When will it be Obsolete?

[Jon Boat Jim]

I'm new to Nissan/Tohatsu motors after being an old early 80's Evinrude owner. After reading posts to this forum, I not likeing what I read about the availability of parts for older N/T motors. This really wasn't a problem with Evinrude/Johnson motors.
I have an NS18E2 (1999 Nissan 18hp, electric start) should I start stocking up on parts like carb and lower unit rebuild kits, waterpump impellers, etc.?

Jon Boat Jim

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: When will it be Obsolete?

Parts availability is a problem for all brands. It's usually highlighted on Japanese engines in the U.S. because the Japanese still cannot understand why we hold onto older engines past their useful service life. Your model engine is still a manufactured model so at least another ten to 15 years of parts availability.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: When will it be Obsolete?

The 18E2 is the latest current version produced in Japan, parts will be available untill remaining 90% of countries worldwide bans 2 strokes engines, assume parts existance availability and demand in US, Canada each year will be less...I always maintain a stock of cheap principle parts, just to have them handy, we boat all year long...

Happy Boating

 

[pvanv]

Re: When will it be Obsolete?

Parts availability is a problem for all brands. It's usually highlighted on Japanese engines in the U.S. because the Japanese still cannot understand why we hold onto older engines past their useful service life. Your model engine is still a manufactured model so at least another ten to 15 years of parts availability.

Indeed. the Japan market is more Commercial fishing. In salt, that means 5 years life, 10 to obsolescence.. The jap manufacturers are absolutely amazed that I am turning wrenches on 20+ and 30+ year old motors. In cold, clean, fresh water of the Great Lakes, the motors last "forever". But the parts supply doesn't. That's particularly a problem with rubber bits, such as impellers. Try to source an impeller for a 1975 Chrysler 3.6 (air cooled power head, water cooled lower bearing). Since Iacocca ousted Chrysler Marine around 1984, and all the old parts are that vintage, imagine the [dried out] quality of an NOS impeller.

Since the Japan market is so completely different from the US pleasure boating market, there is a definite disparity.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: When will it be Obsolete?

I agree. the Japanese thought process is buy new in 5 years. their laws mandate replacing vehicles every few years as well. its their culture.

most OEM parts are available for 10 years max. Aftermarket for longer if there is a desire.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: When will it be Obsolete?

Hey Paul,

I'll be in Miami next week with a bunch of the Tohatsu engineers. If you have any "why do you do that" questions email them to me and I'll give them to them.