Guys, I posted this message several months ago and after reading alot of your threads, I figured I would post it again. I have a 2003 Sportsman 500 HO that I bought used several months ago, it has 750 miles on it and everything works real well. I am in the process of putting epi springs in the front to eliminate sag. The problem is that when I first start the machine it is real quiet however, after it warms up there is a clear and distinct ticking/tapping that is bugging the heck out of me. I don't know if it is a valve adjustment or perhaps the cam chain tensioner. I was hoping that someone could help. The noise is clear and distinct and if it is normal fine, if not any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Superintendent

2003 sportsman 500Ho
Warn winch
factory brush guard and rear bumper

 

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My '03 and early '04 are both noisy all the time. I compared the '03 to a new '06 500 and his was only marginally quieter. Sounds like the engines were not put together well, but I guess it's normal.

RonK

 

Ronk, I appreciate your feedback, perhaps I am making a bigger deal of this than it is! The machine runs great so I will just leave it alone.

Thanks, John

 

At idle they all chatter and tick. Thats a Polaris

 

Thanks for the reply, I am going to just deal with it. I love the machine and yesterday had alot of fun with my nine year old son in the swamp next to my house!

John

 

Its an overhead cam engine, that can make noise. But the noise you are refering to is most likely the counterbalance. It is normal. My scrambler has been doing it for 20,000 + miles and my new sportsman does the same

 

If you are not aware of whether it had a valve adjustment or not, it's just good sense to go ahead and do the maintenance. Loose valves on an OHC engine will make a ticking sound too. Generally, it's most prevalent at idle, but as the engine comes down in rev's you can hear it slowing down with the engine.

 

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate your time.