To VRO or to Not VRO

[rdgallo]

I have a 1994 Johnson 150 FastStike with VRO. I have never had any problems with the oiling system and never even gave it a second thought until I found several Outboard Motor Forums. Now I wonder if I should disable it and mix my oil. I am curious what all the experts out there think.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

I have the same motor except a year older on one of my boats. Theres no way I'd unhook the oil injection.<br /><br />If it makes you feel better you dont have the VRO.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Dhadley, thanks for the response. If I don't have VRO, what do I have?<br />Thanks!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Thats a straight ratio pump. About 50:1 all the time.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Ron,<br /><br />Read the following link for the true story about the "VRO". Ot may change your opinion of some of the so-called "experts" out there.<br /><br /> http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html

 

[rdgallo]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Seahorse, thanks very much for the info. That is some pretty good reading. I sent a copy to a buddy of mine who has a 100 hp Evinrude with the oil pump. He has never had any problems with his either. I like mine, but was getting a little goosy with all the negative stuff you see on the forum Again thanks for making me feel more comfortable with the oiling system. My motor will remain as it is.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Seahorse, thanks very much for the info. That is some pretty good reading. I sent a copy to a buddy of mine who has a 100 hp Evinrude with the oil pump. He has never had any problems with his either. I like mine, but was getting a little goosy with all the negative stuff you see on the forum Again thanks for making me feel more comfortable with the oiling system. My motor will remain as it is.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Sorry for the double post. Don't know what happened.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Ron, dont worry about it. Your comments were worth repeating.

 

[Mark42]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

I like the VRO2 system on my 93 40hp. I don't have to worry about forgetting to add oil, or how much oil to add when I fill the tank. I don't have to keep track of anything other than the level of oil in the oil tank, and even that has a low level alarm.

 

[OBJ]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Thanks for posting the article SeaHorse....good interesting reading.

 

[BillP]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

I wonder how many vro users actually check their hoses, connections, oil container for water or electricals to make sure the system is in good condition?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

About 1 out of 10 if you pick the right 10.

 

[ob15]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

I have a brand new pump for my 89 Johnson 50hp & can't wait to hook it up and then forget about premixing. As soon as I'm done with my roof (still fixin hurricane damage) on the pump goes.

 

[OBJ]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

The VRO system is good...all it need is a little care just like everything else on the engine. Even testing the alarms once or twice a year is good. Too much bad rap about it.

 

[McGR]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

I realize the VRO has received more than its fair share of unwarranted criticism. Nonetheless, I still prefer premix. Sometimes less is more. This is how I feel about VRO systems - it's just more stuff added to the motor that it didn't necessarily need. Premix is fail safe, unless I screw up the mix, of course. I don't claim to be an expert and this is just my opinion. However, if you like convenience of VRO that's fine too.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

OBJ, I know how to test my overheat alarm, but how do you test the oil alarms?

 

[Mark42]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> I wonder how many vro users actually check their hoses, connections, oil container for water or electricals to make sure the system is in good condition?

OH! Oh! Oh! I do! I do! (Can you see me? I'm raising my hand!) Oh! oh! Oh!<br /><br />And I actually checked the sight tube under the VRO to be sure there was oil in it before I started it this spring after winter storage. Do I get a gold star?

 

[rdgallo]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Obj, or anyone. Is there an easy way to test the oil system alarms short of running it out of oil in the oil tank or stopping the flow of oil?

 

[Mark42]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

OMC manual tests oil alarm by pre-mixing the gas then removing the oil line. As oil is pumped out of the pump, the alarm should sound. You can test the low oil alarm by pressing the float down in the oil tank until it hits bottom. The alarm should go off.