vro pump removal

[tazzy62]

hi guys i have a 1988 johnson 50 vro in very good order but i want to take the good advice from these forums and disconnect the pump and use premix. could someone please help me with step-by-step instructions on how to do it without causing any harm to the engine and so it can be reinstated if i should choose later. also the audible warning is shared by the waterflow/overheat alarm so obviously i don't want to interfere with that and i want the alarm check at start up to work also. your help is this matter will be gratefully received. tazzy.<br />p.s. i have looked at the other posts relating to this but none are comprehensive or specific enough.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: vro pump removal

Tazzy,<br />This is what I was instructed to do when I asked about it for my '90 70 HP rude and it was easy. This will not defeat your overheat alarm and you will be able to reinstall it later if needed.<br /><br />Remove the oil line coming from the tank to the Motor and put a rubber cap and clamp on the exposed fitting.<br />Find the wiring harness that comes off the back of the VRO. Depending on the age of the pump it may have three or four wires, black, grey, tan and if it's a 4-wire, purple. The wires run to a round black rubber plug about 2" long & 3/4" in diameter. remove the spring-clip from it and un-plug it (it WILL be left disconnected or you will get false alarm signals). Next, find the 2 wires that run from the oil tank to the motor. Find the connectors and unplug them, pull the wires out of the cowl and remove the oil tank from the boat. Remember to premix at 50:1 and you're done.<br /><br />BTW - It's very important to inspect the capped oil fitting periodically. If the cap should fall off, it will allow contaminants to get into the pump and it will gum up and fail. If it ever does fail, there is a "premix conversion kit" for 3-cylinder & larger OMC motors (p/n 438402), that eliminates the oil pump section of the pump and cost about $100 less than a VRO.

 

[ob]

Re: vro pump removal

tazzy,When you complete disconnect procedure I recommend testing the overtemp alarm circuit for operation.Depending on the controls your boat is equipped with will dictate how you can check.If your controls have a slotted hole near the key cylinder simply turn on key and insert another key or metal tab into slot .This will complete circuit for alarm and it should sound.If your controls are not eqipped with this slot locate the temp sensor near upper head cover area of engine and with the key in the "on" position ground the tan wire of the sensor to engine and note if alarm sounds.This tan wire should have a connector on it that can be peeled back to ground test.

 

[tazzy62]

Re: vro pump removal

many, many thanks guys. really helpful advice, just what i was after. god bless you and happy boating, tazzy.