Sportsman 400 overheated, won't start
 

Ok, so here's the scoop. Last fall i bought a four wheeler for training my dog team and I landed a '97 Sportsman 400. Always did great for me. Problem is, it's my first wheeler ever. I don't know much about these things. And I don't have a manual.

So I was riding today, mostly slow bumpy stuff, and my overheat light went on, and then the machine stalled out. I checked my coolant before the ride and it looked good, but it was empty when it died. I let it sit for an hour and it still wouldn't start (I have a fryed battery, so just pull starting it). Another hour later, still wouldn't start. By now I'm sure I've flooded it on top of whatever else is going on with it, so I'm waiting til tomorrow to try anything.

So, by running out of coolant and overheating to the point of killing the engine, could I have caused any damage to the engine? What could be goofed?

Also, where and how do I check the other fluids in the beast and where are they? I think I found the oil 'stick' today. What kinda oil does it take? And also, do I have a fan?

Also, separate issue, my 4 wheel drive is down to 3 wheel drive. I'm clueless on that one.

Thanks for all the help in advance,
~Joe

Sportsman 400 overheated, won't start
 

There's a real good chance that your radiator is caked full of mud and dirt. Have you ever cleaned it out? I would assume probably not. Are you sure your coolant is leaking? It may just be low. The fan is behind your rad. You must let the machine cool down, if it stalls from overheating then thats pretty much a final warning before things can really start to have damage.

Start be cleaning out the rad. and checking the coolant level. Do you have an air compressor that you can clean the rad out with? Try not to use a high powered pressure washer or you could bend the fins on the rad. also go to the polaris website and download the free owners manual or go get one from a dealer.

Sportsman 400 overheated, won't start
 

mine did this years ago...1995/400: my rad was dirty with mud and snow on the outside and old weak antifreeze on the inside...i cleaned in/out with fresh 50/50 antifreeze and it has been great ever since...on thing i notice about my bike is if your in the bumps the overflo cap will let anti freeze leak out ...

not sure what issue you might have that will not let it start back up now that you have let it cool down

good lukc

Sportsman 400 overheated, won't start
 

not sure about your year but on the newer ones you need a certain amount of voltage in the battery for it to start

Sportsman 400 overheated, won't start
 

not that old ..my 04.5 will pull start with no battery and run just fine..

Sportsman 400 overheated, won't start
 

If over heated because of lack of coolant and stalled,could be any thing from seized piston to warped head or cylinder. Must have good battery for fan to operate. Is compression still good,any coolant leak under right side under waterpump area? or is just coolant resevoir bottle empty or is radiator dry?