william1991
New member
Alright so let’s start this long post. I recently bought a 1991 Stratos 274FS equipped with a 1991 Evinrude XP175, boat has sit for about 2 years. Swapped in new plugs and replaced the rectifier. Got an impeller kit on the way. So while testing the engine just didn’t want to run right spitted and sputtered and just plum didn’t want to stay running. Went to test it again today, and immediately when switching the key to on, I got the over heat/fuel restriction alarm (solid beep) the oil tank was full of oil. So I decided to mess around with the VRO and unhooked the oil line from the motor long and behold instead of oil coming out when I primed the bulb it was water about 90% full of water with oil floating in that!!! 
so I pulled the oil tank cleaned it all out and put it back in the boat. So now I know there is going to be some water in the VRO pump and I’m sure water was mixing in with the gas (probably why it was spitting and running like crap) so I’m kinda considering just unhooking the VRO plug along with the positive wire. Now if I do this and just pull the oil tank out and cap off the end on the motor. Will the fuel pump still work? Kinda new to all this. My buddy told me this was the best choice that way I KNOW my fuel/oil is mixed exactly 50:1. I’m guessing I’m gonna replace my plugs again and just hope that if I do bypass the VRO that the water will burn out and run good. But yeah this is where I’m at just curious if Bypassing the VRO is okay to do. And if that fuel pump is still going to work. Buying a new VRO is kinda out of the question at the moment. (Wife will kill me) seeing I have been putting money into the boat lol. Just need some advice thanks. Side note* I’m assuming water got into the oil tank because previous owner never covered it and it sit a long time. I’m assuming something stopped up the hull plug hole and the back filled with water. Just my though by looking at the batteries when I got the boat.
so I pulled the oil tank cleaned it all out and put it back in the boat. So now I know there is going to be some water in the VRO pump and I’m sure water was mixing in with the gas (probably why it was spitting and running like crap) so I’m kinda considering just unhooking the VRO plug along with the positive wire. Now if I do this and just pull the oil tank out and cap off the end on the motor. Will the fuel pump still work? Kinda new to all this. My buddy told me this was the best choice that way I KNOW my fuel/oil is mixed exactly 50:1. I’m guessing I’m gonna replace my plugs again and just hope that if I do bypass the VRO that the water will burn out and run good. But yeah this is where I’m at just curious if Bypassing the VRO is okay to do. And if that fuel pump is still going to work. Buying a new VRO is kinda out of the question at the moment. (Wife will kill me) seeing I have been putting money into the boat lol. Just need some advice thanks. Side note* I’m assuming water got into the oil tank because previous owner never covered it and it sit a long time. I’m assuming something stopped up the hull plug hole and the back filled with water. Just my though by looking at the batteries when I got the boat.