I just purchased a new 03 Honda 450 S and took it out for my first ride today. I put 15 easy miles on it, and after it cooled off, I noticed a small amount of oil at the back of the engine at the bottom of the recoil starter cover. It looks like a drop or two fell on to the skid plate. I am very concerned, as I bought the Honda solely on their reputation for quality. This ATV replaced a 98 Suzuki 500 that never had a leak or any trouble at all. Can anyone tell me if they have had the same problem? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

Hmm, my rubicon came with some spilled oil from the dealer.... try to trace it (new oil is pretty clear so good luck) and see if its coming fromthe recoil starter cover, or form the crankcase breather..... also oil may drip from the airbox as filters should be well oiled.
Joe

 

Thanks, I plan to clean the machine very well tomorrow and take it for another ride. I hope it's spilled oil and not a leak.

 

I agree that you should clean the area and then see if it leaks. I'd run your finger around the drain plugs and the filter housing to see if there's oil. Also watch the oil level. If you find that there is a drip then don't touch it and take it back so that the dealership will fix it. I had a problem with a drip on the third day of ownership with my Recon. (Someone stripped the drain plug threads) Honda fixed it in the end.
After I change the oil in my quads. I usually stop a couple times during a ride to make sure there are no drips.

 

I'd go back t the dealer or at least give him a call. It's always good to keep him informed. If it's just a spill no biggy, but if it is a leak it's good to give him the heads up. My dealer would want to know.

 

If it is a leak, I will notify the dealer and probably ask for another ATV. I don't know if they would swap it for another 450 S, but if it turns out to be a leak after 15 miles, what other problems will I have down the road? I bought the Foreman because I could not find any negative posts, I hope I'm not the first.

 

I would think this will end of being nothing but its still a machine made by humans.

 

Oil may have leaked when they filled it, may have been over filled, may have come from oil filter. Give machine a good cleaning with a degreaser (even palmolive dish soap will work) and go for another run before you go back to the dealer.

Don't forget to check your oil level before you do anything else, check it as per the instructions in the owners manual, may be too high or too low.

 

Once you've bought it, it's yours! I completely doubt that they would ever swap it. Just imagine the paper work. So you'll take it in for warranty service and then they'll accuse you of doing something wrong and then they'll end up fixing it.

I've had two concerns since my purchase. 1. The 4x4 light would stay on after it was switched into 2x4. I guess this ends up to be normal. 2. I had to move the off button on the left handle bar to get it started once or twice. It almost has to be the switch but it doesn't happen all the time. It would be in the on position but not start until I moved it off then on again. I'm just going to run it for a while to see if it continues to occur. The 450S normally does start alot easier than my Recon.

lilwilly- Other than the oil, how do you like the 450S? I'm sure everything will work out.

 

Besides this problem I really like the machine. I live in Alaska and use ATV's to get way out away from everyone. My last ATV was a Suzuki 500, it did very well. I used it for hunting and on several occasions pulled a trailer up a very steep mountain that weighed over 900 lbs with a moose and all of our gear. The Suzuki performed flawlessly, and from what I've heard about Honda, I am expecting the same level of performance. Dependability is a big deal when you are by yourself in the middle of nowhere. So Far the 450 S seems very strong, and I hope well built.