VRO rebuilding kit

[mightyp]

I have a 1989 225hp Johnson. The VRO pump leaks. The o-ring is no good inside the pump on the oil side. The dealer says there is no rebuild kit for the pump and a new pump is over $300. Seems crazy to replace the pump for a simple o-ring. Is there any place to get the o-ring or any suggestions? Thank you.

[DaleH]

If you haven't as of yet contacted Paul @ Ipswich Outboard, try him, he might even be able to sell you a VRO off a motor that threw a piston.

Otherwise, OMC didn't make the O-Rings, so if you could accurately measure the O-Ring and determine the material (EPDM or Viton) and durometer (relative stiffness or suppleness) then ... you might be able to source one from large industrial places like Grainger or McMaster-Carr. FWIW friends did this for Teleflex Seastar steering seals and bought new O-Rings for < $0.50 each that the dealer sells for > $8 a whack.

Or ... just pre-mix. If you intend to stay with oil injection, the newer pumps (called OMS for Oil Metering System) are bulletproof to the point that I've never heard of one fail.

If it were me and I wanted to stay with oil injection, I'd go with a new pump or a used one from a reputable dealer like Paul. Cuz ... have you priced replacement motors yet ... :eek: ?

[stripah]

I personally would by pass the VRO pump and pre-mix. Less hassle it seems to me. The guys I know who still run those engines have taken them out for good as piece of mind.

Marc

[Go Fish]

Mixing is a pain in the a$$.

My 1992 J200 with VRO lost the VRO in 2004...at something like 1700 hours on it. It was replaced with an OMS pump and the motor is now closing in on 2400 hours.

There were a few problem years with the VRO pumps...but, as with everything in life, reputation long outlives fact when popular opinion is concerned.

Call Ipswich Outboard and ask Maureen to spec the seal for you if she answers...otherwise ask Paul.

[mightyp]

Thanks To all.. I will get on the phone with Ipswich Outboard.