Today I was riding my 2000 Magnum 325 4X4 in the driveway (thank god) to put it on the trailer. I felt hot oil on my leg and looked to see oil blowing out of the right side of the engine! I turned the key off quickly. The top oil line above the oil filter had come off. I was (believe it or not) loading it on the trailer to take to the service center (to have something else looked at) when the oil line blew.

I trailered it on to the shop and explained what had happened. There was oil everywhere. Rather than just putting the line back on, the mechanic questioned WHY that would happen. He called POLARIS. They told him there was indeed a problem with some of the clamps/hoses coming loose. There is a service bullitin dated JUNE 99 or 2000 (cant remember the year for sure) addressing this very problem They told him NOT to put the hose back on or run the engine until a newer replacemant could be shipped. POLARIS said when this happens, the hose itself is damaged and SHOULD NOT be reused. They have an improved hose/clamp to replace the original.

POLARIS faxed a service bullitin to the dealership while I was there. It applies to 3 different models!! I did not see which other two are involved. When I go back I will find out and post here.

Riders beware of this problem. You may want to call the service center before it happens to you. I rode til dark in the mountains the night before and all was fine. Sure glad it happened where it did!

Im also VERY glad that the mechanic took the time and interest to call the factory rather than just slip the hose back on!!

 

The other day, when I was changing the oil on my Magnum 325 2x4, I noticed some oil (very little) on the oil return line (from the radiator to the filter assembly). I tightened it, but I'm watching it, every time I go riding.

Pedro Pinheiro

 

I posted a notice on the defective oil fittings and clamps almost 2 weeks ago. Your dealer should have been notified about the problem weeks before that.

 

Chopper,

Thanks for the input. DO you know which other models are effected?? (my friend has a 2000 SP500)

Also, I hear what I feel is ecsessive "whining" when Im riding. You can hear me coming LOL. Seems like it should not be so noticable. The service guy said he would check it out, but it is probably normal. This is my first ATV so Im not sure. The Sportsman 500 doesnt sound anything like this (the whining I mean). What do you think? Any Idea if this is normal or what may be the cause??

Thanks!!

 

Just the Mag 325's had the oil fitting problem. Noise is probably the gear box. When I first changed my gear box oil in my "97" 500 I used a half and half mixture of Lucas oil supplement and Polaris oil. When I changed oil again 2 weeks ago I just used Polaris oil. On vacation I heard a distinctive whine in it. I'm going to go back to the 50-50 mixture and see if it goes away. I have used Lucas oil in my Harley transmissions and it made a big differance in gear box noise.

 

Actually,
That service notice also includes the Trail Boss 325. There have been several in the area that have done that.. two have claimed the engine when it happened.
Any hose that is pushed off the nipple without the clamp being loosened first is worthless. It tears the inner lining (barrier) of the hose.
If you question it, I would take it back to your local dealer and have them go ahead and replace it.