Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by AWLohnSav on 09/25/12 - 2:10 PM

I have a mid 80s (I think it is an 1986) Evinrude 90 VRO outboard. the VRO has been disconnected long ago and I have no problem mixing the gas and oil. The fuel line from the on deck tank looses pressure after about 100 yards and I had to keep pumping the ball to get back to the dock. the tank and lines are OK and I think it must be the fuel pump (compression has been tested and is good on all cylinders). I am assuming that the fuel pump is original and was for both fuel and the VRO. I want to replace it with a "fuel only" pump. I have seen several articles on other websites but wanted to get the best advice from the Whaler Central community. Any advice is welcome!

Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/25/12 - 2:14 PM

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/25/12 - 2:53 PM

You would need to contact your local Evinrude dealer or their online parts catalog.

http://epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=E&...;brands=ej

Here is a brand new VRO pump for Evinrude motors except 2 cylinder.
You can compare this to just a straight fuel pump when you find it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Johnson-Evinr...mp;vxp=mtr

DISCLAIMER:
Make sure you order the correct parts for your motor as you didn't really give the exact year.

Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/25/12 - 3:06 PM

Posted by Gamalot on 09/26/12 - 6:14 AM

I have a 1984 EV 90 VRO and I think this was the first year of VROs on this motor. In 1985 or 1986 they upgraded the VRO pumps to a better unit. It will be very important for you to know what year your Mid 80s is. I don't completely understand this so do some research, I think the newer VRO pump have electric connections while the first ones do not.

That said, a local Evinrude shop told me if I want to go to fuel pump only on my motor that I could use the pump from 1984 88 SPL engines that did not have VRO. I have not changed mine yet because I think the fuel side of my VRO pump is still good.

Posted by Gamalot on 09/26/12 - 8:13 AM

Thanks Paul. That article pretty much verifies what I was told and I do have the VRO 1 pump that has never been upgraded to the VRO 2 or newer 4 wire pumps.

Last summer i did some research and found the new VRO pump was going to coast me in the range of $400-$500 with all the alarms I also don't have. The standard fuel only pump could be found for right around $50 and I will have to mix my own oil with each tank just as I have with every other outboard I have ever owned. It was a No Brainer for me considering that the motor in full working condition is worth around $1,000 on a good day and spending $500 Vs $50 was an easy decision.
In looking through my notes I see where I was told to get the fuel only pump from a pre 1984 88 Special motor. I have a couple fuel pump numbers written down but I did not note what motors they are from or if they will bolt right up, MY BAD! 0388268 and 0398387

Edited by Gamalot on 09/26/12 - 8:27 AM

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/26/12 - 11:02 AM

It is my understanding that all new VRO pumps are the 4 wire system.

One pump comes with the 4 wire connector and another pump comes with a 3 wire connector and another separate wire. From what I understand, the reason for this as some of the older motors only have the 3 wire connector which allows you to add that separate wire without changing your harness to a 4 wire connector.

Posted by Gamalot on 09/26/12 - 11:50 AM

#10

Joe Kriz wrote:
It is my understanding that all new VRO pumps are the 4 wire system.

One pump comes with the 4 wire connector and another pump comes with a 3 wire connector and another separate wire. From what I understand, the reason for this as some of the older motors only have the 3 wire connector which allows you to add that separate wire without changing your harness to a 4 wire connector.

Thanks Joe. I would still be confused because my VRO pump has no electric wires or connectors at all. The article does say the new pumps come with the connectors and can be installed on all previous engines but this is where the expense becomes excessive, New pump, new gauges and buzzers and then getting it all installed and working as it should.

I have to consider just how much longer a 1984 engine will last and what other issues might arise rendering it useless. As I understand it, there are some lakes that my engine is already outlawed in.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/26/12 - 12:05 PM

#11

I hear you. I have a1985 Evinrude 150 and don't want to spend any money on it either.

Here is an article I wrote about wiring a new System Check Tachometer into my boat. Didn't cost me much at all and I learned a lot.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=72

Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/26/12 - 12:12 PM

Posted by Derwd24 on 09/26/12 - 12:18 PM

#12

What about calling a local Evinrude dealer to see if they have any used pumps? They take in many engines on trade and probably scrap a fair amount that have working pumps. You could run on premix too for a few tanks to make sure the VRO is working well. Could be a cheap alternative to a new pump for those who want to stick with the VRO system.

Posted by edmaude on 09/27/12 - 5:03 AM

#13

I switched my 1989 V4 to standard fuel pump a few years ago. I used the 88 SPL pump when I did the swap. It is a simple procedure that really only requires rerouting the fuel lines and then attaching the new pump to the block. Not sure on the exact part #, but the evinrude parts diagrams have it pretty clearly labeled.

Posted by Gamalot on 10/10/12 - 5:14 AM

#19

Joe Kriz wrote:
And price compared to the VRO pump?

I can't help on the VRO pump but back when I was researching the fuel only pump 0398387 I found them new for around $70 and they come up on ebay for much cheaper from time to time. These are also not hard to rebuild if you have a used one and the kit is around $16.

I don't know this to be factual but I believe if you can figure out a way to mount a fuel only pump to the motor that there are other pumps from 88 - 90 HP Johnson and Evinrude's that will work. The connections and fuel pump pressure is the determining factor as long as you can mount the pump securely.

Posted by AWLohnSav on 10/12/12 - 2:06 PM

#21

We (my mechanic friend) replced the VRO with a rebuilt fuel pump and the total was $110 (essentially $50 for the labor and $60 for the fuel pump) the VRO pumps I looked at were $400++. While researchig the issue I found a step-by-step guide for the replacement on a Continuous Wave posting.

Posted by Gamalot on 10/12/12 - 2:42 PM

#23

Joe Kriz wrote:
Apparently you didn't look at the link I gave you in post #4 for the $313 VRO pump.

Whatever. Now you have a new fuel pump without VRO.

You know Joe, and not to beat a dead horse, $313 is a great price for the VRO but if I could find a new fuel only pump for around $50-60 I am not too sure which way I would go on an almost 30 year old motor. I guess I would have to ask, how much can I get for a good lower unit off a 1984 90HP and a slightly used VRO pump if the head blows a gasket.

I am happy that the motor is up and running and just my opinion but, run it till it dies and don't spend too much more repairing the dino.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 10/12/12 - 4:15 PM

#24

6 of one 1/2 a dozen of another.

Sometimes you can save money and then the motor may last forever with just the fuel pump. However you would be mixing oil with the fuel for the rest of your life.

On the other hand, you could spend the extra money for the VRO pump and the motor might only last a few weeks.

You never know what you are going to get.
Too bad we don't have a crystal ball.

Looks like it's a couple hundred dollars more for the VRO.
Have you ever gone to Atlantic City and left some of your money there?

Good Luck with your decision.

Posted by Gamalot on 10/12/12 - 5:04 PM

#25

Joe Kriz wrote:
6 of one 1/2 a dozen of another.

Sometimes you can save money and then the motor may last forever with just the fuel pump. However you would be mixing oil with the fuel for the rest of your life.

On the other hand, you could spend the extra money for the VRO pump and the motor might only last a few weeks.

You never know what you are going to get.
Too bad we don't have a crystal ball.

Looks like it's a couple hundred dollars more for the VRO.
Have you ever gone to Atlantic City and left some of your money there?

Good Luck with your decision.

Great analogy Joe since my wife is the marketing director at a casino.
No, I am not much of a gambler but I sure have tossed good money after bad on more than a few occasions. Mixing the oil comes pretty natural and has been a life long affair so far. I do agree the VRO is a great invention that has some advantages but it also tends to dumb us down from where we came. All of my lawn and yard care machines still require a mix and separate containers. Therein lies my absolute dislike for ethanol in my fuel containers and an entirely different discussion we have had many times and is not worth the space here.

I say mix it up, shake it up and never forget the oil! Dump your stale gas and mix a new batch every few months.