A buddy and I recently bought new Rubicon 500's. Us and the wives have been riding to the same places each time we've ridden, so they both have exactly 60 miles on them. The last two times we've ridden on trails (averaging 10 mph speed) the coolant/oil light comes on both machines within seconds of each other. We turn them off and it takes the fan running for about 5 minutes to make the light go out, again within seconds of each other. We start them back up and the light comes on again within 10 mins of riding. My coolant was low so I re-filled it, but the light on both machines is still coming on, especially on slow rides. Anyone have a clue or have this problem? The dealership said it just needs scheduled maintenance, but that seems odd after only 50-60 miles and about 12 hrs. Appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks for looking.

 

I have a rubicon (2003) model and rode it for hours, like 10:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon and I had no problems with it over heating. I only have 160 miles on. The only thing the dealer told me was to keep the rad. clean if I was to go mudding with it. My freind aslo has the same model and has over 500 miles on it and has not had that problem. Average speed we do together is about 15 to 20 mph.

 

I have a 2003 Rubicon with around 25 hours on it. I have taken it through mud, very high grass at low speeds and just everyday riding around and I hadn't had any problems with overheating. I live in south east texas where the temp. is around 95 in the shade and 90% humidity. In fact my fan only comes on after riding slow for long periods of time. Honda likes to use the excuse it needs the first service. Thats the same line they used on me when my Rubicon was backfiring. I believe you need to check to make sure your radiator is free from mud or grass and the air can circulate freely. If thats not it I would get the service done and make sure they fix the overheating problem because it is not normal.

 

My 2001 Rubicon also ran hot when it was new, especially on slow downhills. After a few hundred miles break in the light stopped coming on. There is also the possibility of an air pocket in your cooling system. The service manual procedure to burp out the air is to let the engine cool completely. Overnight is best because you have to remove the radiator cap. Start the engine with the cap off and blip the throttle a few times to purge any air bubbles out, then shut it down and fill the rad to the highest point without it pukeing out. Make sure the level in the recovery tank is between the upper and lower levels. Hope this helps and enjoy your new quad. They are awesome machines.

 

My light came on the other day. The day before we had went in some SERIOUS mud holes and down rain swollen creeks. I went back the next day to clean up and the light came on and all I was doing was slow cruising. I went home and hit her with the pressure washer and got the radiator real good. I then took it in for the 10 hour service and they checked everything but couldn't find anything wrong. It hasn't came on again. It may be mud/debris in the radiator fans. I'm going to check those real close from now on. I'm thinking about taking a small pump (garden) sprayer with me to rinse it off every now and again.