2005 polaris predator wont start

Hillbillydrummer · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2011, 01:13 PM

Hey guys! I have an 05 Predator 500 that will not start. It turns over, but will not fire. I had it running yesterday (11/28/2011) and rode it a while. I know for sure my battery is shot because I have been using a Jump Box to crank it. The carb is clean because I had to buy one, and it was installed yesterday which is why I was riding to make sure the carb was good. It also backfires sometimes while trying to crank it. I also know the valves are OK, because it was running fine yesterday and I just adjusted them a few weeks ago. I think I definitely need a battery and maybe need a new plug. It doesn't have a lot of gas in it at all, but enough for it to crank. I also know the gas that is in it, well I cant tell you the last time I put fresh gas in it so that could be an issue. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

Hillbillydrummer · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2011, 03:29 PM

Anyone???

**Bruce!** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2011, 03:35 PM

Welcome to the board!

JFoley001 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2011, 03:56 PM

Predators need a surprisingly high level of fuel in the tank to be above the suction tube in the petcock. Fill it with fresh gas, connect your jumper cables, open the petcock, pull the choke, and it will fire.

Hillbillydrummer · #5 (**permalink**) 11-29-2011, 08:10 PM

I will give that a try...thanks!

JFoley001 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2011, 09:18 PM

Any luck?

Hillbillydrummer · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2011, 11:18 PM

I ended up tearing it back down, just to make sure the valves were still within specs. When I took the valve cover off, I immediately noticed my cams were all out of wack, no were near where they need to be when it is turned to TDC. I think my timing chain had jumped. I pulled the clutch cover, removed my clutch basket and all and removed the chain to replace it. It has never been replace since new in 2005. So I'm waiting on a chain and tensioner and that is pretty much where I am. I still have to get a battery and plug. I tried to see if I had spark but the battery is completely shot and does nothing but tick when I hit the start button, not even enough power to produce a spark at all.

JFoley001 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 06:02 PM

So I guess it wasn't low on fuel? Lol Sounds like you've got it under control!

Hillbillydrummer · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2011, 09:04 AM

Oh no...you were right...it was way low on fuel. I removed the tank to dump the old gas out and held it up right as if it were sitting on the frame turned the fuel on and i may have got a few drips out of it. Is it or is it not recommended to reinstall the timing chain tensioner with it already extended? Are you supposed to release the tension, install then let it tighten back up slowly? I'm a little confused about that as well?

Hillbillydrummer · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2011, 02:01 PM

Well...i got my chain in today and installed it. What a difference! I can hardly move the cams with it loose with the new chain. The old tensioner wont even go in now so im guessing the old chain was stretched bad. Still waiting on the new tensioner...so i know i will have to retract the new one to get it in. I may be on to something finally!