My 04 rubicon stalls under load. The machine has 65 km on it. When going uphill and I let off the throttle the rubi just stalls. The same will happen if I am pulling something heavy. Never had this problem with my foreman 450.

Seems like the rincon is having the same problem. After reading all the articles in this forum it seems like there many honda owners with the same issue. My dealer tried changing the jets (smaller and bigger) and the problem is not going away.


As anyone solved this problem?

 

Just curious, what weight and type of oil are you using in it?

 

I have no idea. I imagine the dealer added the right oil in it before I picked it up.

The dealer is thinking it's a transmision problem. Do you know something the dealer doesn't?

Thanks

 

Sounds like transmission. Possibly a relief valve not set at the right pressure and is not allowing oil to dump or the hyd. motor is not destroking when you let of the power. Sounds like warranty to me. I would probably change the oil first at there expense to see if that helps it go away. Try the simple and cheap stuff first. Warranty!!!!!!!!!!

 

I work at a dealer and have had many Rubicons apart (primarily 01 models). I know they work a lot better with lighter oil (5-30 at the heaviest) in a cold climate. You might want to simply check the oil level too, the Rubicon is very easy to overfill if you don't follow the procedure TO THE LETTER. I have seen this happen a few times and it seems to really cut down on top end so you know it drags on the engine. Otherwise, based on your description, it could be a lot of things, including carb, tran or even the centrifigal clutch. Noticed any thing else weird idling\running wise, backfire, or engine braking downhill? Does your dealer think there is something wrong with it?

 

Luckily my dealer agrees with me. He thinks that this problem is not acceptable and is trying to fix it. He actually took a brand new rubi from the show room and it has the same problem. He is thinking trany as well.

I will call him tomorrow morning and ask about the oil.

Engine braking seemed ok to me. Actually I was really impressed.
Idling seems ok to me.

Clutch problem? Can you elaborate?

Thanks for your help guys, I just spent 10 grand (canadian) on this thing and I am kinda freeking out. Can't really bring this thing back for a refund.

 

65km, how many miles is that? I don't think you have a trans problem at all. The condition you explain the engine is running very rich at the time and when the throttle shuts there is not enough air in the cylinder and it "floods" stalling the engine. Our Rubicon did the same thing when it was brand new. For the first little while we just let off the gas slower. We didn't just let it off or let the throttle "slam shut" and set the idle speed up to specs, it was set too low. I do believe if it was adjusted a little leaner or you just put a 150 to 200 miles on it the problem will go away. Our Rancher did the same when it was brand new. I do believe we set the idle a little higher on it too and it took care of the problem. Make sure the idle speed is set correctly.

We live at 4500 ft and ride mostly around 6000 ft to 12000 ft and occasionally up to 13000 ft. Our dealer installed a 150 jet as part of their pre-delivery. They also installed a 125 jet in our Rancher. As of today, we have 4000 miles on it and I do believe they hit it right from the start. Other than the small adjustment to the idle speed, the carb or mixture have not been touched. We have seen over 28 mpg (2 riders and 100 lbs of cargo) several times on long rides. Riding hard in deep snow I have seen as low as 11 mpg.

4000 miles, 465 hours, zero problems. Our 2001 Rubicon has been an excellent ATV. If we were to buy a new ATV tomorrow, it would be another Rubicon.

I hope this helps, but like I said, it doesn't sound like a trans problem.

 

hmm...another brand new Rubicon does the same thing? You're starting to make me think there is no problem. Specta makes a good point. Those particular circumstances are a tough time for an engine to keep running.

 

To elaborate on the clutch, The Rubicon has one. It's a centrifugal type, similar to that used on nearly all other Honda's where you don't have to disengage the clutch manually. It keeps the engine and transmission separate until a certain RPM is reached. It's why you don't just take off at idle. Simplified description is it looks like a brake drum mounted on the crank end, with spring loaded shoes inside. When the crankshaft is spinning fast enough for the centrifugal force to overcome the springs, you take off. If there is a problem here, symptoms you would notice would be creeping at idle, or jerky taking off. Also symptoms usually are evident under engine braking, ala jerky, slipping behavior, or sometimes noise.

 

I appreciate your point of view but this is not my first time on an ATV. This will be my sixth one and it is the first one that stalls under load. It really sucks when you are going up hill, your wheels start to spin so you let go of the throttle to put in reverse and the things dies and you.

Y