1986 Johnson 175 VRO troubleshooting

[ktisdall]

I have a 1986 175 Johnson on my 1984 200ccp.  I just got this rig this spring and I'm slowly working through all the lack of maintenance it has had.   The engine runs well, boat does about 35mph at 5200rpm trimmed out with 15.5x17 stainless prop.

But it seems to smoke a lot at idle, it sometimes stalls when changing gears while docking,  and the plugs are wet with oil and very dark in color when I look at them.  I have seen this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEbW-6eOc5I

My vro pump seems to click more often than once every 30 sec.  More like every 10 sec.  I see no gas leaks and the clicking doesn't seem to change much if at all even if I pump the bulb.  I'm sure my fuel lines are ancient but the main fuel filter is new.  And again, at WOT it runs like a scared cat.

My plan is to just replace all the fuel lines leading from tank to filter, and from the engine inlet (bulb and line from filter are new) to the vro.  Including new clamps.  I am considering omitting the on-engine fuel filter in the line going to the vro pump.  Why have 2 filters?

At the moment I am not considering removing the VRO system, so let's not go there.

Any other ideas?


--Kevin

[slvrlng]

VRO is a pain. The PO of my boat had disconnected it and that is one thing I am glad of, now I mix and don't worry about the dang thing failing.  here are a couple of pics out of my manual on a 1994 175. Should be pretty close, at least its a start!

[ktisdall]

slvring -

thanks for that.  I probably should get a shop manual first off. I was an omc-certified o/b mechaning back in 1976-81 but I've forgotten most of what I knew and really don't have the special tools needed now.   Back then a few wrenches and a timing fixture could take you a long way in correcting problems.

--Kevin