Polaris Sportsman 500 backfires! How to inspect the camshaft and check for a Lean condition.

[@curto9664]

your the only polaris guy on u-tube. i have to put my 2001 sportsman 400 back together. have a factory clymer manual but sometimes a hands on video is the best. all are exellent videos. the new year and i have to get it done. there is 192 acres on the farm were i live no animals i shouldnt have to walk all of the time. thank you for all of your info i allways watch them. happy new year to you.

[@TitaniummanGarage]

Thanks. Happy New Year to you as well.

[@TitaniummanGarage]

Thanks. Happy New Year to you as well.

[@shawnbuckendahl1968]

I'm going to have to check my 01 Scrammy. Built the engine, using a lot of info I learned here and it does the same thing. 🤔

[@cm5838]

I saw that Chinese recoil assembly. We’ve used a few, other than a crappy rope they seem ok. I’ll have to remember that decompression spring, I still got three more sportsman’s to get through, plus I have to keep my personal ranger maintained. One of my sportsman’s might even get to keep the original carburetor, a bit excited about that, they are usually so deteriorated inside that there is no hope for them.

[@TitaniummanGarage]

I hear ya about the carbs. I'm always happy when the OEM carb works.

[@kbailey2491]

Thanks for all your awesome videos. I just picked up a 98 500, with the common cam problem. Is there an aftermarket cam and rocker you would recommend over others? So many options out there with mixed reviews. Thanks

[@richardsoule278]

Another Excellent video, Thanks ..

[@GaryToland]

Just discovered that I have a worn cam and lifters in one of my 600's while I had it apart for a head gasket and piston rings, I was hoping to have it done this weekend but now I have to order more parts.

[@TitaniummanGarage]

Make sure you check the oil check valve on top of the front of motor. Its a bolt with a spring and ball bearing in it above the oil pump. They like to stick and pump up to much oil pressure causing the lifters and cam to fail.

[@TitaniummanGarage]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIeQYaGfjcSVkJYsi=RaHMGn6AqIy3l_1J

[@GaryToland]

@@TitaniummanGarage will do, thanks. It should have the ball bearings and not the longer dowel type piece. Correct?

[@TitaniummanGarage]

@@GaryToland Oh Sorry, Yes, A dowel pin. and a spring. I added a ball bearing on mine to help it move and bump up oil compression.

[@user-so9le6mz1r]

Mr. Titanium, is this decompression mechanism what causes the ticking sound at idle/low rpm?

[@brn2big]

do u ever sell your old carbs i need one bad if you do ever let me know

[@jejoko]

Thank you. Found a 2000 Sportsman 500 with 200 miles / 50 hours on it. Seems like it sat for a long time. They put a new china carb on it but couldn't get it to run. I was able to get it to idle and run ok at low speeds, but I'm having the bogging problem at higher speed. Put a new china carb in it. Checked the cam and lash. Good. (Didn't check the cam ball) New fuel pump. New Spark plug and it looks light brown when taken out. But still bogging...... But when I spray the air filter with starter fluid when it is bogging at the higher rpm it runs great. So I'm thinking it is starving for fuel. Maybe the high jet in the China carb is too small. Or maybe I have a air leak somewhere that is only a problem at high rpm...... Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I need this bike for work. THANK YOU!!

[@TitaniummanGarage]

Yes.Thats one of the problems with china carbs. the jets are to small. They will work on a unit with no wear, put them on a unit that has issues? you need a bigger Jet.

[@jejoko]

@TitaniummanGarage Yup, that was the problem. I drilled out the high yet with a slightly larger drill bit, and that fixed it.

[@brn2big]

I have an 01 sportsman 500 HO new cam I can get it started Once And it sounds good but then it dies and I can't get it started again for about an hour and then I can turn it over and it backfires and then it will start and the cycle starts again any help

[@TitaniummanGarage]

Is the decompression ball sticking? Try the pull rope. don't pull hard. just slightly till you pass decompression ball. then try to start.

[@brn2big]

@@TitaniummanGarage Yesterday I had it started but today all it will do now is backfire Through the carb and the exhaust and Never start It has a new Polaris cam And lifters I had original set from 2001That was never opened But I am stuck now

[@tomn8tr]

Do you think an 01 Sportsman 500 HO is likely to be affected by the cam issue? If so, is there anything that can be done to prevent the issue? Thanks the another great video!

[@TitaniummanGarage]

Yup. I had a 01 with the cam issue. But in that case the guy was running the carb lean.

[@bwfreel]

I have some wear on the rocker that looks like it is caused by the decompression ball. Will that cause a rich condition? Been fouling spark plugs.

[@TitaniummanGarage]

It won't cause a rich condition. It just doesn't release the exhaust gasses like it should if its warn bad.

[@bwfreel]

@@TitaniummanGarage thanks!