I would appreciate some information on my just purchased 2004 used Polaris Sportsman 400. This quad has 493 miles on it and looks like new. Here's the problem----- The engine starts instantly and runs fine with no noises of any kind when cold. When it warms up for about 10 minutes, I hear a clicking noise that sounds a little like a valve click but also a little like a chain gently bumping inside the engine. It sounds like the noise is coming from the top of the motor. The motor does not seem to have any adverse affects from this noise, but with only 500 miles on it, I wonder what may be going on. I don't have a repair manual yet, so I don't know what is recommended on valve adjustment periods and whether there is any adjustment procedure for the chain. Has anyone else run into this problem on the Sportsman 400? Could you kindly post the procedure for setting the valves on the engine or maybe list the valve clearances? Do you have a gut feeling about what could be causing the noise and whether I should be concerned? Any information you could share would really help me. Thanks!

 

I have the valve adjustment procedure for the 500 HO motor that I could email you. The specs are .006" on the intake and exhaust. I dont know if it is the same for the 400. I am willing to bet it is though

 

I believe you might be hearing cam chain noise. I could swear that is what I was hearing on my 500 Scrammy when I bought it. The noise has quieted some, but I have also gotten used to it. I don't think you will have any adverse affects from it. Also the Sportsman line is well known the have ticks and clicks in the power train that are considered normal.

 

if you want to hear some slaps and ticks you should listen to my pred, every since i got this stage 3 kit it's been 2wice as noisy....polaris does make some noisy quads...LOL [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Big Bad Scrambler,
Your courtesy in replying to my question is really appreciated! I would indeed like to have the procedure for setting the valves emailed to me at Grace553@cs.com. Hopefully, this will solve my problem with clicks in the engine.
To the other gentlemen who took the time to answer my question, THANK YOU!!!

Mike M.
Grace553

 

No prob...that's what we're here for!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I have a 700 EFI sportsman and the ticks and slap sounds/noises I have seemed to go down but as stated I believe you get use to the noises after awhile, I also think polaris quads are noisy in general. Polaris should send out a surveys to new atv owners after a few months about problems/changes they should make or should be concerned with so that they can make changes which in return would boost there sales. all these companies make changes but some of the changes are not always what the rider/owner is looking for.

 

well my sp 500 ho ticks quite a bit when it is warmed up and it is an 04.5 with less miles....

 

Grace, I sent you the email. Let me know if you dont get it.

 

Big Bad Scrambler,
I have received your email detailing how to do the valve adjustments on my "04 Sportsman. Thank you so much for taking your time to help me out! I will be making the adjustments in the next day or so and will let you know how it turns out.
To everyone else who was kind enough to help me, THANK YOU!!! many times.

Grace