I have an 04 sportsman 700 that's running like a bag of crap. It started with the battery going dead. Found the problem here on the forums. Bad wiring connection over LF wheel. When it wasn't charging, it would run really bad and backfire when letting off the throttle, and smelled of raw fuel. Cleaned the connection and now it charges fine, but still running bad. It's charging at 14+ volts. Load tested battery and after 10 seconds it drops to 11 volts, so still Ok. Now it won't idle at all and still backfires after letting off the throttle. Have to choke it about 1/3 to keep it running. After 3700-4000 RPM it runs good. Pulled off the air filter and it will run as long as I manually choke it by holding my hand over the intake tube. Pulled the plugs and they are quite white. It's leaning out. I can't see any visable cracks in the tube between carb and engine, but it must be sucking air somewhere. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Sounds like the carb boot is cracked between the carb and the engine, very common on the 700.....

 

I would inspect the carb boot first because it sounds like that may be the problem. Although don't rule out a completely blocked pilot jet. If the carb boot is not the culprit, take the carburetor apart and inspect the pilot jet.

 

Thanks for the replys guys. I'll take the boot off and check it this weekend when I get to the cottage.
Buck

 

do they have vent tubes on the carbs, clogged vent will do it.

 

That was it. Thanks for all of the help. The boot was cracked from 3 o'clock right down under the carb and up to 9 o'clock. Has Polaris revised this part as it is obviously a common problem? Or do I buy one the exact same one and replace it again a couple of years down the road?

 

I just bought one (carb boot) today and its my second one. I think polaris needs to revise this part. Having to replace it ever couple years at $57.35 in not acceptable.

 

Silicone spray, they dry rot from engine heat....