Hi everyone,
I've got a 2004 ATP 500 that I bought new. It now has 450 miles/101 hours and I think the engine is shot. I have done the regular scheduled oil changes on using the Polaris oil change kit.

While I was snowplowing, it devoped what sounded like a rod knock. The engine lost power, made a high pitch schreech sound and then quit. The starter can barely turn it over, and it's really hard to do it with the rope pull as well. When I do turn it over, the cranking sound from the engine does not sound normal.

This machine is nearly in perfect shape, never been off road.

The stealership wants too much money to rebuild it so I'm just looking at my options.

1. Try and get a used engine. (I'm not sure what the interchange is or how hard it is to swap out)

2. Trade it in.

3. Sel it "as is not running".

Thanks in advance.

 

I would find out what is wrong with it before i even thought of any repairs, selling, etc.
Also while plowing snow, there is a possibility that the belt frayed and hit the clutch cover(knock maybe) and then get bound up in the clutches causing the screech? It might be a long shot but worth checking into.

My thoughts
1. Used motor-could be hard to find, and may still cost a lot to buy.
2. Trade it- you aren't going to get much for it since it's not running.
3. Selling as is- you won't get much cause it's not running either.

 

I pulled the 9 bolts on the plastic belt cover and peeked in there. The belt is intact and it all looks fine to the naked eye.

I'm wondering if I should pull the whole cover off if it would reveal anything.

 

I would doubt it will reveal anything more, but why not try it.

Doesn't sound good IMO.

 

If you have a good Polaris dealer to bring it to I would have them diagnose it. Then let us know. Never heard of a 500 dying before.

What state are you from. I may be interrested in buying it.

~MT[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I'm in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I am convinced the engine has internal damage.

 

i would check one more thing(another long shot) Pull the clutch cover off all the way and look behind the drive clutch and see if the inner clutch cover seal is not bound up between the clutch and the motor.

 

I think it will be a long shot as well because of the loud rod knock it had before it quit. (Or at least what sounded like a rod knock) It was pretty loud even at idle.



I will look in to it more on Saturday.

 

After further investigation, I don't think it's the clutch.

The starter has a hard time cranking it. I tried it today and it backfired loud through the exhaust. The cranking rythem just does not sound right.

I think it may be a CAMSHAFT FAILURE.