Oil Pump

Nasher · 11 February 2004, 12:56

The used Ocean 6.25M I’ve recently purchased is fitted with a Johnson 150VRO V6

I’m going to use it for a while, worry about the fuel consumption later and may be change it in a couple of years. While I’m using it I plan to disconnect the VRO and run 50:1 pre-mix. I’ve heard horror stories about the reliability of the pump, however I always trusted the 2-stroke pumps on motorcycles and previous outboards I’ve run.

Does anyone know if I should do anything other than disconnect the pipes to the block, and plug the holes? I’ll decide on removing the pump completely when I’ve seen what’s behind it in regard to drive shaft seals etc.

I think I can work out what to do with the electrics to stop the low oil warning alarm, but if anyone has already done it then perhaps they could let me know.

Also, its probably just me, but I can’t find an engine number anywhere on the block, can anyone point me in the right area?

Thanks

Nasher

Headhunter · 11 February 2004, 13:30

The engine No. should be on the leg.
It is on my 90 which reads BJ90 SLEOC

Rogue Wave · 11 February 2004, 14:02

In discussion with some older members of this site ( that narrows it down to 2) he was telling me a very experienced outboard engineer recomend adding a small amount of 2 stroke to the fuel in the boat anyway. (150 to 1)

If the autolube fails then you still have some lubrication, it made some sense to me

Nasher · 11 February 2004, 17:05

Thanks guys

I'll have another look at the Leg to see if I can find the number.

Stuart - I did think of putting oil in the fuel as well, however if the pump does fail, its going to be quite a while before I realise its not working. The oil tank is very large and will only go down very slowly anyway, so it will take a keen eye to realise the level has not dropped. In the mean time I'm happily running around with a third as much oil as I should. Anyone have any thoughts?

Nasher

Suzuki416 · 11 February 2004, 18:02

a quick look on the American forums will reveal the answer to this question.

Essentially, the oil feed into the pump needs to be plugged, disconnect the sensor wire (& tape up), then run the engine on a premix of 50 > 1.
DO NOT run the engine on a premix of 150 > 1 as this is too lean.

& yes, this is what I've done on my engine.

Pete

Headhunter · 11 February 2004, 18:11

pm sent to suzi

Nasher · 11 February 2004, 21:14

Thanks for the info pete, I've managed to find a couple of the American forums as suggested, and just as you described it looks easy.

Anyone got a Workshop manual for this engine they would like to sell.

Nasher

jwalker · 11 February 2004, 21:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Nasher
The used Ocean 6.25M I’ve recently purchased is fitted with a Johnson 150VRO V6

I’m going to use it for a while, worry about the fuel consumption later and may be change it in a couple of years. While I’m using it I plan to disconnect the VRO and run 50:1 pre-mix. I’ve heard horror stories about the reliability of the pump, however I always trusted the 2-stroke pumps on motorcycles and previous outboards I’ve run.

A nice engine. Nothing like as thirsty as some would have you believe. If the pump is working, trust it to do the job. Why start bu**ering about unnecessarily? Do make sure the oil system is properly primed though. Instructions for this are in the hand book.

Nasher · 11 February 2004, 23:11

The pump really does have a bad reputation, and I'm not sure I'll know quick enough if its not working, a workshop manual or owners handbook would be very useful if I can find one so I can at least test the flow rate etc.

I suppose the big question is How do I know the pump is working as it should?

On the plus side plenty of people have said its a good engine apart from the Oil pump.

Nasher

jwalker · 11 February 2004, 23:28

The handbook method to know whether it is working is to use oiled fuel along with the pumped oil and note whether there is a drop of level in the tank, over a period of time. My one worked fine. For info. on fuel consumption, it used about 1lt/mile on a 6.5mtr rib.

Daniel · 12 February 2004, 00:03

My Yamaha v4 had the auto-lube removed. I was lead to beleive it had the jets enlarged as part of this... but i don't realy understand why, adding another 0.5% volume of liquid (50:1) would not require this. Is it because oil molocules are larger or something?

jwalker · 12 February 2004, 12:40

I can't fathom that one either, Daniel. A jet could possibly be smaller since there would be more petrol.

However, as an aside, it is not a bad idea to run a 2 stroke a little on the rich side. The extra fuel will keep the charge temperature down a bit (latent heat of evaporation), consequently, the charge into the crankcase will be more dense and, therefore, there will be more of it. Also, it gives a bit of security when running hard because high piston temperature is not a good idea.

CJL · 12 February 2004, 13:44

Johnson 150 VRO
Sell the engine --- FAST!

My 140hp Johnson was scary on the old fuel consumption.

It burned in excess of 6gals per hour on my 6.75 Delta (but did make a lovely noise!)

If your running on deck tanks make sure you swop over well before they run out of juice! I was £250 to repair the oil/fuel pump assembly.

Chris

Pete7 · 12 February 2004, 16:29

Just to add a bit of confusion to the debate I personally don't believe in over oiling a 2 stroke.

Excess oil builds up soot under the piston rings forcing them outwards against the bores causing localised hot spots, something manufacturers like quicksilver are keen to avoid by producing low ash oils.

Confused, well just a different view point.

Pete

Rogue Wave · 12 February 2004, 16:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Suzuki416

DO NOT run the engine on a premix of 150 > 1 as this is too lean.

.

I know i can be a bit of a clown, Pete but not that much. The outboard mechanic claimed that failures of Auto oiling systems accounts for a lot of damage to outboards. His recomendation was to add a bit of oil in to the fuel as a safeguard in addition to the Auto system.

Suzuki416 · 12 February 2004, 17:02

quote: His reccomendation was to add a bit of oil in to the fuel as a safeguard in addition to the Auto system

If your VRO Pump fails (this has been known to happen!) then even if you are running a premix of 150 > 1 this will still not be enough to stop your engine becoming history.

Also you will be over-oiling your engine which is not that good for it either..

The bonus of doing this is you won't need flares! You'll have a nice blue cloud behind you.

Playing safe is 'just running premix @ 50 >1'.

Your engine > Your choice.

Pete

Rogue Wave · 12 February 2004, 21:50

Ok Pete I'll take your advice on engines and his advice on IT. I think not! He claims that most auto oilers don't actually pack up but deliver insufficient oil when they get faulty, the light premix helps to compensate for this

I trust this man and his thirty years of experience so I will take his advice...the rest of you don't have to!

He would however heartily agree with you that disconnecting the auto oiler and going for full premix is the way to go

Nasher · 13 February 2004, 13:09

Thanks everyone.

Looks like I'm going to remove the pump and run pre-mix.

Nasher