I tried to order P/N: 17516-s5a-930 for my 2004 EP-3 and the vendor sent me a note telling me that part is no longer sold by Honda in the US. WTF??

 

Call some of the online Honda OEM parts dealers and see what they say.

E.g.

bkhondaparts.com
hondaautomotiveparts.com
hondapartscheap.com

 

There's like a law that auto manufacturers need to keep making stuff for cars for at least 10 years after the vehicle has been discontinued. If anything it's only unavailable for that vendor.

 

Not sure if thats true though since the OEM muffler for the 02-05 Civic Si (EP3) is discontinued.

 

That is completely and totally untrue. There is no law of any kind regarding parts availability.

However, I understand that when government departments (such as the military, fire departments, etc.) make purchases, sometimes they will put a clause in the purchase contract which states that parts must remain available from the manufacturer for a certain term. This is to ensure that the vehicles can be properly repaired during the time they are in service.

 

Just for fun I tried the second one in your list. Normally, if a part is unavailable they will say so in the list. No such warning with the OP's part number, so I'm guessing it's still available.

 

Never had a problem with hondapartscheap.com

Wasn't Honda bragging a few years back about their "super-machine" that supposedly could produce any part within the last 20 years?

 

Some parts places will get rid of certain parts from thei catalogue in order to make room for newer part inventory. Probably what happened... Check around online.

 

Another thing, some part numbers change, like today I got a radiator cap and the number changed.

 

I'm pretty sure this only stands true to safey and state inspection parts. The only way to get that filter from Honda now is to get the fuel pump. The pn to that is 17045-S5A-A31. Kinda pricey.

 

As I stated above, THERE IS NO SUCH LAW for ANY parts, "safety" or otherwise. automakers are free to discontinue any parts anytime.

 

Any change to the part, however minor, will result in a number change. There could be a consolidation of parts, an improvement to a part, or a change in suppliers. All of the above will force a number-change.

 

This part has been listed as "no longer serviced," I asked my rep if any dealer had it in the country and he said none have them in stock.

Oreilly Autoparts have them
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0401&ppt=C0025

Autozone lists them on their pro site but not on their main, call them with this part number, FS226 Airtex fuel pump strainer


17516S5A930 part number has NOT been superseded.