I have a 2006 Polaris Outlaw 500, everything is stock on the bike, I just took it out today and the thing was backfiring when I opened it up, and the oil tank was filled to the top, I did the last oil change and I know I only filled it up about half way like the dipstick said, I drained the oil and it looked real clean but very thinned out, is there any way water could have gotten into the system, I ride in the snow and through trails with lots of rivers to cross, I thought maybe water got sucked in through the air box, would that make it backfire?

 

smell the oil to see if has a gas smell? if it has water in it it would backfire while trying to go and skip as well. also if it was running real lean it could backfire. check the plug and check color and see if theres any water droplets on it.

 

Sounds like gas in the oil, can you turn the gas off when not using it? THe needle and aseat get worn and let gas past them and it goes into the crankcase, check your air cleaner also.

 

There was gas getting into the oil tank, I changed the oil and it is running 100% right now, I talked to the guy at the Polaris dealership and he also said try shutting the gas off after riding, If that doesn't work he said I may need new rings, Is that a hard job, would I be better off bringing it to the dealer for that? I have basic mechanical knowledge like changing spark plugs and oil changes

 

Based on your opinion of your own knowledge, I say dealer, dealer, and dealer!
Open your wallet and repeat after me. $$$$

 

i would seriously doubt it would need rings if its an 06 - come on


did you trailer it with the gas turned on?

 

never trailered it, I taken it off my property since about august, and I've rode it about 20 hours since the last time I it sat in the back of my truck and this was the first time it ever had any problems

 

it sounds more like the needle and seat is out of it then it needing new rings

 

how long did you drive your truck around with it in t he back?

 

I go riding at my buddies house about 20 minutes away, so thats about it, 20 minutes to a half hour