My Dad is looking at a 04 Prairie 650 his credit union has up for bid. I just went and looked it over for him and thought I'd bring my findings to some people with experience with these machines.

My main concern is this ever so slight knocking sound coming from the right side right about where the belt drive is. Is this possibly a transmission/belt drive problem, or is it more likely an engine problem? The machine has 1570 miles on it with 240 hours. The sound is only noticable at idle and it seems to go away as soon as you touch the gas.

I still took it for a spin around their parking lot, and man does that thing have some nice power! I really like my Dad's Grizzly 600, but this Prairie will really be better for him if I can assure him it will be as reliable as the Yamaha has been for him. He will probably just add some 27" 589s and be done with mods because it already has a Warn 3.0 installed.

 

Man 240 Hours, 1570 miles, whoever owned it sure rode alot in one year. I'd inspect all the Axle boots & shaft seals, Shake it from sided to side for play in front or rear end/swingarm, look at color and smell of oil & ask what maintenance service has been performed (ie valve adjustment, belt adjustment) & if original belt is still installed). Also Shove down hard on front and rear racks to inspect working of shocks. Visually look at shocks for evidence of leaking or cracked shock mounts. Notice if front brakes are squeeling & ATV stops promply. Also take for a full throttle run to ensure your rims are not bent.

Noise could simply be a loose/tight belt. Always pull plugs, inspect plug/threads & do a compression check on any used Vehicle. Operate the Quad in 4 X 4 mode to ensure it switches in & out and the Locking differential works without your 4 X 4 lights flashing. Let your winch cable all the way out and inspect/retract. If cable is all frayed your quad probably had a rough life & you defianately need to pull the CV cover & further inspect belt & clutch & swing arm bushings.

If Quad has been repossessed try and find out owner and call them for their input or quirks about ATV, any problems they had, and any problems you find on inspection. If You do find problems ask if the credit union is willing to have it fixed or lower price.

Happy trails


TuffEnuff

 

I hate to tell you but its not an '04, they didnt make the 650 in '04.......

 

Thats right....03 was the last year for the 650.The knocking you hear is the bushings in the primary drive.They are worn out.I am litterally in the process of replacing mine as we speak.Alot of people think it's the shoes in the drive but it's the bushing.My 02 has almost 1300 miles on it and this winter it started knocking VERY loud.I suspected what it was and I was right.The outer plate on the primary drive has a bushing in it and mine was way out of spec.The plate would really flop around on the shaft.The plate is about $80.00 and the inner bushing is $8.00.The problem is getting the drive off.You will need a puller ($35.00) and then a way to hold the primary drive when you get it off to seperate it to get the inner bushing out.I just took the drive part to the dealer after I took it off and they cracked it open for me.....for a small charge of course[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] It's not a big deal but if it's that pronounced then it will need attention soon.
02 650 camo

 

Thanks for the in-depth responses!

I went through the usual test ride and bearing checking routines and everything seems to work fine. The front brakes have a noise I would associate with rust on the rotors from sitting outside in the rain and snow like this machine has for at least two weeks. Other than that and the noise from the engine or transmission, everything works like it should.
I think I'll go back tomorrow with a compression tester and see what I come up with. It didn't smoke at all at startup or while I ran the crap out of it across the parking lot and down the alley up to maybe 40 mph.
It looks like it could be a really good deal because there doesn't seem to be much interest in it and high bidder takes it home. They're starting the bids at $2k.

 

Cool, thanks Kodiak for the response and that's what I was hoping to hear. I'd much rather tear into the belt drive than worry about a knocking rod.

It's probably my fault for assuming it was a 04 because my Dad "thought that's what it was," but that's something else I need to verify. Actually, I may run back down there and check it out real quick just to make sure what I'm talking about. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

One other thing.....pull the dipstick and smell the oil....make sure it does not smell like gas.
02 650 camo

 

Gas in the oil? Is there a common problem with these which causes that? The noise really is too soft for a rod knock, IMO. But I will definitely check that out tomorrow before any bids are placed. What if the oil was thinned by gas and ruined some bearings, are these V twins expensive or especially difficult to repair?

I just got back and the spec sheet in the credit union's door says it's a 2004, but the owner's manual in the storage compartment on the Prairie says it's a 2003.

 

Depends really, they do naturally have a slight knocking sound at idle. V-twins are a naturally clunking sounding motor at idle especially compared to single single cyinders etc. I thought the same thing when i bought mine used(500mi.), then I listened to some newer machines, they all have a mild knock at idle, especially when cold. NOw that is a considerable amount of mileage (not bad, you'll get plenty more!) But, definately the clutch maint. mentioned below are great suggestions. If it goes away with rpm, its probably the clutch. If it got louder it would definately be the rod or crank. Plus the knock will be a little louder with a lean condition, the pilot jets could possibly be a little lean.

On other hand, but hopefully not, sounds like this machine could have been repo'd, and possibly abused if so. Just something to keep in mind with the price.

 

The gas in the oil is not a major issue but there have been guys saying theirs has hydrolocked from leaving the gas on.If it's an 03 then it will have the newer choke springs so that should not be an issue.These are just things I would check since you may not know the history of the machine.I personally have not had that problem.
02 650 camo