Anybody had ahy head problems on the new 550s? I'm assuming that my head gasket is toast as I lost power, there was a poof of white smoke before I shut it down, and it wouldn't restart, I have at least an extra inch in the crankcase that is a creamy colour. I've called 2 dealers and neither have had one of these motors apart? There diagnosis was bring it in unknowbn cost. Also there is a drilled hole on the cylinder, facing the trannie. , some coolant has come out of it, what is it. Thanks everyone

 

I wonder if that could be the 550s new weep hole location for the water pump, maybe the water pump quit? You should of got a OVER HEAT warning light on the dash before any real engine damage happened in that case.

 

The machine had only gone 1/2mile on this trip, jsut going to the farm next door, after 1/4mile it coughed, then bit of smoke, then i knew somethign was wrongf and shut it down, wouldnt start, no signs previous to any of this. Machine has coughed on initial startup since new, just seemed liked the starter need to spin a few more revolutions before quiting, but i dont thihk this is related?

Of course the dealer i bought it from is on holidays (further away but better than 2 local ones) hoping theyll help me out if i strip the plastics off and make the job as quick as possible.

Update that hole that is bleeding coolant is in the head, not the cylinder, ison the rear axle facing side

 

well the motors stripped down, f*$%king head is cracked from spark plug to intake valve, wonder if polaris will step up and at least give me the parts? 267 miles and nearly a grand in parts (ill eat the labour with the nieghbour (car mechanic)) is not right.

 

Sounds like a new bike and 6 months past the purchase date. This is where you find out how good your dealer is as he can go to bat for you and contact the Service Rep for Polaris. They may be interested in why your engine failed. Seeing it does not appear to be a real common thing, they make go good for the parts as you said.

Good luck and keep us posted. By the way, what year and model is it?

 

Its a 2010 sportsman 550 xp (no eps) red and black. Was one of the first ones that came into ontario last year, got it september 2009. Horrible time for the dealer to be shut down on smmer holidays, but heres to hoping he can pull something off, the dealer i just got my sled from wouldnt even try.

 

A 2010 and only 267 miles on it,should`nt it be under warranty??????????

 

In Canada the warranties are 6 months ,it goes by faster than you can believe,most of the time while the ATV is stored in a shed for the winter because spring, summer and fall are lucky to be 6 months long. LOL

 

As i have no idea how to upoad or attach picture on this forum, heres the picture on facebook ( no login required)

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It is cracked from the spark plug hole to the top right intake valve. The hole in the side of the head is connected to the sprak plug hole/shaft) the coolant was coming up around the threads in to where the cap is then draining out the hole. So I'm sure i heard this thing let go and it didnt make it a 1/4 mile before it was unrunnable.

Mondays a holiday here so no dealer until tuesday. Is it better for him to try with polaris or me to find the customer service number?

P.S. TLC is correct in that the factory warranty is 6 months (i believe no miles limits) in Canada. I bet the machine didnt have 75 miles on it when the warranty was over, as we have 4 sleds they dont get used much in the winter, alot less field hoping checking fences and moving supplies around.

 

May I ask what part of Ontario are you in? Just wonder about the dealers near the big cities rather than the cottage areas(Northern Dealers), if you dealer is in the city , they may not have had any motor jobs due to the low amount of riders and sales on Quads....just my thoughts...........Caper...

I know Wayne's World in Bancroft has a large dealership and pumps Quads out the door........They even have ads in the Quebec Mag. I get in the mail.........