2001 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO Starting Issue

[jdwhite07]

I have a 2001 Sportsman 500 HO, and every time I let it sit for a week or two it is impossible to start. I spray gas into the air filter and it fires right up but then quits. Anyone have any ideas??

[Ajmboy]

Is it fuel injected? Either way, sounds like a fuel starvation issue at cold start.

* Added year, manufacturer and issue into thread title.

[GEARHEAD01]

if it doesn't make any difference when you choke it i would rebuild the carb. but before that i would change your spark plug.

[jdwhite07]

It is not fuel injected, and if it is the sparkplug why would it start when I spray fuel into the air box?

[GEARHEAD01]

because starting fluid is alot more flammable than gas. Hence the reason it was designed for doing cold starts on deisel engines in -40 c weather. also if you are using it to try and start it frequently or more than a couple of times it will foul the plug. starting fluid is not good for gas engines. i have seen with my own eyes a guy that blew the head apart from using to much fluid. also remember that you can still have spark on a plug and it could be week enough not to do anything. i have run ito that issue many times being a automotive mechanic. another question is does your gauge cluster turn on and work fully. if the cluster is going it will cause the same issue. i just put one on my dads 2001 500 ho for the same kind of issue.

[jdwhite07]

I will try the spark plug and get back to you, what do you mean by the gauge cluster?

[GEARHEAD01]

it is the guage in the ant head or headlight pod assembly.

[Tinkerman]

Idle jet would be my guess... I use one strain of a piece of piano wire to clean them out.

Good luck ,

Todd PolarisATVrepair.com

[DirtDemon]

Sticky float maybe. Never hurts to try a new plug, so I would try that first because it is easier. If that doesn't help, take the carb apart and clean it.