ihave a 2000 500 sprotsman. When i get in deep water, like above the tiers near fender it sputters to the point i think its going to kill. It does not kill! You can hear every spark, sounds like 200 rpms.. However it keeps going. one i am out of the water its just fine? I have looked in the airbox and its totally dry. Help me out here guys.

 

I have a 2001 Sportsman 400 and it does the same thing and I looked at the pipe and the bottem outlet and that was under water and that was the only thing that made mine do that, I don't know if thats your problem but it could be!

 

Take a look at your carburetor. You will see a clear plastic vent hose that runs to the frame. With the engine running cover the end of this hose with your thumb. Notice the difference in engine rpm? This could be your problem. Extend the hose and route it to a higher area. Good Luck!

 

I agree with Thor-this happened on my 'Cat a few times, till I discovered the carb vent lines were under water, and either having a hard time breathing, or sucking water in. Either way, in really deep water, it would sputter, act like it was going to die, then would be fine soon as I got out of the hole. After re-routing it to a higher location, it's been fine ever since.

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

Mine and my Dad's '01 400 Xplorers did the same thing, but it wasn't from water. It was from hitting the gas real fast and hard and you normally hit the gas like that when you hit a mud hole. The problem was the vent hose for the gas tank was pinching on the steering post where the vent line goes into it. This made the carb vapor lock and it got no air to the tank. Next time it does it, see if there is a squeaking noise, then twist off your gas cap and see if it goes away. If it does, that is your problem. I have seen lots of new Polaris's with the same problem and it is a simple fix. Just give the vent line a little more slack and turn the kink the other direction, so it doesn't cut off the air supply to the tank.