vro pump test

[GlasV162]

Is there a way to test a vro pump to see if it is working properly? I have a 1990 Evinrude 90 hp that was diagnosed as having a faulty vro pump. However, after recently speaking with a friend who worked in the marine business for many years, I think the dealer took advantage of me. The motor was running perfectly, except for idling at low rpms. The dealer attributed that to a faulty vro pump and replaced it. I have the old pump in my possession, and am wondering if there is a way to test it. Thanks for your help.

 

[imported_lorin]

Re: vro pump test

If you had a faulty vro, it is much more likely that you would have had running problems at high rpm's rather than at idle. This is because, naturally, the motor needs more fuel at high rpm's than it does at idle. It doesn't sound like you had a bad vro. With the old vro off the motor, you can inspect the plastice body for cracks, and then disassemble it. Inside you will find a number of rubber diaphragms. When a vro goes bad, most often it has a torn or worn out diaphram, and these are easy to spot because they consist of holes or tears in the diaphragm(s).It is really no more difficult to disassemble than a conventional fuel pump-you just need a torx screw driver. You might ask the dealer exactly what he did to determine the vro was bad.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: vro pump test

A late model factory service manual has the tests using a pressure and a vacuum pump for checking internal valve and diaphragm integrity. Flow and alarm tests have to be done on the motor.

To learn more about the "VRO" and how it works, go to"

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html

 

[alden135]

Re: vro pump test

http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/VROflowchart.JPG

This is what you want. Ezeke threw me this link.

 

[GlasV162]

Re: vro pump test

Thanks.........it appears that components of the pump can be replaced, rather than replacing the entire pump to the tune of over $400.00 parts/labor. Is this correct? The delaer told me a diaphragm was torn, and that the entire pump had to be replaced.

 

[imported_lorin]

Re: vro pump test

Back when OMC was still OMC and not Bombardier there were 3 different vro rebuild kits available each containing a different variety of diaphragms and not very expensive (I think around $30). Rebuilding made sense. I have no idea what's available from Bombardier now.

 

[alden135]

Re: vro pump test

The parts are still available. I just bought them myself.

Also get service bulletin # 2237

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: vro pump test

There are kits available that you can buy do it yourself. Here's where:

http://www.maxrules.com/fixomcvro.html ] Click Here [/url]

 

[GlasV162]

Re: vro pump test

Thanks for your help. I wish I had discovered this site last fall. Looks like the dealer took adavantage of me and sold me a new pump when all it would've taken is a repair kit. That's if the pump was even bad to start with. I really have my doubts about it and am going to check it out. Thanks again.

 

[GlasV162]

Re: vro pump test

One more question: If in fact there was a faulty diaphragm in my vro pump, what would the symptoms be? My motor was running perfectly, except for at idle, when it would idle low and start hard after fully warmed up. The dealer told me that I was lucky the motor didn't catch on fire due to the problem with the vro pump. Does that sound right?? Thank you again,
John

 

[alden135]

Re: vro pump test

Thanks for your help. I wish I had discovered this site last fall. Looks like the dealer took adavantage of me and sold me a new pump when all it would've taken is a repair kit. That's if the pump was even bad to start with. I really have my doubts about it and am going to check it out. Thanks again.

Don't feel bad. My dealer told me the kits did not exist. I walked in with the part #'s I got here at iboats and walked out with the parts.

In defense of dealers, there are two parts that cannot be interchanged from one pump to another. The inlet housing parts and air motor poppet springs cannot be swapped from one pump to another. The "no oil" sender and oil pump are matched at the factory. This is some of the info in SB 2237.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: vro pump test

I was told by a dealer here that they never had any luck repairing the VRO's. He didn't know why, just that he never heard anyone having good luck rebuilding one.

I am rebuilding my XP150 and I decided to spend the $280 on a completely new pump. Not sure mine was bad, don't think it was, but it's an 86 and I didn't want any chances. I would be curious though if anyone has had luck repairing one. If so, maybe I'll rebuild the one I pulled off and hang onto it for a spare.

 

[ezeke]

Re: vro pump test

In April I bought the two kits at the bottom of the list that Rick cited above and put them in my VRO2. It took me about an hour including reinstalling. No problems yet.

Bill Kelly was kind enough to provide the troubleshooting chart that Alden135 mentioned and some diagrams, which helped:

"http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/VRO-1.JPG"
"http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/VRO-2.JPG"
"http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/VRO-3.JPG"
"http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/vrodrawings.gif"
"http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/VROwarning.gif"

Copy to your browser without the quotation marks,

 

[imported_lorin]

Re: vro pump test

I've rebuilt a number of vro's and all turned out fine They're really not much more difficult than a conventional fuel pump-some might say they're easier as there are no tiny parts like in some small motor fuel pumps. The problems are usually obvious-torn or worn-very-thin diaphragms. I can't think of any reason why a rebuild would not be successful-it's not like there's anything magic in there.

 

[GlasV162]

Re: vro pump test

http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/VROflowchart.JPG

This is what you want. Ezeke threw me this link.

 

[GlasV162]

Re: vro pump test

http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/vropics/VROflowchart.JPG

This is what you want. Ezeke threw me this link.

[/quote
Hi again.....can this method be used to test the vro pump while it is removed from the powerhead, or does it have to be installed on the powerhead? Thanks very much

 

[GlasV162]

Re: vro pump test

Can this method be used to test the pump off the powerhead, or does it have to be installed on the powerhead?