Disconnecting Johnson VRO

[Mattaponi]

Is there a simple way to disconnect the VRO on a 2001 Johnson 90 Ocean Pro? Do you recommend it or not?

Thanks
Matt

[2blackdogs]

I know a couple of guys who would do this with their older VRO Motors, early 80's stuff, and mostly on the larger hp models 150's and 200's, seemed to work ok, they have all traded up to newer equipment now...

2 black dogs

[cjd]

Ok My cut and paste is in full force. Below are instructions from a trusted source (DUNK)
I would say that the blown vro/whatever is close to an urban myth. They just don't go bad that often. I have an 89 evinrude that has never had an issue. I might do it only because I would probably not pay to replace the pump on such an old engine, but it hardly keeps me up at night.

I have also given you a link to an interesting article on the subject. worth a look.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html




Instructions

just disconnect the 3 wires off the top of the VRO. Follow these wires back from the VRO and you'll find plug connectors. Pull them apart and tape or tie wrap out of the way of the flywheel. The back side of the VRO is the oil side and you'll see a hose running to hose barb on the lower side of the pump. Pull it off and cap that fitting. You can get rubber caps at a auto store. Pull the oil tank and oil line out of the boat and disconnect the alarm wire from the tank. Mix 50 to 1 in the main tank. It won't hurt it(the VRO) to run it this way and if you ever sell it the next owner can just rehook everything up and use the VRO.

[cjd]

Ok My cut and paste is in full force. Below are instructions from a trusted source (DUNK)
I would say that the blown vro/whatever is close to an urban myth. They just don't go bad that often. I have an 89 evinrude that has never had an issue. I might do it only because I would probably not pay to replace the pump on such an old engine, but it hardly keeps me up at night.

I have also given you a link to an interesting article on the subject. worth a look.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html




Instructions

just disconnect the 3 wires off the top of the VRO. Follow these wires back from the VRO and you'll find plug connectors. Pull them apart and tape or tie wrap out of the way of the flywheel. The back side of the VRO is the oil side and you'll see a hose running to hose barb on the lower side of the pump. Pull it off and cap that fitting. You can get rubber caps at a auto store. Pull the oil tank and oil line out of the boat and disconnect the alarm wire from the tank. Mix 50 to 1 in the main tank. It won't hurt it(the VRO) to run it this way and if you ever sell it the next owner can just rehook everything up and use the VRO.

[Tireless]

No myth.....when the VRO in my 1989 Johnson 225 failed the engine blew up - two pistons literally exploded into fragments and melted chunks of aluminum.* Prior to that meltdown I wasn't even aware of the VRO issues.* I do not know if the 2001 models have had any problems with the VRO system.*

[Retrograde]

The VRO "Problems" were on very early units. You're more likely to kill that motor due to a clogged carb than the VRO going south. That is not to say a clogged carb is going to kill it, it probably won't, and neither will the VRO. If you plan on spending much time trolling that's just another reason to not disconnect the VRO.

[cjd]

oh, its a catastrophic failure no doubt, and that alone could be reason enough to do it, My point is that they do not fail as often as some folks would have you believe.

If you do it, I would advice removing the tank entirely, in the event someone treats you to a tank of gas someday, and does not know the score.

We have left my father a little note on the gas cap of his whaler, but I fear it is only a matter of time.

The who owned the boat before him used to premix AND fill the oil tank. real belt and suspendors kinda guy. talk about babying an engine!!!

[Megabyte]

Mattaponi asked...
Is there a simple way to disconnect the VRO on a 2001 Johnson 90 Ocean Pro? Do you recommend it or not?

First... I owned a 2000 Johnson 90 Ocean Pro, and it had oil injection, but it was not VRO. I don't remember the year that VRO was discontinued by Johnson/Evinrude, but your motor (if it is a 2001 model) doesn't have it. You have a much improved oiling system.

Second... Don't disconnect it. The newer oiling systems are bullet-proof - at least mine was. That 90 Ocean Pro is a great motor.

Your motor should look like this one:

[Mattaponi]

Thats the motor. I was thinking of a quick fix in the water if the alarm goes off and the oil sustem goes out. I always like to have a backup. Manual says you can just ingnore the alarm and mix it straight into the gas tank if it goes out on the water.

[Megabyte]

Mattaponi said...
Thats the motor. I was thinking of a quick fix in the water if the alarm goes off and the oil sustem goes out. I always like to have a backup.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. Those motors are about as reliable as any you'll find.
If you want backup and piece of mind, spend the money on tow insurance instead.

[capecodder86]

i gotta 1987 90 vro johnson

[Reel-Rascals]

Megabyte - 2/11/2005 2:30 PM
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. Those motors are about as reliable as any you'll find.

So true , plus the Oil Metering System (... not the older VRO technology) on that OB also has the reputation as being pretty much bulletproof.

[Megabyte]

Thanks RR!
I knew there was another acronym involved there for the newer oiling system. I just couldn't remember what it was!

[Brad1]

I wouldn't do it on an engine that new. The VRO's bad reputation is mostly a throw back to the first several years it was available. There were rubber pieces that did not stand up to oil. Actually, OMS is not the replacement of VRO. OMS refers to a portion of the original oiling system that is still being used. It was also used in conjunction with VRO as well.

I disconnected the VRO on my '94 60hp Evinrude at the end of last year. Now it seems to idle too fast and I think it is because it is running too lean. I should've known better. Adding more oil to pre-mix leans out the air/fuel mixture. There's only so much fuel that can pass through the carb jets. When some of that fuel is replaced with oil (as is the case in going from oil injected to pre-mix) or more oil, there is now less fuel passing throught the jets. Which means makes for a leaner air/fuel ratio.

[Mumblerone]

Mattaponi..."Manual says you can just ingnore the alarm and mix it straight into the gas tank if it goes out on the water."***What's wrong with that!*

IMO opinion you'd be going backwards disconnecting it.** I have 2 (1996), there working great so far.*

[8up]

Ive got a 85' evinrude with VRO. The fuel side of the pump craped out at the pier last winter and I was faced with the dicision whether or not to put a new VRO pump on or just a standard fuel pump and premix my gas. After several days of research and talking to people I decide to go with a new VRO unit (not cheap.....around $300). The man at the shop says the newer VRO's are very rugged and dependable, if they were to fail, it would be in an "over oil" situation. I'd stick with it and enjoy your days on the water.

[Reel-Rascals]

Brad1 - 2/11/2005 3:28 PM
Actually, OMS is not the replacement of VRO. OMS refers to a portion of the original oiling system that is still being used. It was also used in conjunction with VRO as well.

Son of a gun ... you're right, the manual simply refers to it as VRO-2. Regardless ... buttetproof, leave it alone.

[BobT]

I have a '97' 175 ocean runner and never had a problem.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Brad1]

Trailer Boats Magazine. February, 2000 issue. Article Titled "Bad Rap".... "Own an Evinrude or Johnson with variable ratio oiling (VRO)? Here is the real story and some easy fixes for this much-maligned system"

Here are some excerpts from the article:

" ... VRO introduced in 1984 ... gasoline reformulation in those early years contained alcohol and solvents that softened the internal rubber components, causing pump failure ... OMC improved the pumps considerably with the VRO2, introduced in 1986 ... But the damage was done. VRO became the scapegoat for many OMC engine malfunctions ... Actually the much-maligned pump is simple and reliable ... There is no mechanical maintenance to be performed on the pump itself, but the VRO/OMS (oil metering system) should be inspected occaisionally for cracked lines and broken clamps. One of the most common causes of engine failure is water in the remote oil tank. Condensation and spray can build up over time and like water in a fuel tank, it stays in the bottom to be sucked up at the worst possible moment. Use a turkey baster to draw some fluid from the base of the tank and squirt it into a clean jar ... If you see any signs of contamination, the tank should be flushed clean, the filter (part No. 174377 from your OMC dealer) changed, and oil line purged. Be sure to read and understand the service manual before performing any of these procedures. You should replace the clear plastic cap with the later model's solid black filler cap (part No. 176217) that provides better water intrusion resistance. The oil line should me OMC's 1/4 inch I.D. "rubber" hose (part No. 333485) without any splices. Early systems had smooth vinyl oil line that hardened after a few years and sometimes caused air leaks ... a one piece oil line eliminates air leaks , which can trigger "no oil" alarms ... Avoid plastic tie-wraps or worm-gear hose clamps on this system. OMC's rachet clamps (part No. 339277) give the best seal and full 360-degree clamping action ... Keeping everything airtight can't be stressed enough ... If your engine was built before 1993, make sure it has the blue pulse limiter to protect the air motor and check valves in the pump ... A new VRO/OMS pump can be used to upgrade all the previous years and model outboards. The new 438400 Series contains variious fittings for different outboards ... Contrary to boat ramp banter, the VRO/OMS is a simple and reliable oiling system ... Most of the misinformation about it's reliability originates form those who either do not understand how the system works, or fail to maintain it."

[sinjun]

i know alot of times when peoples motors went bad and they blamed it on the vro, it actully had nothing to do with the vro. if the carb jets get dirty and start causing a lean condition u get reduced cooling and lubrication. people blamed this on the vros.