my 96 sportsman 500 has some power issues....it will idle fine all day long, start perfect, but has no get up and go. I have heard it could be the fuel pump diaphrams are getting stretched and not giving enough pressure. Has anyone else heard of this? wanted to get some feedback before I tore into it. Any other ideas what I might be? thanks

 

Have you checked and cleaned your carb? You also might what to check your fuel filter and air filter.

 

I have been through and cleaned the carb 3 times, fuel filter seemed to pass air through easily when I blew through it. Cleaned air filter, but I am getting a real "throaty" sound in my air box (like is sounds if you run it without the air filter)

 

How many miles on your 500? You could possible have a wore out cam.

 

it does have 4000 miles on it, but I am on my second cam right now. I thought It could be a valve not opening, but im hoping its just a fuel issue.

 

You already wore out one cam? Let me guess Polaris oil?

 

i heard the older ones had soft cams. i would doubt it was the fuel pump. just my opinion.

 

If I remember correctly it was 96 or 97 when they had a batch of bad cams.

 

I have talked with a few mechanincs. they say it sounds like a fuel issue, either a vent on the back of my fuel pump (which is a pain in the a$$ to get to), or my float is possibly bent causing the needle to only partially open. So, I will be tackling that this weekend. If anyone else has any ideas let me know!! thanks!!

 

it alomost would sound if it was a lack of gas issue it would run extremly lean and tend to back fire a litle when you try to push it. just a thought. and also if you open the choke while its loosing power and seems to be better a little then it would be a lack of gas.