I keep reading about people that make comments about problems that "plague" the Rubicon's transmissions. I bought a Rubicon last April and have logged over 1500 miles on it and almost 170 hours. Changed the oil and filter at 100 miles, 600 miles, and followed Honda's reccommended 1200 mile service including a new spark plug, vlave clearance check (no adjustment needed), checked chassis bolts ect. I run the middle grade Chevron gasoline and run Valvoline 10w40 engine oil. Valvoline, the number one choice of top mechanics.

I have not had a single problem with a single thing. Zero oil consumption. Have been in mud, snow, sub freezing temperatures in Wyoming and ridden double with a loaded trunk in the heat in southern Utah, no problems. What type of problems are you experiencing?

Specta
Honda Red 01 Rubicon

 

Some people are lucky, others aren't

 

Not a single problem with mine,still not a quad out that I would trade it for,you just gotta love that tranny.Mine has 1200mi & 150hrs on it.I wish honda would put the hondamatic tranny in the rancher,that would give me a reason to trade my 450.

 

Need Help!
My Rubicon's fan runs constantly, almost, and everyone has to stop and wait for my heat light to go off, after just about every trail we ride. I keep the engine oil changed, and the coolant topped off. I am very mechanically inclined, but this one has me stumped. Can anyone tell why she runs so hot all of the time?

 

Have you pulled your plug to see if you are running lean? that can cause a lot of engine heat.When I bought my Wolverine new,it was so hot it fryed the paint off the pipe,and the oil temp light came on a lot.The dealer pulled the plug,it was bone white,rejetted,no more problems.Some units can come from the factory not set up for a certain region,things like altitude can really give you problems.

 

TeamRidge---- Are you POSITIVE the the radiator is clear of mud? It doesn't take much to make a Ruby run hot. Be sure the backside of the radiator is clean also. Does the fan come on when you first start it up in the morning? R U sure it IS overheating, and not just the fan coming on due to some other malfunction?

 

Are the people claiming the Ruby transmission problems actual Rubicon owners?? I've seen a couple posts about other problems, but not a lot on the transmission. With over 500 miles on mine there has only been a dead battery that refuses to hold a charge.

As for Teamridge's fan always running, I have to agree with TRX450 about the mud in the radiator. My fan seemed to be kicking on more than usual after a couple dips in a mud hole so I took a hose to the radiator - front AND back. Solved the problem.

 

Put a flashlight behind the radiator....can you see light through it? I thought I was cleaning mine for over a year until I did that.

 

hey guys, thanks for the info. I did verify that the radiator was clean. and the plug looks good as well. Although, I didn't notice, but the part # on the plug, matches the # that the owner's manual says is for cold weather. There are two #'s, one for cold and one for normal, my plug has been replaced by my dealer, I don't know why they would use the one for cold weather though?
Now that I think of it, my fan and heat light were on constantly all winter too, even without being in mud, just all snow and 25degree weather, it still overheated. I dunno, could just need flushed, or maybe the waterpump is wearing out?
I had to replace my battery, and at 2800 miles, looks like the tranny is going out. Sure glad I took the 4 year warranty!
If you run unto any ideas, drop them my way!

P.S. For anyone wondering, I have run 27" Titan 589's on my rubi, since it had 300 miles, no mods or extras needed, they haven't rubbed or touched anything, and at 2800+miles now, they still look like new. They perform great! I am a true believer!

 

Charley,
Pulling around the 27 inch tires don't help with overheating. I run Titans but i stuck to stock diameter. My 25's on the c series wheel feel pretty heavy to me .
On the other brands a heavy tire would stress the drive belt first on a Ruby it is the pump and once you get that oil hot it breaks down the viscosity which is bad news all around.
I pulled a mower around in low for a good 3 hours last weekend in 80 some degree heat. I could feel the heat coming off the engine but the temp light never came on.
My dealer who has his own Ruby says the worst thing you can do to them is put jumbo mudders on them . I don't claim to be an expert just my opinion.
Happy Trails