i'm posting this message on behalf of my grandfather who owns a polaris six-wheeler that he bought four years ago. it receives relatively litle and light use - to the back of the wood lot and to the mail box at the end of the drive and back - but it recently underwent some fairly substantial repairs - almost $1000 CDN to REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT! (it was wearing improperly and causing the machine to not run) i'm wondering if this sounds like an unusual mechanical failure for this particular machine, and if anyone else has ever heard of this problem on similar models from polaris (has there been a history of this, and would it be a warranty issue?) any responses would be greatly appreciated.

 

A couple of years ago we had a simular problem with a 425, which I believe would have the same cam. We figured it was a "soft" camshaft and have not have had any more failures. There should be a glut of used cams out there from people installing the HO cam.

 

We have a Ranger 6x6 and the only problem so far has been one broken belt. That was from using high gear when we shouldn't have. They use the same engine as the SP500. We do not baby the machine at all. It is used and thrashed on our 700 acres. It is an awesome utility machine.

 

Only repeating what one engine builder and one cam grinder told me; petroleum-based oil provides better camshaft protection, especially on an OHC engine spending long periods of time between runnings, than synthetic oil. I know, I know, Polaris recommends synthetic oil, and there are lots of different brands of synthetic oils. Again, I'm only repeating what the big dogs said--something about dry starts when the easier-flowing synthetic drains from the cam, etc., etc.

What oil did your grandfather use?

Diogenes

 

Is this a ranger or a 6x6? I dont think the ranger ever used the 425 and the early ones of those did have cam problems from 95 to 97. A lot of slow and short rides also aggravates the problem because of the moisture and fuel buildup in the oil over time. You can also install an oil heater to the external tank and a blanket to retain the heat in the oil between short trips better. A coolant heater is also available for really cold weather.

 

From the age it has to be either a 425 or Big Boss 500 6x6.

 

From what I know about it Charlie seems to be on the right track. In this part of the country most of the ATV dealers are farm implement dealers who sell quads and sleds as a sideline. At least they used to until the quad market started to really take off. I’ve been told for years not to take short cold weather trips on our Polaris machines because there’s a known problem of condensation build-up if you do. The advice has always been to run them long enough to evaporate the condensation, or to change the oil often, and I’ve always accepted that advice as worthwhile. The farmers who buy them typically do just the opposite and the evidence of what happens to their machines is in their shop with ruined camshafts and scuffed pistons.

I’ve recently been told that the ’01 Polaris models include a design change that somehow eliminates or reduces the condensation problem. While I don’t disbelieve the person who told me this I don’t have any hard evidence that this is true either. We keep our two trail machines in an enclosed trailer and use it like a portable garage. There’s a kerosene salamander heater in there so whenever possible I’ll warm them up before I start them. But we recently purchased a new SP 6x6 that will have to live outside under the roof of an open woodshed. I’ll be installing the Polaris oil tank heater and an on-board battery maintainer on this machine to keep it “cozy” in winter.