1996 Johnson 115 60 degree lower bearing failure

havoc_squad

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 5, 2011
Messages
704
Looking at the parts diagram for a 1996 60 degree V4 115 HP model, the VRO style pump that has four, repeat four hose fittings is for the VRO pump that mixes oil and gas. (Fuel inlet, oil inlet, vacuum pulse, and outlet to vapor seperating Tank system.)

However, BRP does make a VRO style pump (almost just as expensive as the one that does the oil/gas mixing) that is pre-mix only that has only THREE hose fittings. (Inlet, Vacuum pulse, and Outlet to Vapor Seperating Tank system.

That is how you tell the difference between the VRO fuel pump that mixes the oil/gas and the VRO pump that does pre-mix only, by the number of hose inlets.

By the way, it's not very hard at all to do a fuel pump demand test on the lake. Just takes time to plumb in a T fitting between the fuel pump and the Vapor separating tank.

Extra fuel hose that is the size needed for the link between the fuel pump and VST.

Insert an appropriate T fitting of the same fuel hose diameter size.

Run a fuel line from that T fitting to the front of the outboard, then cap it off and clamp it down until you're ready to test the fuel pressure. Zip tie where appropriate to keep the hose manageable.

Buy a step down adapter that will join your T'd temporary hose at the front of the outboard to a vacuum/fuel gauge hose.

Use appropriate clamps to secure the fittings from leaks.

Now you got access to doing a fuel pressure test with the engine cowl off on the water, at load at speed. You'll just need a helper driving the boat while you monitor the fuel pressure gauge.


That may be overkill for your current circumstance if the service manual requires the following and your fuel pump/lines pass this:

1. You should have X inches Hg. of vacuum or less on the intake side of the fuel line/pump with no bubbles.
2. You have a stable X PSI at specified RPM level in gear, usually I believe that is about idle for most motors.

However, if you experience any symptoms of leaning out only when getting close to WOT RPMs, expect that a fuel pressure test on the water at speed may be the only route.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
12,961
VRO gets blamed for everything because folks do not understand them..


So true. I guess it is easier and more profitable to sell a new pump, than to learn how it works and to do proper troubleshooting to find the real fault.
 

Daveparm

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 13, 2014
Messages
122
My pump does have 3 hose fittings. It had the 4 holes where the torex screws hold on the oil pump part that has the fourth hose fitting on my other Vro. Just not that part attached ,which is what confused me. I checked eBay and saw pumps that look like mine for premix. That is what I must have.
Thanks for taking the time to write all that info. A fuel pressure gauge does sound like a good idea, and def water doable.
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The manual calls to do the vacuum test at full throttle. This is with the gauge connected to the fuel inlet. Definitely wouldn't want to do that out on the water.lol. Eventually I'll source a prop wheel as it seems like it would be handy for a lot of troubleshooting.
 
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