Identifying OMC Motors Which Have Been Modified To Remove Their VRO Feature

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Author Topic:   Identifying OMC Motors Which Have Been Modified To Remove Their VRO Feature

bassooka1 posted 06-18-2009 05:20 PM ET (US)
Where and how can tell for sure whether my VRO has been converted to a oil-fuel mix? I think it has been.
Buckda posted 06-18-2009 05:51 PM ET (US)
Dump some fuel out. If it is champagne colored or like ginger ale, it is not mixed. If it is red or blue, it is mixed fuel in the tank.
At the motor, you can look to see if there is a seperate oil delivery line leading into the rigging. The oil has to be stored somewhere - it is either in a resevoir (VRO) or it is in the fuel (pre-mix).
ukuslayer posted 06-18-2009 05:53 PM ET (US)
Bassooka--How long have you had your engine? Is it new to you and this is going to be your first fill up? If not and you have had it for a while are you adding oil direct to your gas tank at 50:1. Or do you have an external tank to add oil to. More info of your setup will be helpful. If your adding oil direct to your gas it probably has been converted.
I had a late 80's Evinrude 70 and the VRO was converted. The hoses were cut and plugged on the engine and I added oil direct to my tank with the gas as I filled up. Bought the engine this way and never worried about converting it back.
Sean
jimh posted 06-18-2009 07:50 PM ET (US)
To determine if an OMC motor has been modified to remove its original VRO feature, check for the presence of a "VRO" decal and the absence of an oil tank. If there is no oil tank, the motor cannot possibly be equipped with the VRO feature.
Chuck Tribolet posted 06-19-2009 12:17 AM ET (US)
My '97ish Evinrude 90HP is VRO (has an oil tank, pumps oil out
of the oil tank, and I've never put oil in the gas (except
once when I thought I had a VRO problem), and it's lasted 1000
hours).
It does NOT have a VRO decal.
What's the model number? IIRC, VRO is part of the model
number code.

Chuck
seahorse posted 06-19-2009 07:03 AM ET (US)

quote:
VRO is part of the model
number code

It is ?
brisboats posted 06-19-2009 08:21 AM ET (US)
Think of the VRO as an external appliance plugged into your engine. Look for the tank and the oil line leading back to your motor and connecting on the lower cowling pan in the same area as the fuel line. The oil tank will also have two wire leads that should also trace back to your motor. If the VRO has been disconnected the oil line fitting should be capped, the wire leads disconnected and the oil tank will most likely but not always have been removed from the boat. FWIW I just rigged an oil injected 2003 40hp Johnson here, no VRO decal nor is there VRO in the model code.
brian
jimh posted 06-19-2009 09:18 AM ET (US)
Presence of a VRO decal is a positive indicator that the motor once was a VRO model. Absence of a VRO decal is not an indicator of anything in particular.
Absence of an oil tank is a negative indicator that the motor is not using a VRO system. Presence of an oil tank is not an indicator of anything in particular.
The fellow asked for a way to identify OMC motors which have had their VRO feature removed. I gave two elements necessary: first you need some positive indicator the motor was a VRO model to begin with. Second, you need some negative indicator that it no longer is using VRO. I can't think of any other indicators which will provide this information.
brisboats posted 06-19-2009 10:53 AM ET (US)
The fellow would do better to look under the cowl and look at the fuel pump and airbox mounting. Probably a better indicator that absence or presence of a decal on a cowl that may have been changed.
I'm lost at the positive and negative logistical reasoning and the depths that it could be taken. For example, Presence of an oil tank indicates to me that the motor is a VRO if the tank is indeed hooked up and working. If not hooked up it it could indicate that the owner intends to complete the system at a later date or is midway in disassembly of what once was a VRO motor. He may also just have not gotten around to removing the tank or has completely forgotten that it is still there. The owner may even be a drug smuggler and wish to conceal contraband in what once was a tank full of oil but is now empty and therefore intends to leave the tank in the present location without being operational. The possibilities are endless whether they be positive, negative or nuetral. What we do know is much like a decal or emblem with the word "turbo" affixed to the stern of a Civic the presence or absence of "VRO" on an engine cowl means very little given the history of the system and that OMC later did not use the moniker on the cowls of both VRO and non VRO engines.

jimh posted 06-19-2009 11:40 AM ET (US)
My reply does not attempt to exclude other conditions which might also identify an OMC motor that once had VRO but now does not. I gave what I believe to be valid information.
If bassooka1 needs follow up or clarification, I will stand by for his reply.
pglein posted 06-19-2009 11:52 AM ET (US)
This thread is hilarious.
Ultimately, what bassooka wants to know is whether or not he needs to be adding oil to his fuel, or refilling an oil reservoir.
Truthfully, visually inspecting the engie won't answer this question. Even if the VRO system is entirely entact, that does not necessarily mean that it is properly functioning. A previous owner may have simply abandoned the VRO system and opted to pre-mix, leaving the tank, hoses, and pump entact. If he did that, he would have damaged the pump and it would not work if suddently put back into service. Of course, this is highly unlikely.
The best course of action would first to inspect the fuel/oil pump and see whether or not both hoses are connected, then trace the hoses back to the tank and observe whether or not the oil reservoir indeed has oil in it. If so, it is likely that it is still in service. Still, I would ask the previous owner if he/she was adding oil to the fuel or not. Many people do this out of an abundance of caution. Replacing the pump, and inspecting and repairing the oil plumbing would ensure proper VRO operation.
If the oil hose is disconnected, or the is no oil hose, then you have your answer.
Ed Z posted 06-19-2009 12:19 PM ET (US)

Here's a thought I had on the issue... What if the color of the fuel was identified prior to it making its way to the engine, then another sample taken from the float bowl... If there is a color change then I would be inclinded to belive it the result of the VRO adding oil to the fuel prior to the carb...
Just a thought... But, if an owner is not sure of their findings, then I would think obtaining test results from a qualified mechanic worth the time and effort (rather than destroying an engine)...
Again, just my two cents worth here... Flame suit on, OK to proceed withthe roasting...
bassooka1 posted 06-19-2009 01:50 PM ET (US)
Thanks, everybody. here's some add'l info. I just bought the boat, and there was no oil pump or a fuel tank. The oil line at the motor is missing and the nipple has been capped off. Only the fuel line is there. So from the comments, I'm going to add oil to the gas and see how she runs.
seahorse posted 06-20-2009 08:25 AM ET (US)
If you had included this last bit of information in your first question, the query would have been answered right away.
jimh posted 06-20-2009 09:23 AM ET (US)
Presence of absence of a fuel tank is not an indicator of the state of the VRO system.
A good indicator of the disabling of a VRO or VRO2 or OMS automatic fuel-oil mixing system is the presence of a VRO or VRO2 or OMS fuel-oil pump in which the oil supply hose has been removed from the oil inlet and the oil inlet has been capped off.

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Author	Topic: Identifying OMC Motors Which Have Been Modified To Remove Their VRO Feature
bassooka1	posted 06-18-2009 05:20 PM ET (US) Where and how can tell for sure whether my VRO has been converted to a oil-fuel mix? I think it has been.
Buckda	posted 06-18-2009 05:51 PM ET (US) Dump some fuel out. If it is champagne colored or like ginger ale, it is not mixed. If it is red or blue, it is mixed fuel in the tank. At the motor, you can look to see if there is a seperate oil delivery line leading into the rigging. The oil has to be stored somewhere - it is either in a resevoir (VRO) or it is in the fuel (pre-mix).
ukuslayer	posted 06-18-2009 05:53 PM ET (US) Bassooka--How long have you had your engine? Is it new to you and this is going to be your first fill up? If not and you have had it for a while are you adding oil direct to your gas tank at 50:1. Or do you have an external tank to add oil to. More info of your setup will be helpful. If your adding oil direct to your gas it probably has been converted. I had a late 80's Evinrude 70 and the VRO was converted. The hoses were cut and plugged on the engine and I added oil direct to my tank with the gas as I filled up. Bought the engine this way and never worried about converting it back. Sean
jimh	posted 06-18-2009 07:50 PM ET (US) To determine if an OMC motor has been modified to remove its original VRO feature, check for the presence of a "VRO" decal and the absence of an oil tank. If there is no oil tank, the motor cannot possibly be equipped with the VRO feature.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 06-19-2009 12:17 AM ET (US) My '97ish Evinrude 90HP is VRO (has an oil tank, pumps oil out of the oil tank, and I've never put oil in the gas (except once when I thought I had a VRO problem), and it's lasted 1000 hours). It does NOT have a VRO decal. What's the model number? IIRC, VRO is part of the model number code. Chuck
seahorse	posted 06-19-2009 07:03 AM ET (US) quote: VRO is part of the model number code It is ?
brisboats	posted 06-19-2009 08:21 AM ET (US) Think of the VRO as an external appliance plugged into your engine. Look for the tank and the oil line leading back to your motor and connecting on the lower cowling pan in the same area as the fuel line. The oil tank will also have two wire leads that should also trace back to your motor. If the VRO has been disconnected the oil line fitting should be capped, the wire leads disconnected and the oil tank will most likely but not always have been removed from the boat. FWIW I just rigged an oil injected 2003 40hp Johnson here, no VRO decal nor is there VRO in the model code. brian
jimh	posted 06-19-2009 09:18 AM ET (US) Presence of a VRO decal is a positive indicator that the motor once was a VRO model. Absence of a VRO decal is not an indicator of anything in particular. Absence of an oil tank is a negative indicator that the motor is not using a VRO system. Presence of an oil tank is not an indicator of anything in particular. The fellow asked for a way to identify OMC motors which have had their VRO feature removed. I gave two elements necessary: first you need some positive indicator the motor was a VRO model to begin with. Second, you need some negative indicator that it no longer is using VRO. I can't think of any other indicators which will provide this information.
brisboats	posted 06-19-2009 10:53 AM ET (US) The fellow would do better to look under the cowl and look at the fuel pump and airbox mounting. Probably a better indicator that absence or presence of a decal on a cowl that may have been changed. I'm lost at the positive and negative logistical reasoning and the depths that it could be taken. For example, Presence of an oil tank indicates to me that the motor is a VRO if the tank is indeed hooked up and working. If not hooked up it it could indicate that the owner intends to complete the system at a later date or is midway in disassembly of what once was a VRO motor. He may also just have not gotten around to removing the tank or has completely forgotten that it is still there. The owner may even be a drug smuggler and wish to conceal contraband in what once was a tank full of oil but is now empty and therefore intends to leave the tank in the present location without being operational. The possibilities are endless whether they be positive, negative or nuetral. What we do know is much like a decal or emblem with the word "turbo" affixed to the stern of a Civic the presence or absence of "VRO" on an engine cowl means very little given the history of the system and that OMC later did not use the moniker on the cowls of both VRO and non VRO engines.
jimh	posted 06-19-2009 11:40 AM ET (US) My reply does not attempt to exclude other conditions which might also identify an OMC motor that once had VRO but now does not. I gave what I believe to be valid information. If bassooka1 needs follow up or clarification, I will stand by for his reply.
pglein	posted 06-19-2009 11:52 AM ET (US) This thread is hilarious. Ultimately, what bassooka wants to know is whether or not he needs to be adding oil to his fuel, or refilling an oil reservoir. Truthfully, visually inspecting the engie won't answer this question. Even if the VRO system is entirely entact, that does not necessarily mean that it is properly functioning. A previous owner may have simply abandoned the VRO system and opted to pre-mix, leaving the tank, hoses, and pump entact. If he did that, he would have damaged the pump and it would not work if suddently put back into service. Of course, this is highly unlikely. The best course of action would first to inspect the fuel/oil pump and see whether or not both hoses are connected, then trace the hoses back to the tank and observe whether or not the oil reservoir indeed has oil in it. If so, it is likely that it is still in service. Still, I would ask the previous owner if he/she was adding oil to the fuel or not. Many people do this out of an abundance of caution. Replacing the pump, and inspecting and repairing the oil plumbing would ensure proper VRO operation. If the oil hose is disconnected, or the is no oil hose, then you have your answer.
Ed Z	posted 06-19-2009 12:19 PM ET (US) Here's a thought I had on the issue... What if the color of the fuel was identified prior to it making its way to the engine, then another sample taken from the float bowl... If there is a color change then I would be inclinded to belive it the result of the VRO adding oil to the fuel prior to the carb... Just a thought... But, if an owner is not sure of their findings, then I would think obtaining test results from a qualified mechanic worth the time and effort (rather than destroying an engine)... Again, just my two cents worth here... Flame suit on, OK to proceed withthe roasting...
bassooka1	posted 06-19-2009 01:50 PM ET (US) Thanks, everybody. here's some add'l info. I just bought the boat, and there was no oil pump or a fuel tank. The oil line at the motor is missing and the nipple has been capped off. Only the fuel line is there. So from the comments, I'm going to add oil to the gas and see how she runs.
seahorse	posted 06-20-2009 08:25 AM ET (US) If you had included this last bit of information in your first question, the query would have been answered right away.
jimh	posted 06-20-2009 09:23 AM ET (US) Presence of absence of a fuel tank is not an indicator of the state of the VRO system. A good indicator of the disabling of a VRO or VRO2 or OMS automatic fuel-oil mixing system is the presence of a VRO or VRO2 or OMS fuel-oil pump in which the oil supply hose has been removed from the oil inlet and the oil inlet has been capped off.