My son has a '03 Polaris Predator 90. Just recently it started running poorly. I'm not sure if it is bad gas, carb settings or choke problems. The only way it will accelerate above idle speeds is when the choke is on or at least 1/2 on. Even after the bike is warm, if we turn the choke off and give it gas, it will die. I'm not a mechanic by any means but I can get my hands dirty and do basic repairs. Anyone have any ideas how to troubleshoot this problem or do I need to take it to the dealer?

thanks
Meehl4

 

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Could be a variety of different reasons. Try:

- Water in the gas. Dump the gas and try new stuff. Also drain the carb's bowl before adding new gas.
- Change the inline gas filter. To me, it should be changed every year.
- Clean the air filter. Probably doesn't need it but my as well do it for peace of mind.
- Clean the carb. Sounds like dirt in one of the jets.
- Check engine PSI. For the '03 Pred-90, it should have between 85 - 110 PSI. 100 is "average" and 120 is fresh. Anthing under 85 is a struggle to run. Especially when it gets below 65.
- Check the engine seals. The cranks seals could be gone. In my old 2 stroke snowmobile days, if she couldn't idle and could get it to run "normal" in any jet setting, then odds are, its engine seals were gone. 95% of the time, this assumption was right.

To me, it sounds like a dirty carb. Try asking your local small engine shop to clean the carb and give it a quick end/end maintenance check. If you are good with a wrench, you can do the above things as well. What ever works best for you....

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you Spike99. I will definitely give these a shot.

Thanks

 

Did you ever figure out what this problem was?