Hey Guys,

I am having and issue with my 2006 Predator 500 (560 BB actually). The machine doesn't idle. It dies when I let off the throttle. Does the same whether the machine is warm or cold. If I keep a little pressure on the throttle during idle, it stays running, I let off and it dies.
The machine runs great...no backfiring or bogging. But if I come to a stop while riding and put it in neutral or the clutch in, it dies. Then it takes about 5-7 times to start back up. When I start it back up, I have to push the throttle all the way down and hold it.

What does this sound like?

I have tried...
- adjust the idle screw...no difference.
- put in Seafoam...no difference.
- pulling out the snorkle connecting the air tube to carb...seems to help.
- cleaned the air filter...no difference.
- replaced plug...no difference.

Any help would be great!
Thanks

 

Could be just trash in the pilot jet not allowing it to idle properly? Plus if the carb's dirty from setting up,old fuel,etc without stabilizers to protect the fuel from varnishing up the carbs, cleaners usually don't help. They have to be physically torn down and hand cleaned. Don't know if this is the problem or not?? Plus the Predators were bad about needing the valves adjusted frequently.Had em brought in before that had quit running because of tight valves. This is a shim under bucket system and if it hasn't been done in awhile might be time to let someone qualified adjust the valves. OPT

 

Thanks. Not sure if it's the valves. Just had a new top-end done last year, probably has about 40-50 hours since then. Could it already need to be adjusted?

Maybe I'll tear the carb down tonight and really clean it.

 

Try the carb first and see how it does.Make sure you can see through the jets(especially the pilot jet after cleaning!) Process of elimination. OPT

 

Ok, took the carb off and cleaned it thoroughly. Put it back on and still won't idle. All the cables are free and clear.

Could it really need a valve adjustment already?

Any other ideas? Really would hate to take this into the shop.

 

Only other thing I forgot to mention was a compression check. Can't remember off hand what it should have since it has an exhaust decompression cam but thinking it should be at least what the 500 Sportsman should be or more, between 60-90 psi. Plus when it dies and it's hard to crank back up, have you pulled the plug to see if you have a good or weak spark? If it's weak could be an ignition problem. I don't have the Predator pdf manual,but maybe you can down load one here that can give you some more checks. PartShark.com - Motorcycle Parts, ATV Parts, UTV Parts, PWC Parts, Powersports Apparel, Motorcycle Accessories for OEM and Aftermarket. Plus the manual will give the valve clearance that you can check yourself. If the valve clearance is tight on any of the valves then best to have someone with all the different size shims to do the job. A box of shims isn't cheap. OPT

 

Does it have the ETC throttle? Video: Polaris ATV Thumb Throttle Maintenance Tips | eHow.com

 

Could be as simple as this if the slack is more than 1/8" on the thumb throttle.Could be the dying problem. Over looking the simple things OPT

 

Oh yea, forgot about the ETC. I'll check that when I get home.

Thanks!

 

It wasn't the etc.

It seems that if I rev it up it will idle for a bit, then it slowly calms down and eventually dies. Then it's a little difficult to start again.


This is driving me crazy.