I'm looking at a couple of boats to purchase. One is powered by a 1996 Johnson Fast Strike 150, the other by a 1993 Evinrude Intruder 150. Should these older engines have the VRO system replaced with new? Should they be disconnected and go with mixed gas? Should they be avoided altogether? I believe the oil pumps in Mercury engines are gear driven with little chance of oil pump failure. Is the oiling system for Yamaha engines gear driven as well?

if a Johnson or evinrude is the only option of motor that you have definitely disconnect the vro. vro means very rarly oils.

here is what I did on my 96 175 fast strike, they are excellent engines but I do not trust any oil injection system when I can premix and know what the carbs are feeding the cylinders.

not a hard conversion at all and will work the same on either of those engines.

I sold my working vro for more than I had in parts to convert, costs about 55.00 for all the parts and sold the vro for 100.00 (this included the tank and all parts)

I owned a new Johnson 60 hp on a new Tracker TX17 in 92 with oil injection, I owned that boat 2 years and of that 2 years it spent 13 months in the shop getting two power head rebuilds and an eventual power head replacement. As soon as I got it back from the shop the last time I dumped it because I was totally frustrated with it. It was all money pretty much so I walked away with enough cash to close the deal on my next rig. The guy I sold it to removed the oil injection and mixed his own. I am able to stay in contact with the guy I sold it to somewhat through his son and the last time I talked to him a few years back it was still going strong and he hadn't put a wrench on it other than general maintenance. He fishes the False River area down in Louisiana quiet regularly........

Yes

Are Yamaha oil pumps gear driven, similar to Mercury engines?

yes the merc an yams have gear driven oil pumps you pay more for those motors at the point of purchase but when you go to sell they will bring more .most bass boat guys want oil injection because you use much less oil an its easier than putting the correct mixture of oil in the gas.

Thanks for the information.

Yes

disconnected my vro as hopalong did on my 98 150 faststrike. runs great and peace of mind. can allways reinstall if I sell and buyer wants it original

Get rid of the VRO. Had to rebuild a 90 HP Johnson because of this. Bad system!