2011 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO Owners Manual - Page 119

TROUBLESHOOTING Engine Pings or Knocks Possible Cause Poor quality or low octane fuel Incorrect ignition timing Incorrect spark plug gap or heat range Solution Replace with recommended fuel See your dealer Set gap to specs or replace plugs Engine Runs Irregularly, Stalls or Misfires Possible Cause Fouled or defective spark plug(s) Worn or defective spark plug wires Incorrect spark plug gap or heat range Loose ignition connections Water present in fuel Low battery voltage Kinked or plugged fuel tank vent line Incorrect fuel Clogged air filter Reverse speed limiter malfunction Electronic throttle control malfunction Other mechanical failure Solution Inspect, clean and/or replace spark plug(s) See your dealer Set gap to specs or replace plugs Check all connections and tighten Replace with new fuel Recharge battery to 12.8 VDC Inspect and replace Replace with recommended fuel Inspect and clean or replace See your dealer See your dealer See your dealer Possible Lean Fuel Cause Low or contaminated fuel Kinked or plugged fuel tank vent line Low octane fuel Clogged fuel filter Incorrect fuel Incorrect jetting Solution Add or change fuel, clean the fuel system Inspect and replace Replace with recommended fuel Replace filter Replace with recommended fuel See your POLARIS dealer Possible Rich Fuel Cause Fuel is very high octane Overuse of choke Stopping/starting without adequate warm-up Incorrect fuel Clogged air filter Incorrect jetting Solution Replace with lower octane fuel Inspect, clean and/or replace spark plugs Allow engine to warm up before operating and/or stopping Replace with recommended fuel Inspect and clean or replace See your POLARIS dealer 115