I have a 2005 Polaris Predator 500 that locked up or so I thought. It ended up being the one way clutch. I replaced the one way clutch, fly wheel because the bolts broke off (didn't get into the case) and reinstalled. The atv started for about 10 seconds and died. It would not crank again. It has good blue spark. I thought maybe it was a carb issue but when I spray starting fluid in the back of the carb or in the spark plug hole, it still will not crank. It turns over well but has never cranked since that first time that it ran for about 10 seconds. I did notice that it was leaking fuel from the bottom overflow exit on the carb but since then, it has not. I do know that fuel is unabstructed getting to the carb but when I took it apart to clean it the bowl was dry. I have been told it could be a carb issue but seems weird why it won't crank with starting fluid. At my wits end with it....please help

 

Welcome to the forum! Had a couple Predators come into the shop with similar complaints. Was running then quit. First thing I would do is a compression check,not so much as to check the piston and rings,but to check if the valves are too tight! Both of the ones that came in like this never had the valves adjusted and were too tight!!. This is a shim under bucket type system and unless you have access to shims,best to let a dealer set them. This is the first thing that comes to mind on the Predator. Don't know if this is your problem but look under "intake and exhaust" under your model:Browse
OPT

 

OPT,

I was putting the atv back to together in order to drop it off at the shop. I wanted to try it one more time. I turned the fuel on and it was very difficult to start but it did crank up and run. It does not idle but revs fine except it spits some fire at times. The problem is, I looked down and saw fuel dripping heavily from the bottom of the carb. It is coming out of the tube at the bottom that I guess is like an overflow. It is very strange. It either drips fuel out heavily or does not have any fuel in it. Seems like from my reading that it is pointing to a needle/seat issue. I have read several of your posts and wanted to hear your opinion as it seems to be right on once you have enough background listed about the atv. If it is a needle/seat issue, does this come with a standard rebuild kit? Thanks for you time and expertise OPT!

 

Replace the needle and seat first then and see if it solves your problem. You don't have to order a "kit" just the needle and seat. Polaris #3131575. Try Cycle Parts Warehouse or Ebay for the best price. If it continues to backfire and you are getting fuel then it's possible the valves are too tight. Predators were bad about this. This is a "shim" under bucket valve system and best left to a shop that has access to any needed shims. OPT