Is there any way to tell if the fuel pump went bad in a 2001 sportsman 500ho. Maybe a better question is how can I tell that gas is getting to carburator. I drained fuil bowl and nothing was in it, if that helps thanks. It has been sitting for about month without me starting it. Thanks.

 

Just disconnect the fuel line going to the carb,place the end in a cup or plastic container and crank the engine. You should get a pulsing stream of fuel. If not, could be a stopped up fuel filter,vacuum line from the pump to the carb leaking,or can even be a bad fuel valve. Try it in the on and reserve position. If it flows on reserve only (or on only) could be the fuel valve or even the tank fittings which have filters built into them. Also if no fuel is pulsing out it could be just trash and dirt in the fuel pump itself. Look up "fuel pump" and "fuel tank" under your model and will show how the hoses are route.Browse Plus one over looked area itself is deterioration of the rubber hoses themselves on the insides. Ethanol fuel now will just eat em up over a period of years and you can sometimes find little black specs in the carb fuel bowl and can accumulate stopping up fuel filters, carb needle and seats,etc. Plus you might want to check your oil tank for any gas smell or being overfilled. If a needle and seat is leaking,it could empty the carb bowl directly into the engine and contaminated the oil just by sitting up. OPT

 

Great. Thanks for a reply. I already tried removing the hose to the carb and cranking the engine and had no fuel come out of it. I will try to track the problem with your suggestions. Thanks again