The Birdfish Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 I have a 2009 Polaris 500 sportmen. When the temp goes below 0 the dam thing has a really hard time starting/turning over and it will sometimes kill the battery when doing so!!!! I sometimes trailer it up to simcoe and on really cold days it will not turn over and I need to jump it I am looking for advice on what I should do?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 I gather it's a 4 stroke right? No different than your car in very cold temps, add a block heater and battery warmer to it. Plug it in over night before you head out and keep it covered. It should hold in enough heat for starting on all but the most frigid days. My 4 stroke snowmobile is the same way at -25 or colder if I don't plug it in for a couple of hours before I head out. If it's really cold and you are staying put make sure you run it for a while during the day to put some heat back in the block so you don't get stranded on the lake. If you are ice fishing and your machine won't start because of the cold cover it with a tarp and put your heater under there to warm up the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 I had a similar problem with mine. Added a primer to give it a little extra fuel which really helped. And if I take it to the cottage and need a little extra heat I throw a cover over it and turn on a hair drier under it. Works like a charm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Birdfish Posted December 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 Thanks Drifter, it is a 4 stroke with Carb, I will look at adding the heater and warmer. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 No problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeter Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 solve your problem: run synthetic oil in it. makes a world of difference. it will turn over just like its july.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityfisher Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 my first two quads had carbs.. hated them both... i was never stuck but it was a PAIN! Bought an 06 500x2 EFI .. MINT !! starts everytime !! anywhere! Is your choke working? if its setup correctly it should start first time. When my choke was not frozen mine would start right away. Since its an 09 i doubt it needs a carb cleaning yet but something you could try to do if it comes to that. The battery might be a dud. Id put a battery tester on it to make sure its holding a full charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Fisher Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 I own a Honda 1996 300 4x4 set the choke full hit the start button and wamo I don't care how cold it is that bike will start. My Yamaha 350 big bear 4x4 is the same, pull out the choke hit the button and is running. Synthetic oil is key keep the carb clean. Use shell super only it has no additives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Like T Fisher.. I have a 350 big bear... 1995 if I remember right. Starts with no effort.. 4 seasons.. -40 or not. Quick hit of the button or a single pull of the rope. Unlike T Fisher... it's got the oil still in it from after the first dealer oil change. Never been changed since. Carb.. never been off... saving grace.. maybe all that 100LL AV Gas we've run thru it instead of car gas with all them nasty varnish making additives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattletrap2 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Interesting. My 07 500X2 is EFI and so far has started in any weather. Cold or hot. I mainly use it in the winter, so starting easily was a big factor in the choice to go EFI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagoat_1 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Allmost sounds like 2 separate issue causing hard starts: 1) Choke not functioning properly , possibly freezing? I have this issue on my ArcticCats every winter where moisture in the cable freezes and makes it non functional until it warms up. When this happens you need to pin the throttle wide open. 2) Failing Battery, Do a load test on it, that will give you a definate answer. My original battery one of mine only lasted over a year, the other going strong after 3yrs. Synthetic is highly recomended if you use in winter. You will not regret it and all my toys get it. GoodLuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 While there could be a lot of things, even a combination of things, the very first question I have is "what oil are you running in it?" Next is fuel, people don't realize that there is a big difference between summer and winter grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderson Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I have a 99 500 Sportsman and have a similar problem I pulled the drain plug on the recoil side and about 1/2 a cup of water came out Dammed if I know how it got in there I checked all the bolts that hold the recoil on and they were tight and the cap for the pull cord is on and I"m not loosing antifreeze Any ideas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I have a 99 500 Sportsman and have a similar problem I pulled the drain plug on the recoil side and about 1/2 a cup of water came out Dammed if I know how it got in there I checked all the bolts that hold the recoil on and they were tight and the cap for the pull cord is on and I"m not loosing antifreezeAny ideas Do you mean the water came out of your crank case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityfisher Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Do you mean the water came out of your crank case? i think he means belt case since i know there is a plug on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Birdfish Posted December 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I am running the recommend Polaris Oil that comes in the tune up kit, I think its synthetic but I will check and I do have regular gas I will add the winter gas in. As far as the choke goes when I manage to start it the idle is super low and takes time to get to a high RPM. If the choke is freezing how do you fix that besides heating the machine before a start??? Does anyone know anything about Jetting the carb, I looked on-line and saying its for extreme cold and high altitude?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiths Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I have an 07 Honda 400 and have had a hard time starting it since new. I have to prime it in cold weather and still keep the choke part way out to keep it running until it warms up. Just had it's second oil change and they don't use synthetic oil. Will replacing it void the warranty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 (edited) As long as the oil you want to use carries the same specs, ie, 10W30, SL, etc, there's no problem. Got to remember that Honda or Polaris and all the others don't make their own oil, they just go to any company that can meet their specs, place an order and wack their own stickers on the bottles. Edited December 31, 2009 by Fisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroutnMuskieHunter Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I've never had issues in cold weather starting my 2008 650cc Brute Force Kawasaki...it's always parked outside with a cover on it and starts everytime....I do run synthetic oil in it though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagoat_1 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 For the choke cable, I spray it with a WD40 type lube or what ever your favourite may be. I remove the choke lever until the cable opening is exposed and spray and spray some more while working the cable back and forth. I have found it works better if I spray the cable from the carb side as well. Hope this helps you out. On a side note, try to find a forum for your particular brand as you will get a ton of info there. For me its www.arcticchat.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattletrap2 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Just a side note for you ATV guys. I had problems last year with the cheapo contactor that controls the Polaris cheapo winch. The dealers want over $100.00 for these, and they are still cheapo! I found a place called KFI Products on an ATV website. They are in Minnesota, but were a pleasure to deal with! The replacement contactor was $22.00 through them! http://www.kfiproducts.com If you need anything to do with winches or controls, they are worth a look! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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