specifically. That's how it goes...sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you. Lessons learned.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Stupid Stupid Stupid

He probably thought he was using the VRO, not knowing what it was, so if you had also asked him if he mixed oil into the fuel he would have said "Of course I do, it is a 2 stroke after all, don't want to have it sieze up on me......"

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Stupid Stupid Stupid

Yup, welcome to the human race. One way or another we all learn.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Stupid Stupid Stupid

We've all made dumb mistakes. No worries bro. Had a VRO on a 112 'Rude and never used it. Mixed my own. Blew a cyl anyway once. Sometimes stuff just happens.