That's right, My machine stalled out in water a little deep, but not up to the seat. I heard a BLOOP..BLOOP..BLOOP. Sounded like air bubbles. It was obvious to me I was taking on water. Quad failed to start. So I was submerged for about 10 minutes before I winched myself out. I checked the oil, found nothing obvious, got the quad started, shut off engine to check the oil again and found water/oil emulsified. Towed back to truck. Got home and start looking for the problem. Found breather tube has about 1.5" slice in it at the valve cover end on the bottom. I mentioned this to my Polaris service advisor. I wanted warranty. He called Polaris while I was standing there, they told me this is by design. This slit is to relieve pressure in the event that water gets in there and freezes. This is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I understand water expands if it freezes and all, but how would water just sit in the tube without running into engine. The tube doesn't have trap in it. Maybe they should put a slit in the engine case to prevent the block from cracking if it freezes. I am just saying! This slit is not a problem as long as the engine is running and blow-by from valve cover is forcing air in tube. I think I will go ahead and tape mine up, Thanks anyway.

 

I sealed mine up too as I don't ride it in the winter. Drill out the fitting in the airbox that this hose connects to so there's less restiction in that line, it has a very small hole.....

 

HMMMM, my hole isn't small, it is what I would expect for that size hose!

 

Unless yours is different from mine if you look inside the airbox the hole in that that fitting to me is small, I opened it up....

 

this hose goes from the valve cover to the air box and has a silver sleeve over it for heat protection my 05 800 had slice in it and the dealer gave me a new hose said that polaris was replaceing one that were found with a cut. was not recall from what I was told.

 

Man! I had to see if mine had a slice in my hose and it did, I also put tape on mine but i have had water up to the tank and never got any water in my oil.

 

i havent looked at my 06 yet to see and i also have had mine to the seat w/ no water in it. why would drill out the breather hose? im guessing this is just a vent to prevent pressure build up. like i said i havent looked at it.

 

replaced the hoses on both my 800"s...

 

i doubt polaris will warrenty it unless they're in a jolly good mood. it states in the owners manual that your not "supposed" to drive it in water past the floor boards.

 

Spyder6, I didn't figure that they were going to warranty! If I never asked, I would not know to tape it up! Apperently some here agree that this slit is not such a good idea! I was at a different dealer today and he was also aware of the slit. He also said that the 500's oil tank, has some kind of slice in it also for the same reason! Wierd!