I have a 2007 Polaris Predator 500 and having troubles starting it. I just changed the plug and it has a good spark.
I can get it started if I have the choke on and give it tons of gas. It backfires a couple time, but eventually starts. Then after it is warm, it starts right up. But it has a lot of trouble starting when cold.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

Check the fuel screw, on the bottom of carb under brass cap, have to drill small hole in cap, then screw a sheet metal screw into capand pull cap out with vise grips,screw should be 2 to 2.5 turns out, I have seen them completely shut from factory. might also be pilot jet plugged, clean the carb.

 

Sounds complicated putting a screw into the bottom of the carb. Hopefully the carb just needs to be cleaned.
The last place I road was very very dusty.

 

unless your running no air filter it wouldn't get that dirty form just riding w/ out something getting into the tank. imo

 

It was pretty dusty. You had to ride about 40 feet behind someone if you wanted to see anything at all. So you think something maybe have gotten into the take and ended up in the carb?

Do you guys think if I spray carb cleaner into the carb it would be enough to clear it?

Trying to avoid having to remove the carb and clean it, I have never done that before. Sounds complicated and the shops around here want about $180 to do it.

 

You can clean that carb. Just pay attenton to how everything goes together. And maybe download an exploded parts diagram first. It isn't as hard as many would have you think. It is time consuming but very worth it.

 

Hard starting can also be caused by valves that are to tight. I would check the clearances before taking the carb apart. Also could be a vaccume leak like the boot between the carb and head.