Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

[scott hamilton]

I am looking at a 8 horse 2005 4 stroke. I do not know much about Nissan as an outboard. Any opinions out there?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

As good as anything else....Or as bad as anything else. When you ask for an opinion here what you will usually get is people that own them praising them...And people who have never run one telling you to buy whatever brand they were stupid enough to buy. Basically it's a misery loves company kind of world.

 

[erwinner]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

I've heard that they're exactly as good as the Mercury and Tohatsu motors.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Or exactly as bad as a Mercury or Tohatsu engine There is way too much mindless brand loyalty based on whatever someone happens to own rather than any knowledge of any difference between one brand or another.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

I've heard that they're exactly as good as the Mercury and Tohatsu motors.

That would be correct, since all 3 are made by Tohatsu, and are indeed identical powerheads.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

And speaking of opinions...Paul, are you guy's going to do the Tohatsu/Honda thing?

 

[erwinner]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Or exactly as bad as a Mercury or Tohatsu engine There is way too much mindless brand loyalty based on whatever someone happens to own rather than any knowledge of any difference between one brand or another.

I agree and have little brand loyalty towards anything. I was just surprised to find out after I got my new Merc that they were made in the same plant on the same lines as the Nissan and Tohatsu. Then I thought about it for another, oh, 5 seconds, and wasn't surprised one bit anymore. But I'm not worried one way or the other as I have had excellent experiences with my Japanese made cars and so far, with this Japanese made Mercury motor that was new this spring, broken in according to the manual, and used about 75 hours this season.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

I've heard that they're exactly as good as the Mercury and Tohatsu motors.

I totally disagree... The decals on the Nissan are much cooler. Certainly worth the extra money!

 

[erwinner]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

That's exactly why I'm getting my new Escalade instead of the Yukon.
(not really, like I could afford either...)

 

[sschefer]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

That's exactly why I'm getting my new Escalade instead of the Yukon.
(not really, like I could afford either...)

It's why I bought a Tahoe too... Sold it this year but it was just as nice as my sisters Yukon and everything still worked in it unlike my cousins Escalade.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

I have a 2006 Tohatsu 15 - 4 cycle, and it's the only 4 cycle outboard I've had so I can't really compare it to anything else.

That being said, I like it except that it seems to be extremely sensitive to fuel issues. The engine has less than 25 hours on it and I've had it in the shop twice for fuel issues this season.

This last weekend I had to tear open the carb to clean again. Just for background, it is a new gas tank, new fuel line, new fuel filter. The gas has been treated with Sta-Bil marine and is only about three weeks old. It had been sitting for less than two weeks since the last outing when it ran fine.

I've had one mechanic tell me to make sure it's run dry after each outing and one tell me to NEVER do that with a 4 cycle. So I'm pretty much reconciled to having clean the beast every month or so, I guess.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Run the carb dry after every use...Stabil only keeps the fuel from rotting. It does not do anything to prevent the fuel evaporation problem in the carburetor which is the reason that 90% of carbureted engines have carb problems.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Run the carb dry after every use...Stabil only keeps the fuel from rotting. It does not do anything to prevent the fuel evaporation problem in the carburetor which is the reason that 90% of carbureted engines have carb problems.

Thanks, that's what I'll start doing then. That's the first time anyone actually explained the reasoning behind the run dry/don' run dry argument for me. It runs great when it's clean, it starts up with just a stab on the starter button.

 

[erwinner]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Run the carb dry after every use...Stabil only keeps the fuel from rotting. It does not do anything to prevent the fuel evaporation problem in the carburetor which is the reason that 90% of carbureted engines have carb problems.

Also nice to have this confirmed. I've always run the gas out before pulling out of the water and have had no problems so far.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

To take advantage, you could run carb dry while engine is being barrel, earf muffs flushed out of water with tab water, will kill 2 birds from a single shot...

Happy Boating

 

[pvanv]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

I totally disagree... The decals on the Nissan are much cooler. Certainly worth the extra money!

Cool they are... and available separately: 3Y3N878011 DECAL SET, NSF8A3 (AQUA MARINE BLUE), $28.97

 

[pvanv]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Run the carb dry after every use...Stabil only keeps the fuel from rotting. It does not do anything to prevent the fuel evaporation problem in the carburetor which is the reason that 90% of carbureted engines have carb problems.

100% correct. For our dealership, I made up a "7 Tips for 4-stroke Carb OB's" Sheet. Every new owner gets one. Running the carb out and leaving the line disconnected is high on the list.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

And speaking of opinions...Paul, are you guy's going to do the Tohatsu/Honda thing?

Elvin, I thought I'd see what VanDyke has to say about it. How about you? Hondas have a mediocre reputation around here, due to mediocre dealer support... Though they do have that long warranty... too bad junk in the carb is never anybody's warranty issue

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Just waiting for the paperwork to be be finished. There hasn't been a Honda or Suzuki dealer in Tampa for years, so it will be a money maker for us as far as parts and service. And every now and then some guy will walk in ask for a Honda because they drank the Kool-Aid

 

[isaksp00]

Re: Your Opinion on Nissan Outboards

Paul/Elvin - what's the "Honda/Tohatsu" thing - some kind of partnership across manufacturers? I have a Honda that came with my sailboat (so it was the PO that drank the Kool-Aid, not me) and there is no dealer near me in NE PA (though I get parts on line). Are other dealers, like Nissan/Tohatsu, starting to support Honda?