VRO or no?

[Jucofan]

My mother has a 1998 Sunbird 160 with a Johnson 90 hp 2-stroke engine. We are wondering if it is VRO or if we need to mix the fuel and oil? Any idea how to determine that visually? She does not have the manual. Thanks

 

[interalian]

VRO probably, but look for an oil tank that's separate from the fuel tank. That would be a dead giveaway.

 

[jimmbo]

If there is a monstrosity similar to this mounted behind the air silencer then you have VRO

 

[boobie]

Make sure you know what you have before you go running it.

 

[fhhuber]

If in doubt... mix the gas with oil 50:1 (use a good marine 2-stroke oil... automotive oil will cause problems)
Excess oil makes it smoke and will foul the plugs early. Appx $2.75 a plug.
Lack of oil will destroy the engine. $$$$$

If the VRO is active there will be a fuel line to the fuel tank and an oil line to the oil tank from the engine.

If its been disabled that line may or may not be removed...
The VRO pump may or may not have the oil lines clipped and plugged. If plugged its disabled for sure.

Another hint is if the VRO pump's sensor wire is disconnected. That usually indicates its disabled. Disconnecting the wire disables the alarm.

 

[jimmbo]

I did forget to mention that even if the pump is on the engine, it may have been disabled. Good catch fhhuber

 

[Baylinerchuck]

My vote is no to the VRO....oh wait, was that the question? I removed the VRO off my 90hp and put a regular impulse fuel pump in its place, mixing the fuel 50:1. Gave me piece of mind in knowing my expensive power head was getting the lubrication it craves.