We have a Polaris 250 that will not start most of the time. Once we do get it started, it runs fine, but if you shut it off you have to try for a few days to get it started, we have checked everything we can think of, seems to be flooding it's self out and we dont know why, checked the carb,floats,sparkplug,evertthing is intact, just will not start. Electric start does not work. Any ideas? We really want to get this fixed.

 

Check compression, needle and seat for wear,also float arm, could be that crankcase filling up with gas? Is plug wet? air Filter clean?

 

Air filter is clean, yeah the plug is wet, gonna check the rest tmrw. This common problem? Thanks for the fast reply, any other ideas for me?

 

Also if older quad,crank seals could be distorted from gas,loosing bottom end compression(has to have top and bottom) for fuel/oil/air to atomize properly. MOST common problem is needle and seat wear causing too much fuel. Check inside float needle seat for egg shape or very loose needle fit/worn rubber tip. Remember all this for naught if compression below 100 psi! Good luck

 

Did the compression test, 75 psi, add oil, it bumps to 80....what do I need to do to fix this?

 

At least a new top end. Make sure rod and bearings ok, that rod has NO up and down movement (side to side play ok) If bottom end suspect complete rebuild necessary.

 

We are going to try to hit the Polaris Dealer next weekend to get stuff to fix it, just want to make sure we are not buying parts we dont need, this thing has been a real pain in the rear! Is this comman for Polaris?

 

2-stroke engines are less tolerant on dirty air filters,maintenance than 4 stroke engines and just by their design alone have less engine life. Especially on 2-stroke dirt bikes and such,maintenance is critical. Newer design 4- strokes are beginning to surpass 2-strokes on reliability and power. Plus if you notice NO 2- strokes left in Polaris lineup except in youth models! Still good engines,but are being phased out. Plus EPA,clean air concerns,could be part of the reason.

 

what is bottom end compression and ow do i check for that?? using a comp tester in the plug hole and getting 85-90psi, 89 trailboss

 

Must have adapter kit that has different sizes of block offs for exhaust and intake boots. The spark plug stays in. The kit I have on the intake blocks have a connector that hooks to a low pressure guage for air to be pumped in from a SMALL pump such as a bicycle pump,ANY high pressure WILL blow seals! SHOULD hold about 6-7 pounds with NO seepage! I use a soapy solution and spray around base gasket,head gasket,crank seals to see if any air loss. 85-90 pounds top end compression TOO low,plus considering age of machine,complete rebuild recommended! If just do top end and rod has play,seals leaking,or lower bearings worn, WILL not last and can damage new piston already installed! BUT a lot of people do just top and can get by with it. You have to decide whether to spend this kind of money on almost 20 year old machine. Good luck