Sportsman 400 hard to start - help please

I have a 2005 sportsman 400 that has increasingly gotten harder to start since new. While I haven't used it much, only 25 hours (been out of the country a lot), it was difficult shortly after initial purchase. At first only when cold. Then difficult at 30 degrees. last year at 50, now at 60 degrees. Once it starts it will start all day, even after sitting for 3-4 hours. That first start after sitting for a month is HELL!! I don't think it's the gas, as I said, once it starts it's OK for the rest of the day.

My process:
turn on the gas (very important)
pull out the choke
crank, 5-10 seconds
short firing, 3 second, die
crank for ever, nothing
wait 10 minutes
repeat.

If nothing happens, pull plug, if wet (50%) dry and replace

What up?
I'm starting to dislike this ATV

Any advise appriciated!

Nic

If it sits for a long time you may have bad gas. Drain the tank and refill it with fresh gas, if not to difficult drain the carb also.

Sounds like the compression release spring on
the cam fell off or broke. Very easy to repair or
just to take a look at. Good luck.

Compression release on the cam?? I'll assume that is located under the valve cover. Please confirm.

It turns over OK, just doesn't start very well (extreamly poorly, actually).

Also, how does the fuel system work on this?? I see lines running to a location on the block then to the carb??

Thanks for your help!

Nic

sounds normal for a new polaris to start hard, i owned one which from the time it was new it started hard, i know several people who own them who have same problem.

i got a solution to all of your problems with your Sportsman 400 sell it and go and get a nice HONDA just a suggestion

Just kidding. You are the right place to find the answer. I hope everything works out for you.

Selling it is a thought. If it ran I'm sure I'd be happy with it. That's the problem!!

Anything on the fuel system i should check? Again, is there a fuel pump on this thing??

Thanks all, except those honda guys :P

Nic

Do what Fishmstr said and see if that helps. If your going to park it for long periods put some Stabil in the gas.... you can get it at any parts store. Like stated above though, I have a friend who has a Polaris that does the same thing.

The compression release spring is on the drive belt side of the machine.
You have to take off the thermostat cover. Just to the top left is a cover
with 3 bolts is the cam cover. Take it off and visually look at the end of the cam shaft.
There will be a toggle with a spring on it. If the spring feel off,simply
put it back on so the toggle is pulled back. When the engine starts it releases
from the centrifical force.

Would the engine turn over slower if the compression spring fell off??

Thanks.
Nic

YES

I don't think that's the problem, it turns over OK. It does fire for a few seconds then not again (until the next try 30 minutes later). I'll drain the gas, but knowing that it ran a few weeks ago (after a lot of colorful words and hours of trying to get it to start) with the same gas I don't think it's the gas. I'll give you an update in a couple weeks when I get back to the cabin.

Nic