VRO or not to VRO

[blast and cast]

I recently purchased a boat with a 1992 90 HP with the VRO injection on it. It works well at this point. My question is: should I remove it and just mix my oil 50:1 in the tank just to be safe? I have heard some bad stories about the VRO units. Thanks in advance for your input.

[boater]

[ 05-29-2001: Message edited by: boater ]

[RIPPLE]

I have been reluctant to post again on this topic as it is just too painful for me. Several weeks back I initiated a post with a similar inquiry about the VRO pump and the warning horn. My motor had died on me after bringing me back from the ocean into Nehelem Bay. After a quick diagnosis by Brown's landing my powerhead is toast, complete rebuild starting at $2000.00. This is a truly a beautiful 60 h.p. Johnson with 136 hours and not one scratch. Waxed, religiously flushed of salt water and loved all of it's short life. It is now a shiny 250 lb. anchor. As with some of you, fishing and my precious boat are my one hobby, the vehicle that takes me out to "church" and brings me back on the weekends. The three little letters "VRO" are enough to make me cry. Enough of my sad tale. In hindsight, pre-mixing really does'nt seem like that big of hassle. I am sure many others have had no problems at all with their VRO pumps, but consider what sportcraft told me as I somberly looked at $6000.00 Hondas. The salesman told me that they often get OMC engines with the VRO pump in trade for re-sale. When they sell a used motor, they go through it and then offer a 30 day warranty. they will only offer this on VRO models if the buyer agrees to have it disconnected and pre-mix their oil. If someone insists on keeping the injection system, then there is no warranty and the customer takes his chances. I just wish I had known sooner.............

[TW]

Blast and Cast,
I vote for disconnecting the VRO. I worked up in Alaska for an outfit that ran Johnsons, and the owner (Also the outboard mechanic) had disconnected every single one of them. His argument was simple: If the unit starts messing up, you are unlikely to immediately notice it in the oil tank. By the time you do, you may have ruined the kicker. From everything I have seen and heard it is just a poor design. Hope this helps and good luck.
Tom

[blast and cast]

Based on the information I have gathered from here and from the mechanics I have talked to I will disconnect the VRO. Sportscraft Marina and Oregon City Marina service VRO's. They both said it will cost less than an hour of shop time to do the work. Mine is going in tomorrow morning.

[mudsucker]

you guys are making me wonder about my oil injection on my 1985 70hp evenrude??? i have had it for 10+ years and no problem but i can't aford a melt down.. does anyone know how to disconect the vro and what has to be done?


Mudsucker