I purchased a 99 Sp500 six months ago and have performed all the service required to keep this machine in good order. I started to notice a delay in acceleration and brought it to the local dealer who informed me that I had a worn cam shaft. $525.00 later I still have the delay and are now being told that it has low compression. I must admit that I have no idea what they are telling me and how this relates to the acceleration issue.

For those in the know,
1. Once they repair the compression problem is this the end or should I expect more trouble?
2. Are these problems the result of poor maint from the previous owner, and if so is the air filter the source as the dealer implies?
3. What can I expect from my 500 once it is returned, does it need a break in period?

Please save the buy a honda remarks for another time, see signature.

 

Hey Sp,

I saw that you are suwanee I have some great friends there and we usually come down there at least 2 to 3 times a year.(they are very close to the highway where suwanee package liquor is located thats the only landmark I can remember off hand) Are there any good riding areas down there if so maybe I will bring the quad next time and we can hook up ! Sorry I cant help on your quads problems though. Best of luck.

Triston

 

Worn cams in the vast majority of cases (barring the possibility of metalurgical failure) are caused by contaminated oil. Did the previous owner ever drown out this quad? Did the previous owner change the oil religiously? especially after operating the atv in wet or dusty conditions.

Low compression also sounds like failed oil either by external contaminants or excessive amounts of gasoline in the oil.

Did the previous owner run this machine without an air filter, or use a K&N that was not oiled?

Worn cams and low compression on a Polaris engine are usually the result of NEGLECT regarding oil and air filter changes.

Please explain the "delay" which you are experiencing.

 

The worn cams I have seen were due to either oil failure due to overheating, not changing oil often enough, or dirty/contaminated oil. Any of thest 3 could also cause loss of compression. Failure to service the air cleaner, using a no air cleaner, a torn air cleaner, or not oiling a K&N or Uni filter sure could cause these problems.

 

While I agree on the causes of a worn cam, I have trouble believing the dealer knows what he is doing.

You send the machine in with a power problem. He replaces parts and returns the machine with the same problem. Then he tells you it is low on compression and you have to spend more money. Was the cam indeed worn, or is he guessing and spending your money?

Will it be the end of your troubles? Maybe if he guesses right this time!

Sounds like it is a bit of a crap shoot with this dealer.

Nothing worse than sending something in for repair, it comes back just as broken as it left (but your wallet is a lot lighter). Then YOU have to point out that it is no better than when you gave it to them. Arghhhhhh!

DJ

 

deej,
good job,I like your answer,[SERIOUSLY]
Bill

 

I wish I thought of that when I posted. Yes, the dealer may be taking you for a ride. What SHOULD have happened is this: He calls you, and tells you your machine needs some repairs, and gives you a $ estimate. Then he may call back and say he found more wrong to get the go-ahead to fix it. You should NOT have to take it back repeatedly to fix the same problem. Good call.

 

Skip the dealer if he changes cams for no reason and get a compression tester and sick it in the plug hole and find out for yourself before he does a bore job for the h#ll of it.People put thousand of miles on these Fugi engines with no proplems it may be something eles.