Just bought a 98 bigboss 500 6x6 in January
Noticed that the coolant bottle on the side was always going down.
Today I drained a small amount of oil out of the reservoir and as I suspected there is water in it. It is clear though, the oil look greener than when it was new. I don't see any leaks in the coolant system, there is milky stuff on the dipstick. and comming out of the drain hole. This thing gets used everyday hard for chores. Is this a common problem that can be pinpointed or are we going to have to wait to find out what it is when it is tore apart. Thanks for any input.
Chris

 

there are only 2 ways what you said can happen
1. cracked head
2. leaking head gasket

i just got thru riding my 500ho and after a couple of hours i had to refill resevior bottle three times. checked the oil and it was foamy and about 1 inch past the full mark on the dipstick. came on home will take to shop tuesday.

probably all that is wrong is the head gasket

 

I have to fill the bottle about once a week or a little longer. The oil level doesn't really go up much at all, Will it hurt it to run it this way for a while? What kind of bearing do they have, roller or journals? I know coolant in the oil will take journal bearings out right away and ruin the crank, what about roller bearings? I don't think our dealer will help with anything at all, going to have to eat this one.

 

wouln not run it too long with water getting in the oil. i also have a sportsman 500 that blew a head gasket and changed it myself in about 2 hours, the head gasket was $35.00. iam taking my 500HO to the shop dont feel like messsing with it plus the extended warranty will fix it

 

hey is that ur engine oil ur talking about if it is just keep filling it with fresh oil and running it for like 5minust up and down the road and drain it again and keepdoing that till there is no white i had to do it to my trail boss. i put 10quarts through it before i cleaned it out ran me about 80dollers but better than taken it to ashop . hope his helps . let me know