1995 Johnson 130 V4

Swath · #1 03-10-2013, 05:37 PM

Any comments? Concerns? Modifications?

Just purchased this motor on a 1995 Sylvan. Everything looks very clean and tested at between 139 and 142 psi on compression. No leaks. Clean plugs and leg oil. Oil injected still with the remote tank. Bought it from a dealer in P.A.

Anything I should be leary of?

YeeHaw · #2 03-11-2013, 06:01 PM

Dont be afrade to change the impeller on the lower unit, change spark plugs, and clean the carb or carbs, just so you know when it was done last. If you have done a compression test, you wont know till spring, when you firs try it out.

jim summit · #3 03-11-2013, 07:19 PM

Is it fuel injected? Called FICHT series. They can have problems with the fuel system. If the warning light comes on, get it checked out, know guys who kept running theres till it ate a piston.

The carbed V-4 are just about bullet proof, thirsty but strong performance.

browning375 · #4 03-11-2013, 10:43 PM

I have a 1992 120 Johnson V4 wide block. Very dependable unit, just a per precaution I use Amsoil in it and it runs nice and the plugs stay clean and a lot less smoke.

Swath · #5 03-12-2013, 11:48 AM

Thanks for the input guys. No it is not a FICHT (thank goodness) just an old school quad carb. I heard they can be a little thirsty but that they are also a tank. Fingers crossed.

Swath · #6 03-12-2013, 11:49 AM

Browning,

Do you have the remote oil tank on yours or are you mixing?

browning375 · #7 03-12-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swath

Browning,

Do you have the remote oil tank on yours or are you mixing?

Yes I have the remote tank VRO system. My has a low oil alarm on the float that goes off when you have quarter of a tank left.
No major concerns so far, just make sure you use a good fuel stabilizer when storing so the card does not plug up, most oil mixes have it already but instill add it regularly to mine. I also mix a little oil in my big tank as a back up, not much but enough so if the pump fails it give a guy a chance. I would rather be a little on the rich side than burn it up.

laker taker2 · #8 03-12-2013, 03:02 PM

I burned up a 60hp evinrude with VRO. after some reading when I pulled it apart it was exactly as described it would be by some knowledgable guys on another walleye forum in the US. Literally to a tee.......I then talked with one of them after and he had a 90hp with VRO. he did the same thing, burned it up. he rebuilt his and removed the VRO system all together and did his own mixing. still has it today and the rebuild was 10yrs ago. they are good strong engines but the weak link is by far the VRO. if you pre mix 50:1 its easy and will last forever with a few simple spark plug changes a year. Merc uses a better gravity fed system and it doesn't fail.
you can google and find easy instuctions to remove it if you are interested. just my 2 cents having ruined a goof engine before.

Drewski Canuck · #9 03-12-2013, 03:11 PM

VRO2 systems actually are pretty fool proof. Emphasis, fools still can wreck things. If you watch your oil level, then a faulty buzzer won't be the end of the motor. The pumps rarely fail. Frankly, if the buzzer is on and you are wide open, you will get a low oil warning but might miss it in the noise.

There are alot of good articles about VROs and how well they work. However, an empty tank is still an empty tank and oil won't appear by magic.

You should have a solid engine, if the compression is over 110 there is not alot better that you can do than an older V4 OMC. Fuel savings are meaningless to justify a new engine in Alberta. We have 15ish weekends a year to use the boat. 20 years use is equivelent to 5 years in the southern US where you can boat 52 weeks a year.

Drewski

Swath · #10 03-12-2013, 04:29 PM

VRO vs. VRO2? When was VRO2 implimented? Any impact of premixing say 100:1 and VRO at the same time aside from a bit of smoke?

Swath · #11 03-12-2013, 04:48 PM

Sorry Browning, I asked a question that you already answered. You say a bit of mixing but would it be 50:1....100:1?

laker taker2 · #12 03-12-2013, 09:50 PM

The low oil alarm will go off when the resevoir runs low. Simple. It won't do anything if the pump fails or plugs up or or or.....except burn the cylinder up at WOT in the middle of cold lake where you'll beg for a tow home. I'm just saying.......

browning375 · #13 03-12-2013, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swath

Sorry Browning, I asked a question that you already answered. You say a bit of mixing but would it be 50:1....100:1?

I mixed 100:1 in my main tank. I like it a little rich, and I switched to Amsoil and never had a problem. Is your choice if you want to bypass the VRO system, just saying what I do myself.

Drewski Canuck · #14 03-12-2013, 11:19 PM

VRO2s have been around since the late 80's. I went 16 years on a 110 GT with no problems. Presently running a 92 120 v4 with it. My recollection is that there is a fuel shut down if the oil quits on the VRO, as it is a mixer before the carb for both fuel and oil. Alot of wives tales out there on the system.

By the way Lakertaker, what crap oil are you running that would ever "plug up" the VRO tank or the pump? Any TCW3 oil is pretty fluid. Are you sure your impeller hadn't failed and you overheated the engine for lack of cooling water? That sounds alot more plausible.

Drewski

YeeHaw · #15 03-13-2013, 08:13 AM

I have an 01 johnson with the oil injection, and heard alot of negitive comments about it, so I bypassed the system and premix 50:1. Do what you wish, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Swath · #16 03-13-2013, 08:44 AM

All good comments gents. Thanks for all of your input.

Swath · #17 03-13-2013, 08:50 AM

I think I will do what Browning does in this case. VRO and a light fuel mix. Seems like it will cover both scenarios. Thanks again for your input.

mxz1997 · #18 03-20-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swath

I think I will do what Browning does in this case. VRO and a light fuel mix. Seems like it will cover both scenarios. Thanks again for your input.

This is what I do too as I would hate to lose my engine to vro failure. And other than that, your engine is pretty much bullet proof. Just remember to do the water pump impeller and gear oil change every once in a while.

Swath · #19 03-21-2013, 09:33 AM

Has anybody done a water pump impeller on a V4 OMC before? Is it difficult for the average home garage mechanic to do?

Drewski Canuck · #20 03-21-2013, 09:36 AM

Water Pump is not difficult, and there should be a manual for that leg on Iboats. These pumps are usually good for a very long time, unless used in Salt Water. All the same, with the few "soft water" weekends we get, its worth doing for peace of mind.

Drewski

Swath · #21 03-22-2013, 08:52 AM

One more question.....I am hoping to get a 4 stroke kicker as well. If i have the VRO system and a 100:1 premix (just an added precaution) I was hoping to plumb the kicker into the main tank as well. Any issues with a 100:1 premix on a 4 stroke? I'm thinking plug fouling and smoke perhaps.

Comments?

fish99 · #22 03-22-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swath

One more question.....I am hoping to get a 4 stroke kicker as well. If i have the VRO system and a 100:1 premix (just an added precaution) I was hoping to plumb the kicker into the main tank as well. Any issues with a 100:1 premix on a 4 stroke? I'm thinking plug fouling and smoke perhaps.

Comments?

its a 4 stroke you donot add oil to the fuel its just like your car, you change the oil at proper intervals.

browning375 · #23 03-22-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swath

One more question.....I am hoping to get a 4 stroke kicker as well. If i have the VRO system and a 100:1 premix (just an added precaution) I was hoping to plumb the kicker into the main tank as well. Any issues with a 100:1 premix on a 4 stroke? I'm thinking plug fouling and smoke perhaps.

Comments?

I wouldn't run your four stroke on 100:1 if I was you. I would just use a 5gal tank for your kicker. Not worth the problems you may cause to your kicker, they are not designed to burn mixed fuel.

Swath · #24 03-22-2013, 10:55 AM

I was thinking that too. That will take up valuable floor space. I guess I have some decsions to make. I assume you run off of a portable tank too for your kicker?

Swath · #25 03-22-2013, 10:56 AM

I guess it wouldnt be so bad in the event that I have a fuel issue in my main tank.