VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

pwilson

Seaman
Joined
Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
The story begins with a 1993 Johnson 175 Fast Strike.I blew the motor 3 months ago, due to improper oil injection and a disfunctional alarm.I had the engine and VRO system rebuilt by one of my good friends, who is a Master Certified John/Rude mechanic and Shop Foreman at the largest Triton dealer in the U.S.The new engine runs better than new, but we can't get can't get the VRO system to work properly.Alright, here is the problem. The VRO alarm is going off and losing prime at the tank, I can run the boat for ten hours straight one day and it never happens. Then on the next day it could go off 10 times.Sometimes its at :confused: w.o.t., sometimes when I am idleing, sometimes at half throttle.When the alarm goes off I stop and pump the loose bulb tight and go again.I have been running this engine 50:1 for three months, because of this problem and its been back to the shop every week but we can't find the solution.Here is a list of new parts Oil Tank, Diaphram and Screen, and Oil Pump.The orignal oil line and primer bulb were not replaced but check fine.We have called Johnson asked everybody we know and can't figure this out.Someone please help.
 

Walker

Captain
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
3,085
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Have you tried a new VRO in place of the rebuilt one?? And are you using the OMC clamp on the oil line or did you replace it with another type?
 

pwilson

Seaman
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Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

We put new pumps on in the last three months.
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Are the pressure and vacuume readings within OE spec? Are you sure its the VRO alarm?
 

ob

Admiral
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Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

What alarm are you getting? Rapid short tones?One short tone every 20 seconds? Continuous tone?
 

pwilson

Seaman
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Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Positive it is the VRO alarm rapid short tones stop instantly when the loose bulb is pumped tight. I don't know about the OMC clamp. Vacume readings are to spec until it loses prime.
 

ob

Admiral
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Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Initially did someonhe remove the oil inlet hose to vro and pump the reservoir primer bulb until clear air free oil was present and then reconnect securely?If so,My recommendation without seeing it is to replace the reservoir primer bulb.Why chance it being bad after all that you've replaced?
 

Walker

Captain
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Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Also, isn't there a small inline filter in the oil line to the pump? Have you replaced it?
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
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Messages
16,978
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Correct vacuume readings would indicate the pump is working. So it seems the problem would be somewhere from the pump forward to the tank. It just might be sucking air somewhere. Clamps - as mentioned - bad check valves in bulb, etc.<br /><br />Was it purged completely?
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Didnt the new tank come with a hose and bulb? If so, why did you not use it?
 

pwilson

Seaman
Joined
Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Yes the lines have been bled, you are right about the primer bulb. I really didn't think about it being the problem until I typed the post. Could it cause all this.
 

ob

Admiral
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Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Walker,That inline plastic part before the pump is just a sight tube.
 

ob

Admiral
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Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

pwilson ,My answer is yes.
 

pwilson

Seaman
Joined
Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

I'm thinking what ever is causing this problem, is what caused the engine to blow the first time.
 

ob

Admiral
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

Unless all cylinders were affected ,it wasn't likely the vro that failed.Were They?
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

What spark plugs are you using?
 

pwilson

Seaman
Joined
Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

My alarm wasn't working when the engine blew, but it could be something else.I'm going to have a hard time trusting the VRO from now on.I would just remove it but it has new pump and I was told it actually mixes 150:1 at w.o.t. with the V.R.O. and if thats true thats an advantage over premix.
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: VRO Unsolved Mystery Need Expert Adivce

The old pumps were actually VRO (variable ratio oiling). The new pumps are a constant ratio pump. Even the old ones pumped 50:1 at WOT. They were about 150:1 at idle.
 
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