I am getting a clicking noise from the engine on my 96 Sportsman, Kind of sounds like a rocker noise on a car, is that normal or is there somthing messed up, this is my first polaris and don't want to mess it up. Help!

 

Need a little help here guys. I didn't want to load the machine and haul it 25 miles to the shop one way, I'm sure someone out there knows about this problem if it is one. Thanks.

 

it could be a number of things.It could the clutch(mine sounded like a wrist pin knock but was clutch buttons)These machines do have cam problems but you know when that goes bad.I had to get a stethascope to pin point my noise.

 

The 500's are known for being a little noisy....most comes from the water/oil pump drive....It can be cam/clutch related too. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

 

I didn't know anything about the 500's having cam problems, what are the symptoms, this machine only has 1500 miles on it, and what will cause the cam to go bad, I assume the lobes must wear off. Thanks.

 

I have a 2002 and it rattles at low idle / warm. My noise is coming from the cam / valve area. I think a lot of the 500's do this.

I used a long socket extension pressed against various parts of my engine, the other pressed up by my ear. CHEAP stethoscope.

It used to worry me but the noise hasn't changed in 300 miles.

 

I have a 97 Explorer 500 that has always made a noise that I think is piston slap. If I am correct, this is typically caused by a piston design that either does not have a controlled expansion type piston or some other very detailed design of the piston is such that "slap" occurs. The sound is made by the piston changing sides in the cylinder as the crankshaft goes past top dead center. Unusually large clearance between piston skirt and cylinder will nearly always give slap, but I doubt if this engine has excessive skirt clearance. This piston slap should never cause you a problem. Al Elston in Houston

 

My father-in-law has a 2000 Sportsmen 500 and it started making that clicking noise right away after he brought it home. The dealer told him they probably wouldn't be able to find out what the problem was, so he gave him a lifetime warranty on it. It now has over 3600 hard miles on it, and the engine still ticks, but it seems to run fine regardless.

 

BOTH OF MINE HAVE A SLIGHT CLICKING NOISE
POLARIS DOES HAVE A SERIOUS CAM PROBLEM THE EXHAUST LOBE WEARS DOWN MY SP500 HAD ABOUT 2000 MILES WHEN THE CAM WENT OUT. THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT IT TAKES ONLY A COUPLE OF HOURS TO CHANGE. BUT I KNOW OF 2 OR 3 BUDDIES THAT HAD LESS THAN 400 MILES WHEN THE CAM WENT OUT.