AKTrapper2

Hello all,
I have had a frustrating existence with my air cooled Polaris 03 Sport Touring 550.
I bought it new from a dealer with a dealer installed ATAC system. It ran well for a while the starting fluttering and lost its low end. Dealer said a modification to ATAC was needed as well as rejetting. Ran for a while, then the same thing but intermittenly. Not consistent with hot or cold engine. Finally got so bad it flat would not move in 2 feet of powder.

Dealer said jetting was wrong and rejetted. Same thing, fluttering and no low end and weak at high speed, no acceleration. Dealer changed jetting again and also checked compression. Dealer says rebuild is needed. They tested compression at 125 and 115. I also tested compression at home and got 124 and 115. I know this is close to being off 10%, but would this difference really make the engine so weak it can't turn the track and behave so inconsistently? Sometimes it runs alright, sometimes no power at all? Please offer any ideas, I do not want to rebuild this engine if I don't have to. It only has 2300 miles on it.

Thanks for any help.

smallengineguy

Welcome to the woes of the 550 fan engine. Although it being off 10 psi won't cause the problems you list. There still should be plenty of power to turn the track.

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AKTrapper2

Given what I have learned recently about this particualr engine I guess I don't have much interest in spending much time or money figuring it out. I use this machine for trapping so am usuallu operating in the low or mid range throttle; right where this engine likes to cook.

Is it worth looking into what else might be wrong or should I just unload it, cheap! I'd just rebuild the carbs and the engine if I thought the engine was worth rebuilding.

Once I disclose what I know about this engine I'll probably have to pay someone to take it!

Thanks

AKTrapper2

So is it worth getting it running? Or do I scrap it? I'd hate to throw money after a carb issue then smoke a jug. I depend on my machines and I guess I don't think I can ever depend on this one again. If I burn it down 100 miles from home at 40F below, I will have a less than enjoyable few days getting home!

AKTrapper2

Do you know what years this "550 burndown" problem was an issue? I thought it started in 2004 models? Mine is an 03. Trying to decide if I should junk and replace or fix.

Thanks again.

BC_Dan

If I were relying on the sled the way you do, I would find a different one. It's one thing to burn down 5 miles from the truck with a group of friends to help you back... quite a different thing the way you describe your trips. I would look for an Arctic Cat Bearcat, they have a reputation for being very reliable and just keep going and going...

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2007 RMK 700 155", 2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 98 Indy 440, 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650

RIP, destroyed by fire 1-22-2008
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http://www.avalanche.org/accidents.php

xc sp 500 rider

or a indy 500

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