Bought a 1995 sportsmen 400 4x4 from a guy off craiglist 2 weeks ago, it ran fine when they day i bought it. Now 2 weeks later and first time at deer camp the thing stopped working. It just turns over but wont start. It has spark and i think its getting gas what should i do next?

 

take the spark plug out and see if it is getting a good spark when you crank it ( make sure the plug is grounded good and has a blue colored spark out of direct sunlight ) after that check the compression, if you are sure it is getting the proper fuel at the altitude you are at verses where you bought it

 

I checked the spark plug the other day and it was bad put a new one in and it is working fine. Started it up after installing the new plug and it ran for about 20 sec then died and wouldnt start again. Re checked the plug and its still good. Ill try checking the compression tonight.

 

Checked the compression, got 90 lbs psi..... Not good i take it.... I notice a lot of oil under the head where the exhaust comes out. Im guessing i need to re-build the upper end?????

 

sapper, are you sure the plugs not fouled again... For example, Ive been trying to start mine for 3 days. Im getting fuel and spark but no fire. I replaced the plug with a new one and it fired up just fine. NGK BR8ES. Set the gap to 28 thousands. OH ya the guy at polaris said 90-95 psi compression. If you have been tryin to start it for a while its probably soaked with gas and 2 stroke oil. Mine smoked bad for a mile or 2 before it cleared up. good luck.

 

I bought 5 plugs on my way home last night and i think i used two of them last night but its running now. I guess i need to figure why i have used up 3 plugs in less then a week

 

i would be more apt to look at the sparkplug wire and the boot. 3 brand new plugs in a week is a little excessive.
my first step would be to take the cap off and cut about 1/4" off the wire. then put cap back on. that is usually the first connection to go bad.

 

Check the oil injection, may have bad oil or injecting to much. Had a 400l that I had to bypass the injection and just mix my gas. Ran great after that.