Re: Stuck hydraulic for assisted tilt in 40hp

[Don]

Well, the 40-60hp models have no major cooling concerns, but any motor used in salt water means that regular cooling system service/overhauls are a must to keep it cooling properly. The biggest pain on these engines (88 and earlier) is thermostat access, you must removed that big water cover on the head. It is usually easier to just remove the head to make thermostat access simpler, but it can be done with the head on. The later models had simple thermostats that simply unthreaded. This simple design got mucked up in later years with crazy springs/diaphragms/cups, so thermostats can get pretty confusing, especially if parts have been mixed and matched. The 89 and newer models have a questionable impeller housing grommet design, but a problem would be evident just by pulling the gearcase down. Water pump designs have been overly "designed" as well, you may see some impellers with only three blades, I know, engineering on drugs. Some water pump kits include different thermostat springs as well.
VRO/OMS certainly has no performance or longevity advantages, but it is a simple system and is easily defeated if you want to premix. The system does have a simple "no oil flow" alarm, but this system does not know the difference between oil and water. The system is far from perfect but often ends up being a scapegoat for poor engine performance or powerhead failure. OMC brought this system to market to compete with foreign competition and because customers hate mixing oil/gas. To me, any oil injection system is messy, especially inside the boat where the tank is. I find it easier to premix, using a little gas from the nozzle and rag to clean up any spills on the tank/boat fuel filler neck. BUT, I certainly do not represent the average outboard customer. The one drawback to defeating the system is that fuel dock employees, or "friends" assume newer engine is oil injected and fail to pre mix. The engine will idle all day with no oil, but the game is over in seconds once power is applied.