Polaris has definitely made a name for itself when it comes to producing quality ATVs however, even the best ATVs are known to experience problems overtime. In this article we are going to look at some of the most common Polaris Sportsman 500 problems and how you can easily troubleshoot them.
Table of Contents
What Is Polaris Sportsman 500?
The Polaris Sportsman 500 is an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that has a 4 stroke engine and an independent rear transmission. This ATV also has a continuous variable transmission and a fuel capacity of 15.5L. The Polaris Sportsman is deemed to be reliable and durable.
Common Problems With Polaris Sportsman 500
NB: Polaris Sportsman 500 ATVs are sold without any malfunctioning or defective parts and the problems indicated below are usually influenced by wear and tear or human error.
1. Engine Loses Power When Accelerating
One of the common problems which you will experience with a Polaris Sportsman 500 is that the engine tends to lose power when you are accelerating. This problem is usually caused by any of the following;
- There might not be any fuel in the tank.
- You may have added contaminated fuel into your tank.
- Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) box may be faulty or damaged.
- Fuel vent line may be clogged or damaged.
- Spark plug may be fouled or defective.
- Ignition connections may be loose.
Troubleshooting Engine Loses Power When Accelerating Problem
If you notice that the engine of your Polaris Sportsman 500 is losing power when you are trying to accelerate, you can try any of the following techniques in order to try and resolve the issue;
- Check fuel levels and replenish your fuel if it is low.
- Drain contaminated fuel from your tank and replace it with clean fuel.
- Replace CDI box if it is faulty.
- Clean fuel vent lines if they are clogged.
- Fix or replace a fouled or damaged spark plug.
- Tighten ignition connections if they are loose.
2. Engine Overheats
Another common problem which you may experience with a Polaris Sportsman 500 is the engine may start to overheat. This problem is usually caused by any of the following;
- Debris might be stuck in the screen.
- The radiator may be clogged.
- The fuel line may be clogged.
Troubleshooting Engine Overheats Problem
When you notice that the engine of your Polaris Sportsman 500 is overheating, you can try following any of these techniques in order to try and resolve the problem;
- Remove any debris that may be stuck to the screen before using your ATV.
- Clean radiator fins if they are clogged.
- Clean fuel line if it is clogged.
3. Engine Stalls
- The engine of a Polaris Sportsman 500 can sometimes stall. This is a common problem which is caused by any of the following factors;
- Spark plug may be dirty.
- Spark plug may be damaged.
- Battery may be low.
- You may have added the wrong or contaminated fuel into your tank.
- Engine may not have warmed up enough.
- Fuel filter may be clogged.
Troubleshooting Engine Stalls Problem
If you notice that the engine of your Polaris Sportsman 500 is stalling you can try implementing the following techniques in order to resolve the problem;
- Clean spark plug is it is dirty.
- Replace spark plug if it is damaged.
- Charge the battery if it is low.
- Drain the contaminated or wrong fuel you may have placed into the tank and replace it with clean fuel.
- Allow the engine to run and warm up before using the ATV.
- Clean the fuel filter if it is clogged.
4. Engine Does Not Start
Another common problem which you may experience with a Polaris Sportsman 500 is that the engine may refuse to start. This problem is usually caused by any of the following;
- There might not be any fuel in your tank.
- Fuel may be contaminated.
- Spark plug may be defective.
- Fuel filter may be clogged.
- There might be water or fuel in the crankcase.
Troubleshooting Engine Does Not Start Problem
When you notice that the engine of your Polaris Sportsman 500 is refusing to start you can try using the following techniques in order to resolve the issue;
- Check fuel levels and replenish your fuel if it is low.
- Drain contaminated fuel from your tank and replace it with clean fuel.
- If the spark plug is defective you need to replace it.
- Clean fuel filter if it is clogged.
- If there is water or fuel in your crankcase it is advisable that you take your ATV to a reputable Polaris ATV dealer.
5. Engine Backfires
When you have a Polaris Sportsman 500 it is very common to experience problems with the engine and in most cases it backfires. This problem occurs when any of the following happen;
- Ignition connections may be loose.
- The spark plug gap may be incorrect.
- Spark plug may be defective.
- Ignition timing may be incorrectly set.
Troubleshooting Engine Backfires Problem
When you notice that the engine of your Polaris Sportsman 500 is backfiring you can try the following in order to resolve the issue;
- Tighten ignition connections if they are loose.
- If the spark plug gap is incorrectly set you will need to have it adjusted.
- Replace spark plug if it is defective.
- If the ignition timing is wrongly set you need to take your ATV to a Polaris ATV dealer and have the issue resolved.
Are Polaris Sportsman Reliable?
Yes, Polaris Sportsman are very reliable. They are equipped with strong engines and if you maintain and service them regularly they can last you a lifetime.
Who Makes Polaris Sportsman 500?
Polaris Industries is the company that makes Polaris Sportsman 500. This company is based in the U.S.
Conclusion
The common Polaris Sportsman 500 problems identified in this article may seem overwhelming however, it is important to note that these problems do not happen regularly. Furthermore, these problems can easily be resolved. If you are thinking of purchasing a Polaris Sportsman 500, do not let this article derail you from doing so. This ATV is very durable and reliable so you will definitely be getting value for your money.