Hey fellas i have a 08 sportsman 800. I recently took it through some pretty tough terrain, meaning mud holes at a atv park. Half way during the ride it started to sputter and go dead. Since then it has been sputtering on and off when i crank it. I have a warranty on it but i was wondering if there were and suggestions on what it might be. I have thought about the possibility of water in the gas tank or my spark plug got wet. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.. Thanks

 

Check to be sure your spark plug wires are on tight to the plugs. My Sportsman 600 ones would tend to fall off the plug once in a while during a hard days ride. Good luck let us know what you find.

 

Put some dielectric grease in the spark plug boots while you have them apart, they get wet inside and cause your problem.

 

It will either be what was mentioned above or it will be the wiring harness for the t-bap sensor going bad. Very common on these machines. Went bad on my 08 800 and my buddies 08 800 touring. His went out at least 4 times, mine went bad only once. Definitely check into that. Dealership can replace that since you said it was under warranty.

 

Thanks for the advice. I am gonna take it apart this weekend and see if i can get to the bottom of it. Oh got something i wanna run by you guys. I called the polaris dealership and they said that they found that gas containing ethanol has been causing them problems. They said that the ethanol is causing the pump and the spark plugs to gunk up. Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

 

Ethanol is not good on rubber parts, I try to run only non ethanol in my toys, getting harder to do .

 

I have been trying to not run ethanol too, but it is getting harder and harder to find around here. The other thing I noticed is that stations around here used to have 93 octane all the time...now most of them are 91 or 92.. I wonder what is up with that.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say the EPA. has somthing to do with the gas and octane levels. Hard to say. It's probably going to get harder and harder to find the higher octanes. Believe me when when I say feel your pain on this issue. My 66 T-bird with a 428 B-block recomends 101 octane minimum. Had to resort to 115 racing fuel and additives just to make it run right. Very exspensive sunday drive! Now it just sits and looks pretty most of the time.

 

I have 07 Sportsman 700 EFI that seem to be having a problem with my right side spark plug wire. I have an issue with my machine acting like it drops a cylinder and then back fires and coughs through the airbox. I changed my plugs from Champion to NGK's but just the other day the same problem occured. Called Polaris and they just want to soak me for Labor rates. If you find something for sure please email me. I will do the same.

 

i have had my 08 up to the seat in water/mud w/out any issus. as long as it has good wires and good contact the water shouldn't be an issue. i also have to run this crap eth. gas now as well and it doesn't seem to bother it as of yet. as mentioned if you do take off the plug caps, it wouldn''t hurt to put dielectric grease in them for extra insurance. imo.