Hello!

Would any of you guys be kind enough to post a rough step-by-step description about how to change the oil on a 1999 SP500? I'd really appreciate it! Im sure it's not that hard but thought I'd ask.

Also, I found a bunch of oil in my airbox yesterday when I was cleaning the bike. I had rolled it over on its side once...what would have caused oil to collect there?

And you can rinse out a K&N filter with water right?

Thanks in advance!

Bob

 

Look under the quad for the drain plug and remove it. Wait for the oil to drain. Replace plug. Remove oil filter. Put some oil on the o ring on the new filter, and screw on the new filter. Pour new oil in.

I've noticed some oil in my air box too. As long as it is just a small amount, I wouldn't worry about it. Some of it may be attributed to dripping off of the K&N if it was oiled heavily.

The K&N can be rinsed in water, but you need to let it dry and then re-oil it before you re-install it. K&N make a "Recharge Kit" with all of the stuff that you will need to clean and re-oil the filter. Hope this helps.

 

The 500 motor is a “dry sump” design which means most of the oil is contained in the reservoir in the left wheel well. Your Polaris manual does a fair job of describing the oil change procedure. What it doesn’t say much about is the cup or so of oil that’s left in the crankcase if you only drain the reservoir. There’s a plug on the crankcase to drain this last cup but it’s damn near impossible to get at. For that reason, and the fact that it’s not that much oil, most dealers just ignore it during an oil change. I used to go through all the hassle of pulling this plug but have found a better way to get that oil out of there.

Remove the reservoir plug and place a container to catch the oil beneath it. Remove the oil filter and place a container under where it mounts. With the ignition switch OFF pull on the recoil starter rope several times. This cranks the engine without starting it and pumps most of that cup of oil out of the crankcase. It’ll spit oil out of the filter mount and the reservoir drain when you pull the rope. MUCH easier than removing / replacing the drain plug.

If you don’t care about that last cup then don’t bother with it unless you drown your engine and your oil is contaminated with water. Then I’d be sure to do the complete oil change. Many people don’t even know there’s that last little bit in there.

 

floodrunner....that is a good point...me and my didnt realize that there was still bout a cup or so of oil left in the crank when ya pull the main plug.....a friend that has one told us bout it
and yeah i bet the dealerships for sure dont mess with it