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Purchased this Motor with a 1995 17" Montauk a few months ago and I am just wondering what the difference is between the regular 90hp Evinrude and the Oceanpro model? I am now running this exclusively in Fresh Water and would like to know if I need to perform any extra maintenance or changes to the motor. It starts easy, runs great but does smoke a little bit. I know it is a two stroke but what is the normal amount of smoke I shoudl expect?
Thank you!

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Same motor that I have. The only difference between it and the non saltwater series motors is the addition of some extra stainless steel components. Should not require any different maintenance. They do smoke a bit although mine has had the VRO disconnected and runs 50/1 premix. I've been told that its a good idea to remove the VRO on these motors, but I have no real experience with VRO to know for sure. My motor had a power head base gasket go bad which in turn scored the lower port cylinder and scuffed the piston. While trouble shooting my motor I contacted Evinrude customer support and they stated that power head base gasket failure and exhaust housing corrosion are common on this vintage V-4/6 60 degree looper. Might be a good idea to have it (base gasket) changed before it leaks and does severe damage. I wish I had as its not that big of a job if you have a hoist.

Good luck.
Bob.

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The Ocean Pro models are usually 25" shaft length engines for off-shore boats and painted white.

They have coatings inside the exhaust areas, stainless steel steering arms and "split-line" midsections (where there is a gap). They were first introduced in 1993 along with a with a newly designed 90° V-6 block. They were the first motors to come with a stainless steel tilt tube and a cast stainless steel steering shaft and arm for corrosion resistance.

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Seahorse, the shaft length is still 20" and the motor really runs flawlessly with the Oil injection system functioning with no problem. My motto is "if it aint broke don't fix it" so I ask... Do you think there is any creedance in replacing the Block gasket as suggested above or disconnecting the Oil injection system? Winterization remains the same it would seem.
Thanks,

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I have noticed with my two stroke that the two stroke oil can make a difference in how much smoke you get. I like to run a synthetic blend and it seems to not smoke so much.

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Those motors do not have a reputation for base gasket problems, that is first I ever heard of one needed a gasket that was not due to hitting something and loosening the powerhead bolts.

Have an experienced technician check over the motor carefully and give you a report on the conditon. "VRO" systems work very well contrary to what you read on the internet from untrained mechanics and do-it-yourselfers. The tech can perform several "VRO" tests such as the NO OIL alarm, fuel restriction and bubble test, "VRO" prime test, and the most important, the "VRO" oil flow test.

for "VRO" inside info:

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refe...e/VRO.html

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As a point of fact,

I was put on hold so the Evinrude service tech in question could check service bulletins from that era 60 degree loop charged motor. The response I got from him was to "check the powerhead base gasket and exhaust housing for corrosion, its a common problem". If this is not a known issue I guess he just made it up? It was my issue so I guess he knew something............

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Yeah, whoever told you that gave you poor and incorrect information.

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When I started looking at motors for my 16'7" , I was mainly looking at Johnsons and Evinrudes and I started hearing things about the VRO's. I contacted a friend that does small engine repair and asked him about it. If I remember correctly he said OMC had some problems with the VRO's '85-88 motors, they redid the VRO system and haven't had issues with them since. He also told me that a local county Sheriff's Dept had a small fleet of Whalers with '87 VRO's and they never have had any problems.

I'm premixing my gas right now, mainly because I pieced my boat together over the last few months and was working out some bugs with the build and it was just one less thing to worry about. But I got everything worked out now and am going to be hooking my VRO up soon, it's becoming a pain to mix gas. If you are worried about your VRO not functioning properly, premix your gas and run the VRO till you know it is functioning properly.

EDIT:My motor is a '96 E90ELED I've been told and read that it is a salt-water motor also. It had the spot to hook up a hose and the owners manual talks about flushing the motor after being in salt or muddy water. The motor looks the same aside from having a blue mettalic paint job. So also wondering if my motor is considered a salt water motor.

Don

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I have had several 1985, 1986 OMC motors with VRO.

1985 Evinrude 70 (15 years without any problems)
Two 1986 Evinrude 70
1985 Evinrude 150 (10 years and no problems)

I have never had any problems.
My 150 has had VRO updates in the past but that is it.
The new VRO pump has been updated for Ethanol.

As the article above mentions, everyone seems to blame it on the VRO because they don't know what else caused the problem.
IF there was a problem with the VRO, then all cylinders would be affected, Not just one cylinder.

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I appreciate everyones input and especailly the link to the great article posted on VRO Systems. It was very infomative and I feel alot better about my purchase. The Motor has run flawlessly and the only problem is I am running out of Summer. The Oceanpro options are more of a luxury as I will not be running the outboard anywhere near saltwater again but at least I know it was protected from the Salt when it was exposed. The Winter maintenance list will now include the Fuel System and VRO Checks which don't seem that hard to perform. Thanks for all the great information. Happy Whaling!