Snowmobile Polaris 550 IQ / 550 Shift (2012 year). Manual - part 25

100

TROUBLESHOOTING

Engine Troubleshooting

Problem

Probable Cause Solution

Noise in drive sys-
tem

Broken drive clutch 
components

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Bearing failure/ 
chaincase, jackshaft, 
or front drive shaft

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Drive belt surface 
flat spots

• Inspect and replace as needed.

Drive chain loose

• Inspect and adjust (or replace).

Drive chain worn, 
sprocket teeth bro-
ken

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Poor low RPM per-
formance

Worn drive belt

• Inspect and replace as needed.

Excessive belt/
sheave clearance

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Loose torque stop

• Inspect and adjust.

Sticky clutch

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Engine doesn't turn

Seized engine

• SEE YOUR DEALER. Seizure is a 

result of poor lubrication, inade-
quate fuel supply, broken parts or 
improper cooling.

Hydrostatic lock 

• Fuel may have entered the crankcase 

while the vehicle was standing or 
being transported. SEE YOUR 
DEALER to correct the cause. Drain 
plug(s) are located on the lower 
crankcase for emergency draining.

Engine doesn't start 
(electric start mod-
els)

Wire connections

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Engine requires 
more than normal 
pulls to start

Poor fuel

• Replace with fresh winter fuel.

Not enough fuel get-
ting to engine

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

101

TROUBLESHOOTING

Engine Troubleshooting

Problem

Probable Cause Solution

Engine turns but fails 
to start

Faulty ignition

• Install new spark plug(s). If engine 

still fails to start, check for spark. If 
there's no spark, SEE YOUR 
DEALER.

No fuel to engine

• Make sure the fuel valve is on.
• Use the choke. 
• Make sure fuel tank contains fuel.
• Ice may be in fuel line, filter or 

pump. Add isopropyl alcohol to fuel 
system. On the standard POLARIS 
carburetor, the choke will not func-
tion with the throttle depressed. See 
second item under Probable Cause" 
of Engine Continually Backfires".

Flooded engine (too 
much choke used)

• Hold throttle open, crank engine 

several times (may be necessary to 
change plug(s).

Poor engine com-
pression

• Mixture is too lean. A main jet that 

is too small will cause seizure result-
ing in loss of power. This indicates a 
major engine problem that must be 
repaired before operating. SEE 
YOUR DEALER.

Engine lacks power

Fouled or defective 
spark plug(s)

• Replace the plug(s).

Fuel filter (loss of 
high RPM power)

• Check fuel filter flow. Disconnect 

hose and drain 1/2 cup. Fuel flow 
should be steady and encompass the 
entire diameter of fuel line. If not, 
replace filter.

Incorrect clutching

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Carburetor and fuel 
pump

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Engine continually 
backfires

Faulty plug(s)

• Change plug(s).

Carburetor / Fuel 
System

• Dirt or ice may be in the fuel system 

(add deicer to non-ethanol fuel at all 
times to prevent icing).

Incorrect throttle 
freeplay or faulty 
switch

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

102

TROUBLESHOOTING

Rear Suspension Troubleshooting

Problem

Solution

Rear suspension bot-
toms too easily 

• Adjust torsion spring preload to achieve proper static sag 

(see page 32).

• Change torsion spring to stiffer optional spring (see your 

dealer).

• Revalve rear track shock (see your dealer).
• Rotate RRSS to higher position (see page 36).

Rides too stiff in rear

• Check for binding suspension shafts and grease all pivot 

points.

• Adjust torsion spring preload to achieve proper static sag 

(see page 32).

• Change torsion spring to softer optional spring (see your 

dealer).

• Check track tension (see page 88).
• Rotate RRSS to lower position (see page 36).

Machine darts from 
side to side

• Check ski alignment (see page 92).
• Make sure spindles and all steering components turn freely.
• Check for excessive play in steering assembly (see your 

dealer).

• Ensure skags are straight on skis.
• Set static sag (see page 32).
• Check rail slide/replace if worn (see page 94).
• Install Accu-Trak dual skags (see your dealer).

Front end pushes

• Check for worn skags.
• Check for binding front suspension shafts and steering 

components, grease all pivot points (elevate front of 
machine).

• Set static sag (see page 32).
• Install single skag (see your dealer).
• Increase IFS preload (if equipped) (see page 28).
• Rotate RRSS to higher position (see page 36).

Steering is heavy

• Make sure spindles and all steering components turn freely.
• Check ski alignment (see page 92).
• Check skags and skis for damage.
• Set static sag (see page 32).

103

TROUBLESHOOTING

Drive Belt Troubleshooting

Belt Wear/Burn Diagnosis

Causes

Solutions

Driving at low RPM

• Drive at higher RPMs. Gear the machine down. Check 

belt deflection.

Insufficient warm-up

• Warm the engine at least five minutes. Take the drive 

belt off the machine in extremely cold weather and 
warm it up. Break machine loose from the snow.

Towing at low RPM

• Do not tow in deep snow. Use fast, aggressive throttle 

to engage clutch.

Riding with high RPM 
and slow speed (8000 
RPM/10 MPH)

• Lower the gear ratio.  Reduce RPM.  Avoid riding in 

high ambient temperatures. Check for snow ingestion.

Ice and snow build-up 
between track and tunnel

• Warm the engine at least five minutes. Take the drive 

belt off the machine in extremely cold weather and 
warm it up. Break machine loose from the snow.

Poor engine performance

• Check for carburetor and choke synchronization, fouled 

plugs, debris in the carburetor(s) and water, ice or dirt 
in the fuel tank or fuel line.

Loading machines onto 
trailers

• Skis may gouge into trailers and prevent the drivetrain 

from spinning properly.  Use enough speed to drive the 
machine completely onto the trailer.  Push and pull it to 
finish loading if necessary.

Clutch malfunction

• Inspect clutch components.  See your dealer.

Slow, easy clutch engage-
ment

• Use fast, aggressive throttle to engage clutch.