My 2001 Rubi with about 2200 km (1500 miles) has begun making a whirling or spooling sound when I am creeping down over rough terrain.
This happens only when no throttle is being applied.
The engine braking still seems to be working as usual, but the noise is certainly not normal. The noise is getting progressively worse and when you coast to a stop and then apply power to pull away - it feels like the tranny spools up, clunks, then engages.
My Rubi has been at the dealer for over a week and they cannot figure out the problem. The tech indicated it may be clutch related and they were waiting for Honda to respond with potential solutions.
Any other Rubicon owners face similar scenarios?
Any help would be appreciated.
I traded my 2000 Grizzly for the Rubi because I didn't want any problems.
So far I'm sure I made the right choice, but....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]

 

There should be some noise, but nothing excessive. Its a very distinct noise that no other quad has. My initial guess would be that one of the two oil pumps has gone out. Without them the top end doesnt get enough oil and creates noise. Have them check the pressure on BOTH oil pumps.

 

RubiconNS,
i'd like to know what they find wrong with your tranny.
i'm thinking about buying an '03 Rubicon.
post their findings.
thanks,
-MT

 

Hi! I also have a 2001 Rubicon with 5700 kilometers on it. Today I was out on a run for the IWK and the description of the noises that you were having with your bike I encountered them today! Did you find the problem with your bike, and how did you go about correcting it and the cost, I would appreciate any information that you can give me! I have had the bike into Pro Cycle at 5000 kilometers for a grinding noise upon take off, this would only happen once every 100 kilometers. They could not find anything wrong with it when they test drove it and were not willing to tear it apart.Thank you for any information that you can forward.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Both the excessive noise during engine braking, and the weirdness at take off speed definitely point to a problem with the centrifugal clutch. It is responsible for both of those tasks, and it seems to me we had a couple go bad on 2001 models. Has your dealer removed the front cover, pulled the clutch, disassembled and inspected it? An oil psi test is always in order on a rubicon, cause it is so easy to do and eliminates a lot of problems right off the bat. One pump provides all the pressure for both the tranny (140psi@3500rpm) and the lubrication system (70psi@3500rpm). There ARE two different relief valves for this pump though, to get those two different figures. One on the pump itself, and another on the right side of the front cover. Anyway, oil pressure was not a factor in the centrifigal clutch failures I saw. It was more a matter of broken parts.

 

Sounds you have the common oil pump problem that many , many people had ! It is one of the relief valves that stick and then causes low oil pressure.

Honda has been covering these under warranty with no ? asked !

THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM , Honda know's about it !

Have your dealer check the oil pressure and then call Northbay cycle and sports and they will explain to them what Honda has been changing . They have done dozens, they can do it with there eye's closed.

Later

Mark

 

It's the one on the oil pump itself that sticks, unfortunately. It requires engine removal and case splitting. It is easily diagnosed by a five minute oil psi test. To my knowledge, Honda will buy this repair "goodwill" as of last fall at least. But your dealer HAS to ask for it for you. Or you can call customer service. In this case, I think you will find that the centrifugal clutch is the problem though.

 

I have down a couple of these tranny problems and have had to remove the engine and replace the oil pump and the atuo tranny make sure that you get the tranny replace once it starts slipping in rounds off the seats that the pistons ( in the tranny) which the dealer can bench test the tranny I have had every one fail the bench test so I always replace it. I myself have never had a centrifcal clutch go bad making that noise going down hills. Make sure that you don't run 20w/50 Honda says it will make the tranny not work right either. Just bring it to you dealer and have them do a pressure test on the oil pump and go from there.

 

Cluby,
How much does it cost to do all those repairs?
-MT

 

Bench testing those auto tranny's is tricky. Unless there is an obvious lock up within it, you are left with unlcear results. Even a brand new one out of the box "feels weird" turning it over. I think many got replaced in conjunction with the oil pump problems that were still fine. The lack of oil psi was the cause of the tran slipping and making noise. It's ok they got replaced because why take a chance as long as Honda's buying, and if you're wrong, you have to disassemble AGAIN to replace the auto tran.