i bought a 98 polairs sportsman 500 from my cousin it was always maintained what not, i drove it for a couple of weeks, then while on trails the other day i went to cross a dried up creek and it started sputtering and if you rev it too high it will die. it will start up no problem and sit there and idle just fine but if you give it gas it sputters and dies. can someone help me?

 

check to see if the throttle has 1/8" play where its not hitting the throtle override. check to see if the fuel is bad w/ water/dirt maybe fuel filter needs replacing and now carb needs cleaning. just a few things to check.

 

ok thank you, but can you tell me how to check these things? i forgot to mention it will have a clank when you rev it too then sputter and die if that makes a difference it sounds electrical to me

 

Clean and re-oil your air filter and also check to make sure your air vent for the gas tank is not clogged up or has a crimp in it.
Pull your sparkplug and wire brush it and re-gap it and reinstall it or put a new one in.
Put some 'Seafoam' in your gas or put some carb cleaner, dry gas, Marvel Mystery Oil in your gas - some 'Stabil' won't hurt either.

The following is what can cause the problem that you have - not that every single thing is applicable but one or more could be.

Since you have been riding it I would have to say that it is gas related - dirty air filter or dirt in the carb or both....

Problem: Engine stalls easily
Condition Remedy
1. Spark plug fouled 1. Clean plug
2. Magneto defective 2. Replace magneto
3. CDI unit defective 3. Replace CDI unit
4. Carburetor jets obstructed 4. Clean jets
5. Valve clearance out of adjustment 5. Adjust clearance

Problem: Engine runs poorly at high speed
Condition Remedy
1. High RPM "cut out" against RPM limiter 1. Shift into higher gear - decrease speed
2. Valve springs weak 2. Replace springs
3. Valve timing out of adjustment 3. Adjust timing
4. Cams - rocker arms worn 4. Replace cams - arms
5. Spark plug gap too narrow 5. Adjust gap
6. Ignition coil defective 6. Replace ignition oil
7. Float level too low 7. Adjust float height
8. Air cleaner element obstructed 8. Clean element
9. Fuel hose obstructed 9. Clean - prime hose

Problem: Medium or high speed impaired
Condition Remedy
1. High RPM "cut out" against RPM limiter 1. Shift into higher gear - decrease RPM speed
2. Main jet obstructed 2. Clean main jet
3. Needle jet obstructed 3. Clean needle jet
4. Throttle vacuum piston not operating properly 4. Check piston operation
5. Filter obstructed 5. Clean filter
6. Float height incorrect 6. Adjust float height
7. Starter valve not fully closed 7. Adjust valve

 

i had the same problem with my 99 500 it turned out to be the air intake was obstructed because the foam insert pushed up and was over the intake. pull your seat off and feel up under the cover youll feel the foam pull it down so it sits below the cover then see if she runs better

 

ok and also if i hold in the override switch it helps till about mid throttle then sputters and dies if that means anything

 

Problem: Engine stalls easily
Condition Remedy
1. Spark plug fouled 1. Clean plug
2. Magneto defective 2. Replace magneto
3. CDI unit defective 3. Replace CDI unit
4. Carburetor jets obstructed 4. Clean jets
5. Valve clearance out of adjustment 5. Adjust clearance

that would most lilkely be what i am but i dont know how to do most of that stuff. and if it means anything it runs a little better with the override, but still not good enough to drive anywhere

 

I would start with a good cleaning of the carb, air filter etc and put a new plug in. Check the air vent for your gas tank to make sure it is not bent or obstructed with dirt or something. These are relatively simple to do.

Take the carb off and remove the plastic parts (float etc) and boil the carb. If you don't want to do that then soak it in some carb cleaner and blow it out with compressed air. If you don't have compressed air then get a spray can of compressed air at Radio Shack or get a spray can of carb cleaner and start spraying every little hole and crevace.

Clean your air filter with K1 or diesel fuel and then wash it in hot water with dish washing detergent (one that will cut grease) and then let it dry and re-oil it.