Oil warning alarm stopped by compressing bulb

[carolinaboater]

I have a 1994 Evinrude 225 Ocean Pro with the VRO system still connected. Last week the alarm began sounding at around 5 second intervals while running about 1500 rpm. I squeezed the bulb on the oil tank, even though it was rock hard, and the alarm stopped. The tank was about 2/3 full. Throughout the day the alarm would go off at many different RPM levels but would go away when the bulb was squeezed. Each time I squeezed the bulb it was rock hard. Sometimes I could run for 20 minutes without it going off again, other times it would go off every 5 minutes.
Does this probably mean I need to replace the entire oil pump assembly at a cost of some $300+ or is it a tank pickup issue(which I have cleaned and inspected but that didn't fix the problem) or is it a sensor issue.
Any experience with these symptons?
Thanks.

 

[boobie]

Re: Oil warning alarm stopped by compressing bulb

Sounds like you have a vro going to hell. You may just want to disconnect the oiling system, mix your fuel 50:1 and use the vro for a fuel pump only.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Oil warning alarm stopped by compressing bulb

I'm not all that familiar with the JohnnyRudes but I do believe there's a check valve on the VRO that will cause this symptom. Someone more familiar with you motor would know for sure. Don't go ripping it out when you might find it's something really simple.

 

[jchristi]

Re: Oil warning alarm stopped by compressing bulb

I have a 98 evinrude with the VRO and had the same problem. I am assuming you mean the "No Oil" alarm was going off. It does sound like the VRO pump went out and by pumping the fuel ball with your hand you were essentially replacing the fuel pump. However, since the VRO wasnt working oil wasnt being mixed with your fuel. Since you pumped the oil ball a small amount of oil may have been mixed with your fuel but that is why the alarm would sound. Dont want to scare you but when mine went out I did the same thing so I could limp back to shore. I pulled the heads when I got home and I had a scored cylinder.

On www.maxrules.com there is a link for a page that will help you troubleshoot the pump with a fuel pump test kit and gauge. But even if you premix you will still likely have to replace or rebuild the pump. However, I would do a rebuild only if you plan on premixing. Otherwise I would replace the pump. Either one is very easy to do. In the end I replaced my whole pump and don't premix, but if it ever goes out again and I have to limp it back to shore I will put oil in my tank either from the resevoir or from my back up jug. I just didn't think of it at the time in the heat of the moment. Good Luck.