OK, to describe my problem, I will have to provide some background info.

I haven't been riding in the first half of this year, for different reasons, and when I finally wanted to get started again, the engine wouldn't start because the float in the carb was stuck. So my brother and I cleaned the carb, and it seemed like it was fine. The first time I took it out it seemed fine the first few minutes, but then it suddenly lost all power, and it wouldn't pick up revs. I crawled back to my car and trailer, and when I got home we drained the fuel because it was too old. We also cleaned the carb again.

The first ride after that it seemed fine, but I only rode for a short while. The next time out I had a great ride. I went as far as I normally go, with all the kinds of riding I normally do, and I had no problems. It seemed like my troubles were at an end.

Then about two weeks ago I went out again. After about 1 or 2 miles the engine just died, and it wouldn't start again. Somebody with a 4x4 towed me back to my car. After I'd been at home for a while, I tried it again and it started at the second attempt, picking up revs and everything like nothing was wrong, so I thought it was just a clogged jet or something.

The next weekend - this past one - I started it at home as always and it still seemed as if nothing was wrong. I took it out and everything seemed fine again, but only for about 1 mile this time. Another guy with a 4x4 towed me back to my car. It seemed to me as if it just got warmed up everytime before it died. Could it still be a little of the old fuel or something with the carb, or is it something completely different now?

I checked the spark plug, and I guess I do need a new one, but there still is a spark, and when I crank it at the moment it sounds as if the spark plug isn't even in the engine. Any advice would be much appreciated, because I don't know when I'll be able to get it to the dealer to have him take a look at it.

 

The spark plug can do strange things I think thats where I would go first.I does sound like a fuel problem,but it may be electrical.The fuel petcock could be clogged try cleaning it also but I would only do one thing at a time.That way you can nail down the problem exactly.

 

 

Kinda sounds what happened to me a little bit ago. I was out riding the one day and it just stopped, towed it home and it started again, went out riding again and i was going and it lost power and wouldnt gain any rpms till it finnaly shut off. thought it was the spark plug too, got a new one, didnt help. Took it to the shop, hole in my piston and the rings were shot, I asked the mechanic why it would start again and he said it must of had just enough compression left before it finnaly lost it. Hope this helps.

Cobra - 2000 Trailblazer
HPD Pipe, HPD Clutch Kit, K&N Airfilter

 

That seems like what happened to me about a month ago. But I took it to get it fixed and it turned out it was the air filter. But mine was fileing plugs like crazy it seemed fine then it did it again. You might want to concider checking the air filter.

 

Hey guys (Cobra in particular),

Just a quick question as I contemplate the purchase of a Polaris Quad. I thought is was interesting that Cobra had a hole in his piston and his rings were shot already in a 2000 Blazer. Is this common for Polaris or a fluke? Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Triston

 

Your trouble can be pin pointed to two areas:
1. You own a Polaris quad.
2. Your plug is fouled.

 

The only reason my piston got a hole in it and the rings were shot was when I put my pipe on, we didnt jet the carb right. But other than that I never had any problems with it. It is a good machine, I would recommend it.

Cobra - 2000 Trailblazer
HPD Pipe, HPD Clutch Kit, K&N Airfilter

 

My old Xpress did EXACTLY what you were discribing every 800 to 1000 miles. A new spark plug always cured it. Letting the gas get old just makes it foul out quicker. If it is going to sit for more than a month or so without being run, add a little fuel stabilizer to it & ride around for 5 munutes or so to get it into the carb. It is kind of a hassle, but helps spark plug life considerably.

 

Thanks a lot for your input, guys, although I must say I don't really believe the comment that my trouble can be caused by the fact that I own a Polaris. I haven't had ANY other trouble with it, and although I wouldn't say that I've abused it, I certainly haven't given it as much attention as many other people would consider necessary. I don't know a lot about the mechanics, I just ride it and when I want to go, it must deliver, which it has always done until now! I've always marveled at the easy starting of my quad. It's almost as if you can't let go of the starter button soon enough, even without the choke. Of course, with our climate I hardly ever use the choke anyway.

I actually did manage to take it to the dealer on Saturday, so I'll probably hear from them early this week. I don't know how good their service is yet, because the dealer where I got my quad has closed down, and I had to take it to another one. At least the owner of the place had a lot of time for chatting with me, although they were quite busy, which I think is a good sign. He obviously thinks he's going to sell me a bigger one soon, hehehe! When we went to the back of the shop to leave my quad there, I also noticed that they didn't have a lot of room and I offered to take the quad off the trailer so that I could take my trailer back with me and save them a lot of space in the storeroom, but he said no that would just mean added hassle for me to have to tow the trailer back home. Maybe he guessed that I was going to a nearby mall on my way home!