1985 Evenrude 50 HP VRO Fuel Mix

Byrdman · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:39 am Post subject: 1985 Evenrude 50 HP VRO Fuel Mix

Need help with the fuel mix ratio of an old 1985 Evenrude 50hp VRO motor. Clues anyone?
Byrdman

rogerbum

gljjr · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:43 am Post subject:

"Former mechanic" is more correct and that on cars! But 50:1 is what we used to run on my old Crestliner with the 115 Merc growing up. And is what I run on my '74 Johnson 25hp.

Norm S · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:55 am Post subject:

Patrick, From what I've read on other sites It's not uncommon for the early VRO pumps to fail. A Lot of guys just bypass / disconnect them and go with a straight 50:1 premix. My 84 Evinrude is pre VRO and uses a 50:1 mix.
Norm

Byrdman · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:55 pm Post subject:

sounds like a 50:1 ratio going into the tank to me. Thanks guys.
Byrdman

Larry H · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:26 pm Post subject:

Patrick,

I was an Evinrude mechanic during the VRO years. If you are going to put 50-1 mix in the tank, be sure to cap off the oil inlet fitting. It is located near the fuel inlet on the motor pan.

After the oil inlet is capped off, you can use mixed fuel in the tank just like a non-VRO motor.

Hope this helps.

Rabidfish · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 7:45 pm Post subject:

While it's true, most of the early VRO's have failed by now, most did not fail "to the bad". The later/current pumps do not vary the oil ratio, but are very reliable. You may want to consider replacement.(if it hasn't been done already)

A two stroke in good condition will really run quite a while, even at idle, without fouling plugs. Most fouling problems are actually misdiagnosed as oil fouling when in fact it's usually caused by poor engine condition(read: poor piston to cylinder wall tolerance)

I have reluctantly replaced many 50hp Johnsons,(dozens) because the owners believed it was a "2 stroke" problem... Only to overhaul these engines to be sold for use by the "Dock installers" and they would idle(dead idle, in gear) for hours on end with no ill effects.

Adeline · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

You may find this illuminating. http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html

C-Otter · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:10 pm Post subject:

My 1987 90hp VFO Johnson has 400 hours and has never missed a beat. The only thing that has been done is change the plugs every two or three years, and lower unit oil every year. I do not troll with it .

I would like to get a new Johnson 2 stroke or 4 stroke of some kind but its hard to give up a very good engine and convince the keeper of the checkbook that I need $8,000 buck's.

C-Otter

Adeline · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:24 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 1:18 am Post subject:

I got 600 hours out of an '87 Evinrude 90 before trading it in on a 2005 Yamaha 90 EFI. Somebody's still running it. No oil pump problems. But the difference in engines is more like 35 years of technical progress instead of 18! Light years of difference! Joe.

Byrdman · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject:

Larry H: Thanks... That could be what some of the "gagetry" is up around the face of the motor with what simply looked to me as a new uninformed owner of some type of double fuel line set up... Kinda did a big ol hummmm, but was loosing day light hours, it started, it ran... so I took her drove out. Should get some time on the water with her on Friday and will take a couple of pics of what is there. I really appreciate all the feedback.