Yesterday, prior to taking the boat (98 Triton TR18, Evinrude 150) out, I was going over some things in the garage and pumped the fuel bulb up. Then I smelled a strong gasoline odor. I pulled the cowling and air cover and could see gas leaking out of the VRO. It was coming from around the screws and cover of the gas diaphragm. Some also seemed to be coming from the top of the fuel filter housing. Only when I pumped the bulb.

I wiped it down and took the boat out and it started and ran fine, idling, and up to speed 5200 RPMS across the lake a few times and did some fishing. No problems.

But in researching this, the leaking when priming is not normal. It indicates that the diaphragm is leaking and this may result in an incorrect gas/oil ratio. Although I do not get the audible VRO oil warning during startup. I had this VRO replaced maybe 6 years ago.

So I ordered the OEM (not china knockoff) rebuild kit for $150 from a place in Florida. I am going to rebuild this myself. Any others out there have this same problem?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I did it on my 93 faststrike when I did the same thing you did. Pretty straightforward, take a bunch of pics before and during and you'll be fine. keep all the screw in the order they come out.

Thank you. I have a question. When you disconnected the Oil line from the reservoir at the VRO, did you just plug it and then unplug and reconnect it to the new rebuilt VRO? Did you have to then pump the oil bulb? One guy on a youtube video pumped the oil bulb first to get the oil coming out, like bleeding the brakes on a car or something.

I hooked it up and pumped it until the alarm went off.
It would probably be a good idea to cap it or plug it and minimize the amount of air that gets in, but you have to know the factory or dealers do it like I did.

d

Thanks Denny Crane.

I rebuilt it today. Got the kit in the mail from Mastertechs in Florida. https://maxrules.com/ It was the OEM kit. A bit pricey for what you get in the kit, but I suppose that is what it costs to go OEM. Luckily for me, I watched about 4 different "How To Rebuild Your VRO" videos on Youtube prior to trying the rebuild. No instructions come with the kit. So I knew the pitfalls and parts needing changed. It did not take long and I put it back on the boat motor. Now I need a nice day to take it to the lake to back it in the water and test it. I pumped the fuel bulb and don't get the leaking that I had before so I think that part is good.

I would mix the gas in the Tank at 50-1 that way if u have a problem u are at least getting oil in the engine