I have had my predator for quite some time now and havent checked the valves once. I know that it gets hard to start when they need to be done but that hasnt happened yet. Will i know when i need to tighten them or what. Is it hard to stick the feeler gage down. So what will i expect when they start to go or if they are already in need of being done. And how often do i have to just do checks.

 

if the manual doesnt tell you when i would ask a dealer when polaris recormends doing it.

 

Grab a service manual -- that will have all the specs you need.

As valves wear, the clearance will get tight, not loose.

 

yeah hard starting is a sign of valves needing adjusted...i think its reccomend every 50-100 hours..closer to 75 though. depending on how you ride it too. harder you rev it the sooner you need them adjusted.

 

true or false, hitting the rev limitter decreases the amount of time between valve adjustments? i'd think it would... but i'm not sure... hardly ever do anyway, just curious, got a friend w/ a TLE that does all the time in 4th... uses it like a shift light.

also, how difficult is this procedure? can it be done without taking the cams out? or is this something i should have my dealer do?

 

if you've been in the pred motor before and you're good with stuff like that...its not too hard, but i think you have to buy shims and such.

it is true that the harder you run it the more often they need it. lol using it like a shift light probably isnt the best on things.

i had nicholas cycle change my oil, adjust vavles, put in balljoint kit in the front end, adjust chain, clean/oil filter----basically a FULL service job and it cost me about 150. if you could get an extra hand that is familiar with motors it shouldnt be too difficult.

 

I just checked the valves on my 06 500efi and the valves are very easy to check and adjust. The worst part of the job is removing all the plastic and getting access to the valve cover. The manual states that you should check the valves every 100 hours, 1000 miles or yearly whichever comes first. The first thing I would do is get a service manual if you are going to attempt the job. BTW I don't know about the predator, but the intake and exhaust valves on the 500HO should be set to .006.

 

valve clearance on a cold engine should be...

Intake: .006" Exhuast: .010" + / - .0019"

be sure to check it at top-dead center and if you replace any or anything like that re-shimming is required.

there is a really handy chart in the service manual for adjusting and re-shimming..