Quad issues

[nathan.luthman]

I have been having issues with my four wheeler. It is an 03 Polaris Sportsman 500HO. the last 10 or so times ive had it out i cant get it to start with the key which isnt a big deal to me but the dang thing wont stay running at an idle without the choke. Im sure that it is a carb issue as i have cleaned the air filter with no affect on the issue. If i am actually driving around i need to have the choke off or it will flood itself out.
My real question is the carb hard to clean on these or should i just give my mechanic a call and him look at it. And ia there an alternator on the four wheeler or some kind of charging system.
Thanks in advance.

 

[jagermeister]

Definitely sounds like a fuel issue, not an air issue. Either the carb or fuel pump if it's EFI. Carburetors aren't hard to tinker with... Just put stuff back together how you took it apart. Some ATVs and UTVs have modules that control the fuel pumps... Sometimes these go bad and give you fuel supply issues. Might be worth googling.

 

[Beentown]

Valves. When was the last time the valves were adjusted?

 

[Iowa_Buckeye]

I have an 01 500HO.
First question is are you sure you don't just need to adjust the idle screw in to keep it running at idle (I'm sure that would be too easy...).
Other than that it could be the fuel filter or a carb issue.
I had a leaky carb last summer (would drip out of the weep hole on the bottom when running) and ended up getting a carb kit and doing a rebuild. I found a real nice step-by-step picture tutorial on one of the quad forums that guides you through it. Took a few hours and I had no issues (just don't strip the brass screw heads). Can't remember where I got the kit from, but it was real inexpensive (less than $30 I think) and contained everything you need. New jets, needle valves, etc. Don't go OEM as Polaris will rape you.

 

[Iowa_Buckeye]

And what is your 'key start' issue?

 

[hickslawns]

Seems odd. Generally when a jet is plugged up it will ONLY run with choke on. I wonder if there is crud in the float bowl not allowing the float to work right? That would be a real easy fix.

Unless. . . Your key issue is an electrical issue. If there is an electric fuel pump only working partially or maybe dumping too much fuel? Have you gone thru all the basics? Cleaned or replaced spark plugs? Might think it is flooding out but actually have weak spark not allowing fuel to be burnt all the way? Just throwing ideas out there. NOT saying this is the issue. Just thinking simple/basics first.

 

[xbowguy]

There is a youtube video of that exact model. If you have the time it should save you probably 80+ dollars.

 

["J"]

Pick up a spray can of sea foam at your local parts store of Walmart... Pull the air filter start the motor and get it up to operating temps and raise the RPM's to about 2K and spray the shit outta that carb.... Run about half a can threw it and them start lowering the RPMs until you stahl it with the spray.... Let it sit for 10-15 minutes then start it back up and run the shit outta it for 10-15 minutes riding it.... Does t cost much too do and has a decent success rate....

 

[nathan.luthman]

The key start is more the result of a dead battery but what troubles me is that the battery wont recharge as im driving it so may be some sort of electronic issue. As for the carb i have a guy at work who deals with them a hell of a lot more than i do so i will have him clean/rebuild it. Hopefully soon so i can use it to cut wood again.

 

[Bigslam51]

The key start is more the result of a dead battery but what troubles me is that the battery wont recharge as im driving it so may be some sort of electronic issue. As for the carb i have a guy at work who deals with them a hell of a lot more than i do so i will have him clean/rebuild it. Hopefully soon so i can use it to cut wood again.

Sounds like you need a new battery

 

[cspot]

The key start is more the result of a dead battery but what troubles me is that the battery wont recharge as im driving it so may be some sort of electronic issue. As for the carb i have a guy at work who deals with them a hell of a lot more than i do so i will have him clean/rebuild it. Hopefully soon so i can use it to cut wood again.

If the battery is dead and freezes then your battery is toast in most cases I have never had great luck getting alot of life out of those small batteries.

 

[xbowguy]

Did you test the battery to see if it's good?

 

[nathan.luthman]

Yes i did. I tests at 12.7v which i know is a little bit low but still servicable.

 

[giles]

It could have a dead cell, have you load tested it?

 

["J"]

It could have a dead cell, have you load tested it?

Dead cell won't give 12.7v....

 

[hickslawns]

Dad always taught me to keep it simple. Don't go looking for problems which aren't there until you have ruled out the simple stuff. That said, we never owned anything Polaris except 2 jet skis the wife and I had 15-20yrs ago. They were turds. Hope that isn't your issue.

Onto the simple stuff: How did your battery cable ends look? Good connections? No corrosion? Tight on both ends? All your fuses good? Let's not start assuming battery is junk or alternator is junk (although it sounds like the battery might be served well to top off the fluids and trickle charge it.) It doesn't take too long to rule out the simple stuff. It is a good "mechanic 101" refresher to check the simple stuff first anyway.

 

[giles]

Dead cell won't give 12.7v....

But an unstable one will still give volts until under load. Then it will go all crazy...the amps is what really shows. Which is why it needs load tested before replaced. If all is good, problem is someplace else.