oil primer bulb?

[invaded86]

let the boat sit for the last 3 weeks as life has been busy, had an issue when trying to take it out last week with oil leaking from the lower unit. took the advice of another member and had it serviced. No big deal, resealed it and installed a new water impeller.

went to fire it up today primed the FUEL bulb and it fired right up. Had and alarm at the OMC controls that was a short buzz every 2 ish seconds. from what I have read that was no oil at the vro chamber. I immediately shut it down and opened the oil tank door. had just under half a tank and without thinking primed the OIL bulb like I would my fuel. fired it back up and had no alarm.
​
My question is, is it standard practice to prime the OIL bulb when starting or is it an indication of a possible leak that it did not hold oil in the line all the way to the pump?. I'm not overly worried but would like to known if this is standard practice or did I just let it sit to long. Keep in mind I have had a good deal of trouble with phantom alarms in another thread I had started.

​Thanks for the input!

 

[flyingscott]

No you should not have to prime the bulb everytime. I would check all the clamps on the hoses make sure no leaks. I would also bleed the system to make sure there is no air.

 

[invaded86]

will do. thank you!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Check all oil connections... loose clamp, etc. Air is somehow getting into the system.
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Here are the factory recommendations.

(Priming The VRO Pump)
(J. Reeves)

When hooking up or installing a VRO whether it is a new or original VRO pump, it must be primed in order to dispel any air that might be in the oil line.

Have the Oil line attached to the engine fitting BUT detached from the VRO. Add a piece of fuel hose if necessary to the oil line so that it can be aimed into some sort of container.

Pump the oil primer bulb, catching the oil flowing out of the line into the container until you are absolutely sure that you have rid the oil line of every bit of air that might have been trapped there.

Now, connect the oil line to the VRO and secure it. When the oil line is secured, apply pressure to the oil primer bulb ONE TIME only. That's it.

 

[flyingscott]

I am going to disagree with Joe here about one thing. Make sure you are running a 50-1 pre-mix when you disconnect the oil line from the VRO and bleed it. After you bleed it and start the motor you wait for the alarm to go off. You then put the oil line back on and and wait for the alarm to stop sounding. I just replaced my VRO and it specifically said do not pump the ball when you put the line back on the pump the pump has to do the work. I also replace the factory plastic clamps with all oetiker clamps.

 

[Joe Reeves]

I am going to disagree with Joe here about one thing. Make sure you are running a 50-1 pre-mix when you disconnect the oil line from the VRO and bleed it. After you bleed it and start the motor you wait for the alarm to go off. You then put the oil line back on and and wait for the alarm to stop sounding. I just replaced my VRO and it specifically said do not pump the ball when you put the line back on the pump the pump has to do the work. I also replace the factory plastic clamps with all oetiker clamps.

Scott... What I had to say came directly from OMC, not an opinion of my doing. I'd like to see those specific instructions you mention wherever they came from as it seems to me that would leave a air pocket in the line.

 

[flyingscott]

Scott... What I had to say came directly from OMC, not an opinion of my doing. I'd like to see those specific instructions you mention wherever they came from as it seems to me that would leave a air pocket in the line.

Joe I was respectfully disagreeing with you no offense meant. I know you have probably forgotten more than I will ever know. This page is straight from BRP installation instructions for my new OMS pump and they put those instructions in bold print. This the only way I can get it here it may have to be downloaded.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Joe I was respectfully disagreeing with you no offense meant. I know you have probably forgotten more than I will ever know. This page is straight from BRP installation instructions for my new OMS pump and they put those instructions in bold print. This the only way I can get it here it may have to be downloaded.

Understood..... I read that PDF file through carefully. They're insinuating, without actually stating so, that the earlier VRO pumps were not self priming whereas now they are. Myself retiring in 1991 (a 26 year period), there are bound to be changes made that I'm not aware of... this being one of them. No offense taken, however I'd prefer to get rid of that possible air pocket ahead of time rather than to wait for that horn to stop beeping.

 

[flyingscott]

I followed those instructions when I installed my pump and have not had any kind of issues. Maybe the OP will tell us if he has a 3 wire or 4 wire pump.

 

[Joe Reeves]

I followed those instructions when I installed my pump and have not had any kind of issues. Maybe the OP will tell us if he has a 3 wire or 4 wire pump.

I surely hope not a 3 wire as they went out in the 1980's.