95 Jonhnson 175 VRO fuel and pulse issues

[westwater]

I recently purchased a Hydra Sports with a 1995 Johnson 175 Ocean Runner (J175GLEOM).
The setup was inexpensive and with the price I paid the motor was practically free.
Previous owner said the VRO pump was shot and had intended to replace the whole system with an electric pump.
The complete fuel/oil setup has been removed, though I still have (most?) of the parts.
The engine is in relatively good shape with 400 or so hrs on it (I think). PO said it ran with VRO assembly removed on primer bulb setup. Before I spend (waste) $ on this motor I?d like to get some ideas about its current state. The main issue to start is the VRO system. I have read everything and every post in cyberspace on VROs but still have questions.
My first task was to do a compression test, with all 6 cylinders reading about 115 psi.
However, there was no pulsation from the pulse limiter nipple (blue style). The PO may have abandoned a working VRO system unnecessarily and maybe I can reinstall it and go boating.
Upon removal I determined that the pulse limiter was clogged. I cleaned it out and air now flows both directions.
Q1. Should air flow freely in both directions or is the limiter some sort of check valve?
It?s a relatively inexpensive part so should I just buy a new one?
I do feel a pressure pulse from the crankcase but it does seem weak.
Q2. Does it make sense to put a pressure gauge on the pulse limiter and if so what would be a proper reading?
Q3. If pressure is low, but cylinder compression is good is it a reed valve issue?
Before I invest in a VRO pump replacement I would like to test the engine on an electric pump. I have read that running a V6 looper as such would not be good for the motor.
Q4. Is there any validity to that?
Q5. If there is no negative effects of the electric pump does anyone know what sort of GPH and PSI a 175 V6 would require?
Q6. With an electric pump the vapor circuit and the primer solenoid circuit would have to be eliminated. What would the consequences be of removing these systems.

Thanks in advance for any insight. If all goes well I'll likely need more help putting everything on the VRO side back together

 

[Anchor Management 1]

Re: 95 Jonhnson 175 VRO fuel and pulse issues

Q1 air should only flow in one direction I think they are about $35.00

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 95 Jonhnson 175 VRO fuel and pulse issues

Q5 answer= there is a huge negative to a electric pump, it is that if your fuel system develops a leak you risk an explosion from the gas building up under your cowl. that is why they made these fuel pumps to suck the fuel into the engine compartment not push. if your fuel Q3= if your fuel pump is still working fine then your pulse is working fine. the cost of a new pump fuel and VRO is around $400. I prefer to premix and not use VRO to mix my oil.

 

[boobie]

Re: 95 Jonhnson 175 VRO fuel and pulse issues

Q1. If you blow in either side of the pulse limiter air will flow in both directions. There is a small reed in the limiter to protect the vro if the mtr back fires to protect the vro. That is if the limiter is installed correctly. These limiters had a very low failuer rate.

 

[westwater]

Re: 95 Jonhnson 175 VRO fuel and pulse issues

Thanks all for your help and input.
Got the 175 running, but only briefly.
My guess is that PO droped what looks like a carb float retainer rod into the intake of the #6 cyl. It ended up tearing up the piston and cyl wall pretty good. Even left a couple nice, perfect imprints on the aluminum head. May be why the motor was sold, you never know but I'm not fond of people who mislead or lie to you when they sell their stuff. Then again it could be a piece out of a needle bearing. I may never know.
Powerheads are min $2k, could resleeve but all options are too expensive for a 22 year old motor that still has other issues. Open to suggestions though.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 95 Jonhnson 175 VRO fuel and pulse issues

keep that motor for parts..go get another motor..you said you got that one practically free..so you should be good to go. if the gear case is in good shape it is worth $3-400 bucks or more, i have seen some shops asking $800-1200 for them..but that is ridiculous since you can get a brand new aftermarket one for $800, with warranty. Anyway go get yourself another 175, check the compression this time. and if possible take it for a test run, do not ever buy a motor just cause the owner says it runs great. take the time to check it out.