Have a 2002 Sp 700 with about 4000 miles. I have had alot of problems with it over the last 5 years but I have ridden it hard and have bought 2 more sportsmans.
I am in the process of putting new rings and seals in the engine because I was getting collant in the oil. Ended up being the seal behind the water pump.

Now to the problem. Before I started rebuilding the motor I had some problems with the power and top speed.
While riding it down a gravel road at about 60 mph the machine it just killed and rolled to a stop. It was full of fuel and I was able to get it re-started but I had to limp it home. I played around with the air filter and fuel lines and swaped out my buddies carb to make sure that was not the problem. Belt climbs to the top of the primary when in Neutral and Low but wont get to the top going down the road in High.

Anybody have similar problems or ideas.

Could it be a clutch, fuel, compression, electrical problem?

Thanks for the help.

 

the clutches have nothing to do w/ it dieing and coming to a stop. i also dont think low compression would stut it off. either it stopped getting fuel or had a electrical problem. had to tell.

 

The more I think about it it sounds like fuel or electrical, but I was wondering if something in the clutch (drag, etc.) was not allowing it to "ramp up" in high gear?

It tops out at about 40 mph and it sounds like the engine is being rev. limited.

Too bad the 02 didnt have a tach that could be used in a drive range. It only works while in N.

 

stendori, nice pics on your page. Saw your Mudlite XTRs the other day and ordered some for myself. Got the 27" on 14" SS106. They will be sitting at the dealership over the weekend so they can show them off. Cant wait for next week to try them out. I cut some trails over xmas break and wont ride them until the new tires are on.

 

What kind of problems did u have with your 02 700? How many hours is 4000 miles? I have an 03 with 700 miles and no major problems So far. A few minor things.(I only owned it for 4 months though) It's my 1st polaris and I love the ride but am a little skeptical on reliabilty compared to others.

 

I cant remember how many hours are on it, and the spedo is disconected as I am working on the engine. I'm not saying this is a bad machine as I have abused it since the day I bought it. Just trying to get it running good for a backup machine.

Since it was new:

-replaced head gasket
-replaced rear drive sahft u-joints(replaced with greaseable joints)
-new rings because I was in there
-2 CV boots
-2 belts
-carb intake boot
-2 waterpump gaskets (under warranty)
-speedo pickup cable

 

Did you do a compression test on the motor.......If you scored a piston ring ....it will stop the engine also..............Caper..........

 

I didn't do a compression test before I tore it down and re-ringed it. Noticed a little score in one cylinder but had it honed, looked like new when I put it back together. Like I said, ran great up to 40-45 mph in high and 20 mph in low gear.

Thanks for the responses.

 

Was the ring "stuck" in the piston.....I mean no flex to it before you changed them!!!.....

Where that little score was the ring may have stuck there and that cylinder had no compression..Caper..

 

Rings and pistons looked good. Wouldn't have replaced them but I was in that deep anyway. Got it put back together today and running. Starts up good but will wait till next week to ride it and see if rings fixed the problem.

thanks for the help