jaymay75

I found a 2001 Honda Rubicon for $1200. It has a bad clutch. How do I know that the transmission is good on this ATV. Also, the seller doesn't have the title - he just has the bill of sale. Is this a problem?

Seems like a great price, I just want to make sure I'm covered.

Thank you,

Jason

toodeep

Welcome to the forum. Returned a PM before I seen this post.

rich450es

weicome to the forum
it depends what state your from if you need a title....call the RMV
on the hondamatic tranny i dont realy know but if the tranny is bad its like $1200 for a new one ! so ?????

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szembek

Yeah depends on the state as far as titles go. Call your DMV. In NY all you need is the previous registration signed over, but it only matters if you actually want to register it anyway.

jaymay75

So I need to do an oil pressure test to find out if the transmission is good?

If there are no error codes, and it moves - is that a good indication that the transmission is good?

toodeep

I'll reply here so the others can join in. It could be the transmission or it is possible the oil pump chain fell off causing no oil pressure. I would figure on a transmission repair if I was buying it so if it is the chain it would be a huge bonus. There is an allen head bolt on the left/front side of the motor that is the check port for the oil pressure. If you remove that and no oil comes out then there is a possibility it's the chain. If a little oil starts to come out (low oil pressure) then possibly the transmission or oil pump. It could also be the transmission with no oil pressure but most of the time they have a little pressure. If everything is working it will have 40-60 psi oil pressure at idle and 150+psi with throttle so be careful checking it.

jaymay75

Thanks for the help. I'm going to have him check the oil pressure. He says when he puts it in drive, it tries to go, but won't. He doesn't rev the engine. He said he "might" have heard some grinding. Starting to sound like a transmission - huh.

toodeep

Yes it does, I would keep looking unless you can get it really cheap and want a project.

HTQM

Been there, done that. Like Toodeep said, do the oil pressure check but what you wrote about it "trying" to move sounds like the hondamatic is shot. Check craigslist and ebay for your local area so you have an idea of what Rubicon's, Foreman's, Rancher's etc... are going for then make an offer accordingly, if you like to turn wrenches.

In my case I paid $650 for the Rubicon (fairly good shape extept the exact sympton you discribed). After tranny, oil pump, gaskets and odds and ends I came in $500 to $1k less than average for this area. BUT, thats turning my own wrenches.

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jaymay75

Just so I understand - Hondamatic transmissions can't be fixed / rebuilt - once they are shot - they're shot.

But.

Honda Foreman transmissions can be fixed. You can replace gears, etc?

Is one transmission more durable than the other?

Thanks,

Jason