wife was riding her 98 400 sport this weekend and it just died, she said it sounded like it just ran out of gas. I checked the fuel filter, had gas....plug was good...gas in the carb...the only problem found was that the air filter stand had broke and the airfilter wasn't on tight. I was pullstarting it and it would almost sound like it wanted to backfire but for the most part didn't even act like it was going to start and it always starts on the first pull. anyone have any suggestions? ( oh yea and I checked fire to the plug and it was good) I'm at a loss.

Thanks for any help!

 

No clue but someone put up three new posts for the same thing so I figured it was only fair to reply just to get you back to the top of the list before you get lost in the shuffle. I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose but ........

 

I appreciate it, thanks

 

possibly a little engine failure? maybe some junk got in one of the jets in the carb

 

Check the carb and gas tank breather lines for cloggs.
If your gas cap hisses when you loosen it shortly after this problem then thats it.

Jim

 

Bearaf....you may be showing spark but that does'nt mean the spark plug is good. Did she say it was losing performance or not responding/backfiring like it was running out of gas before it happened.
Change out that plug, I know you said plug was good, and check those breather lines like JImmypsp700 suggested.

 

the problem might came from lean conditions cauze of the loosened air filter to force more air into the carb for leaner mixture,,,
make a compression check or just split the case and jug,you just might need only a good boring and new piston.

 

Thanks everyone. I put in a new plug and it started right up but was very weak. I didn't want to break it down to the carb because I'm not real mechanicaly inclined but I managed and pulled the main jet ( I guess) and blew it out with an air hose and there was some gunk in the hose for the dial-a-jet. Just got itput back together and it's running strong. I just need toget theframe to hold the air filter and it'll be good to go.

Thanks for everyone's input, and for once I got something apart and back together without having to ask ton's more questions!

 

same thing just happened to my 400 sportsman. Had to be towed back to the trailer. It's in the local Polaris shop now and the first thing the mechanic asked me was did i check my spark plug wire?

apparently there was a problem at the factory and nobody told the person who was installing the tank to pull the spark plug wire out of the way. we went out to look and sure enough, my plug wire was pinched between the tank and a small aluminum block. after running for a while the wire gets pinched more and more and finally starts sparking to the block instead of the plug.

maybe when you checked your plug you pulled the wire out of the bind and maybe it's still broke inside resulting in a weak spark?

the wire should run outside of any obstructions. mines an '04 model and they are replacing the wire no charge.

 

GOOD POINT Lost Thumder........I forgot about the wire itself.....Gotta do all the simple stuff cause thats what it usually is when stuff just stops.
WELCOME TO THE FORUMS Bonus Points for that 1st post........LMAO