[hyundaitech09]

I have a 08 sportsman 500, I have recently cleaned the fuel tank, fuel block, and carburetor. Was riding it today it ran perfect for about 30 to 45 mins. That's when trouble set in, now it will start and idle but won't take any fuel just bogs down and dies when trying to accelerate. I bypassed the fuel block to see if something in it was causing it and still does the same thing. This is my second polaris and so far I'm wishing I would have stayed with yamaha. My other sportsman won't fire and it's got a new stator, plug, and wire... but I'm more concerned about the 08 500 bc it's in at least idling state.. any help about what to check or fix will be greatly appreciated before I decide to trade it in.

 

[stave7119]

My initial thought is that something is floating around in the fuel system and has plugged up a passage in the carb. From your description, probably main jet. Possible that something came loose when you cleaned things up. I would start by taking the carb off and making sure all the passages and jets are completely open. Also make sure the vents are open.

And just for the record, this could happen with a Yamaha too. Harder to figure out with a machine you don't have as much experience with though.

 

[Old509cc]

Sounds like too much fuel? Checking the plug will confirm this. What was the condition of the carb? Float needle, etc. Is there fuel coming out the overflow/drain nipple at the bowl of the carb?

They will bog if there is any leak in the airbox lid, or a blocked snorkel or even a wet filter I would imagine.

Check your ETC switch in the throttle housing on the other one, adjust cable if the terminals are contacting.

 

[fhedrickjr]

I had a similar problem with an 07 Sportsman 450. I puled the carb off of a 400 Sportsman, put it on the 450 and it ran very well. I bought a complete carb kit for the 450 and took a day and flushed and put new jets, needle valves, etc, all the parts that came in the kit. Fired it up and never looked back! Could happen to any machine. My biggest problem was ethanol fuel!!

 

[hyundaitech09]

Ok, what is the etc for? And the fuel block mounted on the left side of the frame?
My yamaha ran nothing but ethanol for years and never had any problems, I could let it sit for the winter months and it would crank right up in spring. Can't get but 30 mins out this polaris

 

[fhedrickjr]

Ok, what is the etc for? And the fuel block mounted on the left side of the frame?
My yamaha ran nothing but ethanol for years and never had any problems, I could let it sit for the winter months and it would crank right up in spring. Can't get but 30 mins out this polaris

etc, all the parts that came in the kit.
Also, changed out the inline fuel filter. By fuel block, are you talking about the fuel pump, or the petcock?

It wouldn't go 500', especially if you hammered it.
I found a gummy residue that would only (we thought) be attributed to ethanol. Also, is a major topic of discussion in a thread elsewhere on this forum.
Hope it works out for you! I would say first, if you have the chance, try a known working carb on your machine. It worked great in helping me figure out that it WAS my carb.

 

[hyundaitech09]

I meant ETC switch from what old509cc said, what is it and what does it do?

 

[stave7119]

ETC is the Electronic Throttle Control or something like that. Electric switch in the top of the throttle housing on the right handlebar. It's purpose is to kill the engine in the event of a throttle cable failure.

You can pry the plastic cover off with a flat screwdriver. Inside you will see a couple contacts with wires. With no throttle applied, there should be clearance between the contacts that lets the engine run. Adjustment is made with the rubber sleeved adjuster on the throttle cable just off the housing. Get some clearance there...about 1/16"... and make sure there is free play in the throttle lever....Then probably have to adjust the idle speed at the carb to bring it back to where it belongs.

As far as I know, all the manufacturers recommend non ethanol fuel for their machines. Harder to find some places than others. Everything I have found, even in the places that know we want it for our machines, is a higher octane fuel. More than the engine needs as far as octane rating.

 

[SunShine01]

If it's not some sort of electrical part or fuel pump, my guess would be ethanol gas damage over a period of time.

Rebuild the carb and use rec gas ( non ethanol) and use an additive like Sea Foam.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hyundaitech09]

Ok guys, thanks for the input, gonna see what I can do today with it and see if I can't get it going

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

 

[hyundaitech09]

So what would happen if I bypassed the fuel pump? Since it's carberuated?

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

 

[robk]

You can almost bet it's the carb. If it idles smooth but dies when you give it throttle, the secondary jet in the carb is plugged. I had a Honda that I cleaned the carb several times before the problem was solved. I finally boiled the disassembled carb (metal parts only) in lemon juice. It doesn't take much to plug up those small carbs.

 

[SunShine01]

You can almost bet it's the carb. If it idles smooth but dies when you give it throttle, the secondary jet in the carb is plugged. I had a Honda that I cleaned the carb several times before the problem was solved. I finally boiled the disassembled carb (metal parts only) in lemon juice. It doesn't take much to plug up those small carbs.

And ethanol is a killer !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hyundaitech09]

I know about ethanol, but my yamaha never gave me this much problems and I use the same gas as I did in it, I'm gonna strip the carb back down and go from there hopefully I can get it worked out

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

 

[SantiMan]

Seafoam is your friend. Had the same issue with my pressure washer. Lottle seafoam straightened it out. There is more ethanol in fuels today vs yesterday when you had the Yamaha.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

[hyundaitech09]

Seafoam is your friend. Had the same issue with my pressure washer. Lottle seafoam straightened it out. There is more ethanol in fuels today vs yesterday when you had the Yamaha.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Naw still 10%, I'm a technician at a dealership here, and we got a fuel test kit for ethanol, and I test the fuel about once a month and it's been 10% for several years now

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

 

[hyundaitech09]

I'm gonna vat the carb and replace the Jets, the fuel lines, change air filter and run marvel mystery oil through it that should straighten it up

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

 

[SantiMan]

Yeah that sbould work nicely. I know the feeling I've had a few Honda motors that just would not die.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

[SunShine01]

I'm an a staunch believer in Seafoam !

Foam the sheeeeeet out of it ! Wally World sells it for under $7 a can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hyundaitech09]

Update, this shitty polaris still isn't working right, recleaned everything fuel related, new plug, and wire, new fuel lines, new filter, no holes in intake boot, cranked right up, backed it out of the shop, before I could put it into gear it sputtered and died. Now the electric start won't even work and I used it to crank it just before backing out of the shop. How much is this thing worth as is I'm tired of polaris and won't ever own another one, it's a 2008 sportsman 500 ho

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk