Hi all,
my engine oil looks like chocolate milk, so I drained it and put in fresh oil took it for a ride, checked it again, it's still milky and now the level is way up on the dipstick. The machine runs fine, no smoke, and no leaks. Any chance it could be water pump seals or is it a head gasket. What is everyone thoughts , Thanks for your time.

 

Head gasket most likely as it would a lot to force coolant from the water pump cavity through the small oil seal. You can do a pressure test on the radiator if you wish to confirm,but if you're getting that much coolant in the oil I'd tear the top end down. Plus do you may smell burn coolant through the exhaust

 

When I take the head apart is there a certain way to take the timing chain off without messing up the timing ?

 

If you're not familiar with this engine you need this.2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Service Manual PDF Download before you mess with anything. The answer to your question is yes,the timing chain has a certain way of going back on.

 

Ok, thank you

 

I have a 2004 sportsman 500 and was wondering if there is a certain way the rings go on the piston. Also what are the torque and sequence specs. For the valve cover on top of the head?

 

I would definitely get the manual OPT suggested, tons of information needed for fixing atv

 

Way I see it if you don't want to spend 5 bucks on a manual,let someone else work on it that has one or knows what they're doing. Guess I'm getting crabby or cranky in my old age. Don't know which one..

 

I just replaced the head gasket and adjusted the valves at .006. Put everything back together idles fine made sure the timing was correct , now when I give it full throttle it cuts out on me. Tried new plug same thing. Any Ideas?

 

Just making sure but has to have the air box and filter installed or it won't run right. Several have done this before. Make sure you're getting fuel to the carb. Pull the fuel line off at the carb and crank the engine over. Should be a steady flow of fuel if the fuel pump is working right. If that's ok then next would be the carb. Could be trash in the jets causing the problem.