1989 Johnson 150 VRO???????

[PULLNIT]

I am about to purchase a boat with a 1989 Johnson 150.The owner has had motor since new and claims that it has performed flawless to date.I have heard about the VRO systems failing and killing motor.Should I leave VRO in place or should I disconnect and mix oil and fuel?Any other comments about this motor good or bad ? <br /> Thanks John

 

[DJ]

Re: 1989 Johnson 150 VRO???????

I had a 1989 Johnson 90 with VRO that I ran for eight years with zero problems. Just make sure your warning horn is working.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: 1989 Johnson 150 VRO???????

I would recommend that you disconnect the VRO pump and pre-mix the gas for sure. Even if the warning horn is working there is a common problem with the WRO pumps where the engine will be starved for oil and the warning horn will not sound. What happens is there is an internal crack in the pump that allows gas to dilute the oil before it is metered by the pump. The pump thinks it is pumping 100% oil into the gas when really it is pumping some diluted mixture of gas and oil. The horn doesn't sound and eventually the motor blows up. A 1989 would be a PRIME candidate for this problem so be sure you verify the internal workings of the motor before you buy.<br /><br />If you are really against mixing gas and oil you can check the VRO pump for the problem I mentioned but it involves disassembling the pump so you probably won't do it as often as you should.<br /><br />At our shop probably 90% of the old VRO pumps that come in have this problem.

 

[PULLNIT]

Re: 1989 Johnson 150 VRO???????

MRMERC How would I verify the internal works of the motor? Thanks John