To VRO or to Not VRO

[rdgallo]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Thanks, Mark

 

[rodbolt]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

I just added the OMS to my 98 115 spl. I prefer oil injection. its easier than trying to mix two 18 gallon built in tanks. how ever, like all mechanical vacum operated devices it breaks. breaks faster with no maint. I always reccomend every 6 or 7 years just to replace the pump unit. once per year clean the oil tank and inspect the filter. the newer 4 wire pump assy's have been very reliable. but they still break with age and neglect. its cheap insurance every 6 years. its funny but I have actually seen more failures with the pre-mix crowd than the vro crowd. maint related failures not included.

 

[BillP]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Originally posted by Mark42:<br />

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?

Pat yourself on the back! I think you deserve a gold star everytime you check the system! BUT yours is a 1993 and as Rodbolt says, throw it in the trash and replace everything before it bites you. Otherwise, I can tell you what sound to listen for when running without oil...think of sandpaper on a steel pipe. <br /><br />I'm with McGR on this one until I get an eTec.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

OMC stopped using the plastic "sight tube" on the "VRO" quite a few years ago. They recommend a continuous line from the oil primer bulb up to the "VRO" inlet fitting. On earlier 60 degree motors, the oil inlet was at the front of the engine where the fuel line connected.

 

[Mark42]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

Seahorse,<br /><br />There is a conntinuous line from the oil primer to the inlet fitting next to the fuel line connect. The oil and fuel connections are incorporated in to a single piece of black plastic. There is also a sight tube under the vro. Its only about an inch or so long and white plastic so you can see if it has dark oil in it. In 93 the twins used this design.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

yep just yesterday I got to tow another "pre-mixer". they will blow the motors soon if they made it home at all. the boat was about 26ft long with a pair of mid-late 90's jonnyrude 200's. both VRO pumps had been disabled cause the other mechanic said they caused a failure.<br /> problem was when they added about 200 gallons of fuel they had dumped 4 gallons of oil in the tank first. they made it just to the bay from the fuel docks when both engines filled the carbs with oil. I towed them out of the mudbaank and told them not to start the engines and dump the fuel as there is no way to know the mix ratio now. they kept messing and finally got one engine lit off. last I saw they were heading across kitty hawk bay with the only running engines hood of and spray flying everywhere.<br /><br /> I give the motors less than a month of living time.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: To VRO or to Not VRO

I hope this isn't considered thread highjacking.<br /><br />What would it take to convert a pre-mix engine to VRO.<br /><br />The powerhead is a '82 235 hp V6. I understand that this is the pre-VRO era, but, it was remanufactured in the mid-90s. I've been told the fuel pump, as well as some other components are not consistent with the '82 era. The current fuel pump appears to be a VRO oil pump - I have looked at photos and diagram of VRO oil pumps and it looks like one. It has an oil inlet that has been capped off (in fact, I just re-capped it this weekend because the old cap had cracked and looked bad)<br /><br />I'm just wondering what it would take, if it would be a reasonable DIY and what the parts would cost.<br /><br />I don't really mind pre-mixing, but after doing it for a few years, tend to agree with those who say that the risk of pre-mix errors is greater than the risk of VRO failure. I have two 24 gal tanks and can see the constant possibility of making mistakes or even forgetting oil.