survey says......
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1,057 Posts
Both?
Dude, if you throw a little in your tank and your VRO craps out, you're probably not going to save your engine. I'm not sure what you mean by a little, but with the minimum oil to gas ratio of 50:1, you'd have to add close to 16oz. of oil to every 6 gallons in your tank to save you if your VRO craps out. If you just throw a little in the gas to run a little richer, I think that's fine, but 2 stroke oil isn't exactly cheap. To each his own I guess, but in my mind it's a no brainer. If you have external tanks, don't bother with the VRO. If you have an internal tank and want to be extra safe, bypass it. But then you need to have a good idea about how much fuel you've burned before you get back to the gas dock. I think it's a better method to add the 2 stroke oil to the tank before filling it up. Makes for better mixing of the fuel and oil.
Dude, if you throw a little in your tank and your VRO craps out, you're probably not going to save your engine. I'm not sure what you mean by a little, but with the minimum oil to gas ratio of 50:1, you'd have to add close to 16oz. of oil to every 6 gallons in your tank to save you if your VRO craps out. If you just throw a little in the gas to run a little richer, I think that's fine, but 2 stroke oil isn't exactly cheap. To each his own I guess, but in my mind it's a no brainer. If you have external tanks, don't bother with the VRO. If you have an internal tank and want to be extra safe, bypass it. But then you need to have a good idea about how much fuel you've burned before you get back to the gas dock. I think it's a better method to add the 2 stroke oil to the tank before filling it up. Makes for better mixing of the fuel and oil.
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4,148 Posts
Whether or not to switch over is your call. If I had an early model VRO (they came out in the mid-80's), I'd probably do it. Late models are going to be bullet proof - there are safety systems that work & most likely will save the engine.
It's pretty easy to switch over; I'm not going to get into that because I'm not confident enough to advise someone else on it. Try: www.marineengine.com/discus
Post a question on the outboard forum - I've seen it come up a zillion times, you could probably even find specific instructions by looking at the old posts in "tree view"..
As far as adding oil to the gas; I've gotta disagree with quiknet. 50:1 is what is required for very minimal wear under all conditions. Some engines actually run at 100:1, the VRO's change ratio's depending on specific conditions.. My guess is they don't go any richer than 50:1 and probably go much leaner. So, in theory, if the VRO did crap out and you had 100:1, or even less, in the tank, it would minimize the damage. Also, unless you pay top $$ for manufacturers brands, oil really isn't expensive. I pay $10 a gallon for penzoil synthetic mix.
The downside is you will be building more carbon than neccesary & will change the way the engine runs somewhat.. How much depends on how much oil you add.. Just about any 2-stroke outboard will run fine at 25:1, probably even 16:1, but most aren't designed to run for hundreds of hours, with that much oil. It may actually do more harm than good.
So, my recomendation is to either just trust what you've got, or change over to mix.
Jon
It's pretty easy to switch over; I'm not going to get into that because I'm not confident enough to advise someone else on it. Try: www.marineengine.com/discus
Post a question on the outboard forum - I've seen it come up a zillion times, you could probably even find specific instructions by looking at the old posts in "tree view"..
As far as adding oil to the gas; I've gotta disagree with quiknet. 50:1 is what is required for very minimal wear under all conditions. Some engines actually run at 100:1, the VRO's change ratio's depending on specific conditions.. My guess is they don't go any richer than 50:1 and probably go much leaner. So, in theory, if the VRO did crap out and you had 100:1, or even less, in the tank, it would minimize the damage. Also, unless you pay top $$ for manufacturers brands, oil really isn't expensive. I pay $10 a gallon for penzoil synthetic mix.
The downside is you will be building more carbon than neccesary & will change the way the engine runs somewhat.. How much depends on how much oil you add.. Just about any 2-stroke outboard will run fine at 25:1, probably even 16:1, but most aren't designed to run for hundreds of hours, with that much oil. It may actually do more harm than good.
So, my recomendation is to either just trust what you've got, or change over to mix.
Jon
to continue
ive had the rig since new (99)
question... all the anti vro statements,could these
be atributed to older systems,second owners
and improper or lack of profesional mait etc....
i had a couple of worry free seasons and then all the horor stories.i am somewhat reluctant to trash a working system.
exactly what should be done yearly to ensure system
trouble free
ive had the rig since new (99)
question... all the anti vro statements,could these
be atributed to older systems,second owners
and improper or lack of profesional mait etc....
i had a couple of worry free seasons and then all the horor stories.i am somewhat reluctant to trash a working system.
exactly what should be done yearly to ensure system
trouble free
Joined
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4,148 Posts
If it's a 99, I certainly wouldn't worry about it. Honestly, I've heard many anti oil injection statements, but never one actually from an owner that had an engine blow becaue of it... Do yourself a favor, and even if you won't work on it yourself, pick up a repair manual. That will tell everything you need to know about basic maintainence & how to test safety systems.
Jon
Jon
Joined
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626 Posts
to VRO or not VRO
I'm an Evinrude man.
First VRO set up was a 1986 110 HP on an 18' skiff.
Second was 1987 200HP on a 23' WAC Sea-OX
Third and present boat:twin 225 HP Ocean Pro on a 29' Proline,all 1994.
All these engines were bought new by me.
Now,so far ,I have never had any problem with VRO.But just in case,I always carry enough extra oil to make a 50:1 mixture,which can be a chore ,the 29' boat holds 300 gallons of gas.
Pete
I'm an Evinrude man.
First VRO set up was a 1986 110 HP on an 18' skiff.
Second was 1987 200HP on a 23' WAC Sea-OX
Third and present boat:twin 225 HP Ocean Pro on a 29' Proline,all 1994.
All these engines were bought new by me.
Now,so far ,I have never had any problem with VRO.But just in case,I always carry enough extra oil to make a 50:1 mixture,which can be a chore ,the 29' boat holds 300 gallons of gas.
Pete
Joined
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5,139 Posts
Types of Engines
It really depends on the type of engine you have also.
On Yamaha & Suzuki there is a reserve tank mounted on the engine that holds better then a quart. Not sure about the Evenrude FICHT.
If your warning light goes on that is the first thing I would check and if low fill that with oil. This reserve tank with put the right amount of oil in required by the specs.
On the bottom of that tank is also a sight glass that looks like a cows utter. You will be able to see if there is any water or foriegn matter in there to obstruct the flow of oil.
I would read the owners manual for checking and cleaning that particular bulb.
I would not add extra oil to the gas as Yamamha HPDI series or the Evenrude FICHT series as they require a precise amount for operation. The holding tank should be enough to get you home and have it checked. On those particular series of engines extra oil is not spit out the exhaust and adding adding extra oil with fuel will foul the injectors thus creating a real mess that will be a costly repair.
I would advise you to carry and extra gallon on board just in case something happens and just fill up the holding tank.
If you do not have these types of engines the most that will happen with over oiling is you will foul out the plugs and they are easy enough to change. I would rather do that then replace a power head any time.
It really depends on the type of engine you have also.
On Yamaha & Suzuki there is a reserve tank mounted on the engine that holds better then a quart. Not sure about the Evenrude FICHT.
If your warning light goes on that is the first thing I would check and if low fill that with oil. This reserve tank with put the right amount of oil in required by the specs.
On the bottom of that tank is also a sight glass that looks like a cows utter. You will be able to see if there is any water or foriegn matter in there to obstruct the flow of oil.
I would read the owners manual for checking and cleaning that particular bulb.
I would not add extra oil to the gas as Yamamha HPDI series or the Evenrude FICHT series as they require a precise amount for operation. The holding tank should be enough to get you home and have it checked. On those particular series of engines extra oil is not spit out the exhaust and adding adding extra oil with fuel will foul the injectors thus creating a real mess that will be a costly repair.
I would advise you to carry and extra gallon on board just in case something happens and just fill up the holding tank.
If you do not have these types of engines the most that will happen with over oiling is you will foul out the plugs and they are easy enough to change. I would rather do that then replace a power head any time.
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