polaris predator backfiring

Ryan · #1 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 10:13 AM

I have an 04 predator troy lee that every time i hit the throttle it bogs and backfires. At times it wont even idle. I just bought it about 2 months ago from a dealer. They cleaned and rebuilt the carb, but they said it might need a fuel pump. I called them the next day and they said it was ready for pickup, and that it didn't need the pump. It ran ok the first few times i had it out, but still seemed a bit sluggish. I ran some cleaner/stabilizer called "seafoam" through the gas tank for one tank and it seem a lot better. I stored the atv for a few weeks and now i went to take it out and it runs really bad. No power it wont hardly pull the front wheels off the ground on pavement. backfires/bogs down and sometimes wont idle. I have the ability to fix this myself, i work on cars for a living and this isn't much different. I just need some help from someone skilled in this area. Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ryan

The Kid · #2 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 10:19 AM

i would clean the carb my self and go from there

katch26 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 07:33 AM

lots of things can be wrong.....generally speaking I would say it has something to do with your carb but in my experience if your having trouble idling and and backfiring that sounds like you have extra air coming into the carb. Sometimes the intake manifold will crack, sometimes the clamps just strip out. An easy way to check this is get some ether and spray around the boot while the bike is running and if it surges you've got a leak.

Nate782005 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010, 05:46 PM

I have an 03 Predator that did this from time to time. I bought the thing used from a clown (thats a whole story of its own). I found a newer spark plug installed but not torqued down properly. The gasket on the plug was hardly seated and not making good contact. I installed a new NGK plug and torqued to 18 ft. lbs, no more backfiring. Does your pred have a jet kit? I would def. pull the plug, check its condition and go from there.

eric86 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2010, 09:46 PM

i am having the same problem with my 04 troy lee edition, It was ideling rough so i changed the plug and gapped it at .035 i torqed it to the owners manual and now the engine just turns and doesnt turn over. I drained the battery trying to get it started and flooded the carb, im letting it sit overnight with the battery on charge and hopefully it will turn over by saturday so i can hit the dunes. does any one have any suggestions as to what might be causing this?

Ryan · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2010, 04:46 PM

Well I was playing around with it the other day, and found that the guy that rebuilt the carb didn't tighten one of the clamps on the boot that goes from the carb to the engine. I tightened her down and it seems to run better. I wasn't able to ride it that much so the real test has yet to come. I will keep everyone posted as to if this was the actual fix or not.

Ryan · #7 (**permalink**) 04-08-2010, 11:51 AM

well the boot wasnt the problem. I took the carb apart and cleaned it up today. it runs better, but I still have that missing feeling at low and mid rpm. I ordered a Yoshi pipe and a Dynojet jet kit. Gunna install it when it gets here and play with the tuning and see what happens. WOT feels really good so im wondering if maybe it has too much fuel right now?

katch26 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-10-2010, 05:44 AM

what are your jetting specs at right now?

Ryan · #9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katch26

what are your jetting specs at right now?

Stock right now. Im hoping the jet kit will help me tune it a bit

katch26 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 03:05 PM

closed air box stock pipe? stock is a 150 so maybe try a turn on the a/f screw or a clip on the needle......does it bog when you punch it or roll onto the throttle or both