My friends 02 Rincon no longer has any engine breaking left. While I am mechanically inclined enough to tear anything apart and rebuild it, I don't have enough experience or knowledge to troubleshoot this problem. Any help would be appreciated.

My mistake, it might have been a 02 Rubicon.

 

Go and get the oil pressure tested.

 

It's no secret that these things don't have much engine braking to start with, and Honda says they freewheel once the speed is below 8 mph. What you have is more of a design problem then a mechanical one, but there may also be a clutch going bad.

 

Mine had very little engine breaking at less than 10 mph, that's part of the reason I traded UP to a Rubicon.

 

Thanks for the advice, I will pass along the info. But keep coming with more opinions.

 

Is the machine you are talking about a Rubicon or Rincon? As noted above, the Rincon will only hold about 10mph downhill with engine braking.

The Rubicon is a hydromechanical transmission, but it is designed to provide engine braking.

 

A bit confusing, but it appears RedRubi traded "up" from a Rincon to Rubicon. Never ridden a Rincon, but owned two Rubicons, and they have great engine braking control. Can't say enough good about the Rubicon transmission. (suspension is another story!) The new Honda "Big Red" has the Rincon drive train, what a disappointment! The designers just forge ahead, oblivious to what the owner complaints are on this and other forums.

 

Nuke, I did say I traded "UP" to the Rubicon from the Rincon. The reason is because I think the Rubicon is a far better machine, especially tranny wise. I did like the ride of the Rincon better, but I don't have any complaints with the Rubicon ride either. It rides far better than any other SRA I have ridden, and it handles great. The engine on the Rubicon doesn't hammer like the Rincon did either. I personally just like the Rubicon better for how I ride. I'll never buy again without a good test ride.

 

Personally I prefer the Rincon to my buddy's Rubicon, but only in some situations... If you ride trails that are nothing but big rocks and roots, and tend to do 100 mile plus days, the Rincon is the machine I'd take... but I do wish it had a low range.

Quote: I'll never buy again without a good test ride.

That's a good plan. The Rincon isn't for everyone, and I hate to see someone buy a machine only to find out later it was the wrong choice for them.

 

Sorry it was an 02 Rubicon 500. Engine braking used to be good but now there is none.