Hi. I am new to the Polaris ATV ownership and recently bought a 2002 Sportsman 500 HO. I took it in to a shop who did servicing for ATV's and had the service everything and check over the machine. They found that the CV joint on the front right was bad and needed replacing. I told them go ahead.

After getting the machine back, before I could even ride it further than 1 mile, I noticed that the same issue was happening now on the left. I took it this time to a Polaris dealership and had them look over it. They inspected everything and told me that everything done by the other people, except for the new sparkplug, was done incorrectly and would be damaging to the ATV. They said that the front bearings had been filled with grease when it should be a different type of lubricant, the engine oil was 5w30 and should be 0w80, and the gear oil was something much too heavy for this machine. They said I'd get about 6 months down the road and find myself needing a new engine and front end parts because all the greases used would be burned up and, basically, ruining my ATV. I had them go ahead and flush all the fluids and grease out that was put in by the first guy and start fresh.

I have heard that Polaris atv's are sensitive to what is used in their engines, but since I am a new Polaris owner, I am looking for some guidence as to which mechanic is correct. I have settled one of the debts already and am trying to decide if I want to settle the other in full or part.

If anyone has any information on this issue, I would greatly appreciate it. I am basically trying to find out if the things the first guy did are truly damaging or if it really wouldn't matter.

 

Welcome to the forum athenshome. You really do need the right type of fluids and lubricants, either Polaris brand or the equivalent. Were these Polaris dealers or just some generic grease monkeys? If they were dealers and put the wrong stuff in they should have made it right at no cost to you.

 

Im real curious on this on, How do they know its 5w30 ?

 

How did they determine the oil??? 0w40 is what is run in the sportsman. The new PS-4 is actually a 5w40. You can use ut as well. Get a owners manual. Polaris isn't so much sensitive with there fluids. They just require certain fluids in certain cases. It seems like the average jo thinks grease in the front hubs like a car or truck wheel bearing setup is normal. It ain't. There are moving parts and have to be clean and slick. Grease won't work and your awd may not even work. A Polaris dealer that cares about there product should be able to answer all your questions and lead you in the right direction on your new purchase. 2002 is a great year for the sportsman. You should get great service as long as it has been taken care of by the first owner and you take care of it and keep it serviced and clean.

 

The engine takes PS-4 Plus which is 2W50.
The hubs take Polaris demand drive fluid or LT fluid.You can also use ATF type F tranny fluid.
The tranny/rearend takes Polaris AGL.
This is all pretty easy stuff so I would buy yourself a manual and do your own maintenance.

 

you have to run full synethic oil in the sportsmans and 0-40 is what came in it but you most likely could get by w/ the 5-30 if its full snyt. the front end is another story and has to have the proper lube in it or the hillard clutch wont work correctly for sure. imo.

 

ps-4 is 5w40

 

PS-4 oil was made for outlaw 500 and predator and cannot be used in a sportsman because it was designed for a manual gearbox.PS-4 is not made anymore because all engine oils were replaced with PS-4 Plus which is 2W50.My X2 and my outlaw both call for it in the manual.

 

Yea- the green label. Took the place of the 2871281. I thought the bottle said it was 5w40. Oh well. As long as it works.