I changed to K&N, and the plug still comes out dark brown to black. Explain that one to me. Polaris probably jets their machines slightly on the rich side to help prevent overheating. That means that there could be some room for play in changing to a more free-flowing filter. It's like Greg said, check the plug. Otherwise, how do you know when it's jetted right??????????????

 

The main reason for buying a K&N is that it is a lifetime filter. The power gain is minimal. You can wash it out with hot soapy water(re-oil) and use it time and time again. The Factory Polaris filter, once it gets wet, it is toast. We have four SP's here in my garage, all have had K&N's since new, never re-jetted any of them and have NEVER had any problems with over-heating.And it is HOT where I live. (One '98 has 6500 miles on it, others have 2000-3000. 90% ridden in the mud too)The problem is not the Air filter. If that bike has EVER gotten "melting" hot caused from the radiator being plugged or ran low on anti-freeze,sticky thermostat,etc; and now you have bubbles at the top of thr radiator then your head gasket is MOST LIKELY leaking. Hard to be sure without seeing the wheeler run. good luck Polcat

 

Walexa,
You should be ashamed sinking that new SP500. Go snorkel that thing. I snorkeled mine the first day. I used black PVC and ran the belt housing intake and exhaust and the motor intake to the front rack. Then I used threaded fittings so I could lay the snorkels down on trails and raise them in water. I also ran my transmission breather line into my air box and the hose from my radiator into the air box. The Carb breather line has to be ran into the headlight pond. It cannot go into the airbox because it supplies atmospheric pressure to the bowl. If you run it into the air box it forms a vacume and the bike won't rev up good. Once again, shame!

I see you are from west Monroe. I met the Wolf Pack. They are a wild bunch from your town. They got drunk and a group of them went skinny dipping at Fun Wheelr Park. The girls had two **** each. Ha! Do you know these people. If not you should try to hook up with them and come to Fun Wheeler. They come to all the big rides.

Greg

 

It's official it is the radiator. I spent hours washing it out. After I pulled it out it was using about 1/3 of its cooling capacity.So lesson learned if your Polaris is overheating radiator.

 

Small world, Greg!!!

Mike Hutson, one of the head honchos of the Wolf Pack, is an uncle to a girl I know from church. I've never ridden with them, but I only live a couple miles from Mike. This girl's stepdad has an old bike of Mike's. On the rear mud flaps, the left one has HOOF painted on it, and the right rear one has ARTED painted on it. Mike and his son are into trim and paint detailing automobiles. I am thinking about hooking up with them sometime. Is that place you saw them at in Longview, TX? I hear that they go there a lot and want me to go with them.

I guess I could snorkel the bike, but I don't personally like the way the snorkels look. I like my bike to look factory. It is just my preference. I didn't think the hole I ran off into was that deep, as I'm always very careful when it comes to water and my $6,000 toy. It was a swamp that looked to be about 1-2 feet everywhere, but boy was I wrong. The only thing sticking out at all was the rear half of the bike. The headlight pod, gas tank, handle bars, etc. were completely under. All I had to do to get her running again was drain the airbox, remove the spark plug and blow that water out, and drain the carb. I took off the air filter initially to let it breath freer while starting, but replaced it right after it cranked.

 

I'm Glad it wasn't something more major. I bet your radiator was stopped up really bad? Polcat

 

well glad to here that sparke but do keep an eye on the coolent you may not be out of the woods yet. There could be damage that is not seen yet WARPED HEAD. hopefully not Oh also take and rewash that rad real good like i said then take silicone spray and soak that bugger real good mud wont stick as bad this way works real good LAtter Jaime

 

Sparke...
This is just an F.Y.I. for future reference...
If you are having an overheat problem.. a way to help rule out mud in the radiator (that you can't see from the front)
Place a droplight or flashlight up behind the fan, then look from infront of the machine. If you see very little light or no light at all... its packed full...
I had to remove the guards and put the water hose directly on the cooling fins/tubes to blast out some good old EAST TEXAS CEMENT!!..
Greg, have you seen the Sabine River around Larry's place this week...?.. I could launch a freakin pontoon boat in the parking area out there... Gonna make for some good riding when the water receeds..

 

A question for you SP owners regarding cooling. Does your cooling fan come on when riding at a good speed, say 25 mph? Mine does and it doesn't matter what the outside temperature is either. It runs fine with no problems. I do have a winch mounted in front of the radiator and it blocks approx 1/3 to 1/2 of the available air but I would have thought that there is still plenty air left to keep things cool without the fan. Any thoughts?
A buddy of mine rides a 400 Kowi Prairie and he can run forever without his cooling fan as long as his speed is over 10 mph.

 

Yeah, Mine comes on after steady running too. The fan is just an extra cooling compontent. It will sometimes come on when you'd think it wouldn't. Just make sure your radiator is clean, and that you're not losing any coolant, and you should "be cool". good luck Polcat