VRO 150 Ocean Pro

[Joker2]

I was wondering any opinions on two things. How does this gas consumption sound -- 20 minutes (no wake) each way in and out of channel, 3 hrs nonstop tubing with 5 kids 2 adults, food, drinks, ( got 5400 RPM's ) gear put in 11 gallons before trip 89 octane. Fuel gauges were right back where I started when I was done. Now my other question, I have been hearing a chattering at 3000 RPM and above, had engine cover off and I put my head right next to block and i didn't hear it, sounds like it is coming from the lower unit. It is driving me nuts. I have VRO, lines are only two seasons old. I topped off my oil tank at the beginning of the season, it has hardly moved, I have put approx. 8-10 hrs. on engine. Can the noise be that the engine isn't getting enough oil at higher RPM's. I would think if wired up right there would be an alarm or it would'nt allow higher rpm's? I am afraid I might be further damaging something. Any thoughts

[tartuffe]

Should be going through roughly 1 gallon of oil for every 50 gallons of fuel. Does that match with what you have going on?

[Joker2]

that's pretty close, my two gallon reservoir is a little more than half full, I used about 40 gallons so far this year, I started with a full reservoir. Thx Any thoughts on getting rid of the VRO ?

[tartuffe]

I no longer have mine. When my fuel pump went out a few years back, my mechanic thought it was a good time to get rid of the VRO. I've heard a few stories of them putting the breaks/brakes on good times.

Do you run high test? I only run the good stuff otherwise I get a lot of predetonation.

[reelapeelin]

Joker...I just commented on your post in Performance Section about your Michigan Wheel prop...take a look there for a link you might want...and one opinion about when it's time to disconnect a VRO...

[Joker2]

Yes Normally I do, at the end of last year I filled both tanks with hight test, and startron addative. Have only added 89 octane so far this year, my regular fill station has been closed every time I went. It will be high test for the rest of the season.

[Joker2]

Spoke to my mechanic, told him I have a rattling noise only between 3,000 - 4,000 RPM's he told me to add oil to my gas 50:1 just to see if the rattling noise goes away ( in case VRO isn't working ), then check to see if there is water in the lower unit oil. If not then he will look at it. ( I have to borrow a trailer just to bring it in. It is on a mooring at a remote location -- Pain in the but ) Motor ran fine (up to 5,500 RPM )with extra oil, noise still there, have to pull it to check lower unit oil. Oil was changed last fall for winter, as I do every season, old oil was fine when I changed it. I also found a missing cowling bolt, I installed a new one after this extra oil trial run. Trying to do one thing at a time. I might run it one more time with the new bolt just to see, but I don't think that is the problem. Any thoughts

[Joker2]

Disconnected the VRO today, found the white wire of the two wires coming from the top of the tank not connected inside the engine compartment, wondering if VRO was even working, could it be that the oil was just getting to the engine by syphon? maybe that is why my tank was emptying so slow. Found plastic baffle piece on the inside of the engine cover seperated from inside of cover, rattled when I tapped on it, 5200'd it in took it for a ride only heard the noise faintly and very intermitant. Making progress, I think I might have the noise licked once the 5200 sets.

[bgreene]

Disconnected the VRO today, found the white wire of the two wires coming from the top of the tank not connected inside the engine compartment, wondering if VRO was even working, could it be that the oil was just getting to the engine by syphon? maybe that is why my tank was emptying so slow. Found plastic baffle piece on the inside of the engine cover seperated from inside of cover, rattled when I tapped on it, 5200'd it in took it for a ride only heard the noise faintly and very intermitant. Making progress, I think I might have the noise licked once the 5200 sets.

That's some good work on your part.
I have a 96' Rude 150 and for what it's worth or not - Evinrude master tech at J&B Marine told me to keep the oil pump as is - no issues. I had another 150 years back and it worked fine with the separate oil tank set up too. I believe the " no VRO " thing was specific to a special situation - will find out.

[Joker2]

Took it for a ride today, noise sill there only between 3,00 - 4,000, could it be a knock in the engine due to lack of proper oil ( I hope not ) what confuses me is that I only hear it in this RPM range, if it was a knock wouldn't I hear it all the time? I still haven't checked my lower unit oil like my mechanic told me to. It's still running great. 1-1/2 hours tubing with kids burned 10 Gallons, is that OK gas consumption ? I am very concerned.

[bgreene]

Took it for a ride today, noise sill there only between 3,00 - 4,000, could it be a knock in the engine due to lack of proper oil ( I hope not ) what confuses me is that I only hear it in this RPM range, if it was a knock wouldn't I hear it all the time? I still haven't checked my lower unit oil like my mechanic told me to. It's still running great. 1-1/2 hours tubing with kids burned 10 Gallons, is that OK gas consumption ? I am very concerned.

Call J&B Boat Westville, NJ - far from Long Island but Ed's great and a long time Evinrude master tech - will likely steer you in the right direction.

[Joker2]

Thanks, a little too far for me seeing as I don't have a trailer. I usually have to borrow one to bring it to a mechanic, ( only once so far ), I know, I know I really need a trailer, I'm working on it.

[reelapeelin]

Thanks, a little too far for me seeing as I don't have a trailer. I usually have to borrow one to bring it to a mechanic, ( only once so far ), I know, I know I really need a trailer, I'm working on it.


I had an '86 Evinrude 150 on my first V20...that thing ran GREAT!!...USED A LOTTA GAS, but good performer...under the flywheel lives stator the acts as generator to make electrical power...my stator worked loose once and sounded like the engine was knocking internally...didn't hear it at idle...only when up on plane...I was sure it was coming from inside crankcase...you might wanna check on your stator and make sure it's staying put...

[jasoncooperpcola]

Joker2 have you done a compression test on the engine?

[Joker2]

Yeah reel I will check that thanks, It sounds like it is lower, even without the cover on I put my head right next to the motor and I only hear it down low, not by the engine, seems like it is coming from the lower it is hard to tell. Remember from past posts this lower unit (96') was put together with this engine (94') when it was rebuilt. Jason the numbers were good, all between 100-110

[RidgeRunner]

Could it be something as simple as the exhaust adapter at the lower didn't get the rubber rings? Or a loose torque tab? If the noise is in the lower you definitely need to drain the oil to see what you have. Does your motor have the trim rod that goes from side to side through the holes on the clamp? Could be a rattler. But that would go away when you tucked the motor all the way down. Could be the lever that holds the motor in the full up position. Throwing stuff out willy nilly..
Anyone with a travel lift or a forklift in your area? Maybe they can pluck it and you can have a look see on the cheap?

[Joker2]

Those are some good things to check, I already took out the trim rod last year as it was rattling all around. I would not be surprised if things like rubber gaskets or rings were missing, the guy who put it together was less than stellar. Is the torque tab the little rutter like dial on the underside with little markings to adjust so the steering wheel does not pull to the right? I checked it, it's tight. Should I be able to see the rubber rings on the exhaust adapter whithout taking anything apart? Thanks for your help, the noise is making me nuts.

[Joker2]

I think I have determined my noisy rattle, I finally got up the nerve to rev the engine up to 3500 in nuetral to see if I heard the noise, and yes I did, I am really afraid now that it is internal and not something loose while underway. I think it may always be making the noise I just can't hear it at lower than 3000 or higher than 4000. What would I be looking at price wise to have a mechanic open up the block and check it out? I hope this is not a complete nightmare. Thanks

[bgreene]

I think I have determined my noisy rattle, I finally got up the nerve to rev the engine up to 3500 in nuetral to see if I heard the noise, and yes I did, I am really afraid now that it is internal and not something loose while underway. I think it may always be making the noise I just can't hear it at lower than 3000 or higher than 4000. What would I be looking at price wise to have a mechanic open up the block and check it out? I hope this is not a complete nightmare. Thanks

How bout just take it to an Evinrude master mechanic ( I believe that's what they're called with X amount of instruction classes ) and just tell em' what it's doing ?
If they advise you it's serious, then you have the option to go.......or no go and find another motor.