VRO 150 Ocean Pro
 

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

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

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 ?

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

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.