I have a 2005 Sportsman 700 EFI. Occasionally as I am driving it it will start sputtering and backfiring. I can turn it off and start it back up and all is normal. I am not getting any engine codes when I do the check. Any suggestions?

Bob

 

I'm sure you've taken the time to eliminate some possibilities. What have you eliminated so far?

 

is there any chance or water in the fuel as well? check to make sure you have good battery voltage at tthe time of issue as low voltage will do it as will bad connections.

 

This has been happening since the middle of winter. It started when I was plowing the driveway, but I thought it was gas or something to do with the cold and gas. HOwever, it has been a few months now and a few tanks later and it still occasionally sputters and backfires. I checked one of the two plugs today and it looks good. This is a stock machine, so no modifications to worry about. I was originally thinking it was the gas, but I have gone through a couple of tanks since it started. Battery is good with normal voltage.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

I would change out the plugs no matter how they look. Check the plug wires and all connections that you can get at.

I would also run a good fuel additive through the system to be sure there are no issues with the gas, and it will clean out the injectors.

I would also change out the fuel filter.
Have you adjusted the throttle cable?

 

I'm going back to where you said it all started when you were plowing your driveway...Were you also running multiple accessories at the same time like heated grips, thumb warmer, 3 light mod???This happened to me last winter when I was plowing also but i was running the heatd grips/ thumb warmer/3 light mod/ winch at the same time......drained the battery and it was spitting and sputtering just like yours.....When you say the battery is at normal charge, what exactly is it? It should be 12.6 volts...


John

 

No, I don't have any accessories like that. It is all stock except for the addition of the plow and winch. Voltage is around 12.6.
Bob

 

I think I may do that. Are there any tricks at getting the left side spark plug out? That one is buried in the bike.

Bob

 

your bike is only at 12.6 volts when running or when its sitting there off? you want to have it on the voltage check and have it reved up to around 3,000 rpms and then see what your putting out for juice. it should be pushing to close to 14 volts.