Hello Y'All,
I have some time on my hands, semi retired from the automotive business of 46 years. Thought I would pick up a 4 wheeler and fix it and maybe flip it.
So, I found a 2015 Polaris Sportsman 325 ETX EFI. Was told it needed piston rings. No big deal for me. Been here many times before. He did not have an ignition key and it would not push. I was given a rear wheel bearing. I was told the bearing was locked up causing it not to be able to be pushed, and battery dead. So he picked it up with a loader and set it on my flatbed trailer.
Got it home, pressure washer came out, washed mud like no tomorrow from what I thought was every crevis known to man kind. Started taking stuff apart, found more mud. Air box inside was covered with mud. (keep in mind, piston rings)
Went to try and get engine running, Need to charge battery. Remove and gut ignition switch. Use flathead screwdriver to turn switch to the start mode. Remove spark plug, Spark plug is black and coated and wet. Crank it over a few times. Test for spark, got spark. Install compression gauge. 40 PSI. Guess I need rings at least. Put oil down spark plug hole. Crank a few times, install compression gauge. 100 PSI. Install spark plug, engine was lazy starting, but started. Engine would snap rev to 3500 rpm's.
Picked up the mud fest and proceeded to remove the wheels. Stud rotating in the hub taking loose first lug nut. Missing 2 Moose lug nuts to boot. 1 of the studs is covered in rust, threads missing at the end. All of the wheel bearings are very loose. Tie rod ends at the front steering very loose. Got all of the wheels off, all outer brake pads missing along with the backing plates that holds the brake pads on, Front left rotor grinding into the caliper outside. All caliper slides, boots are not sealing anymore. Full of mud. Rotors totally rusted. Cannot build pressure with the brake pedal or the hand brake.
Hit shifter lever at transmission with a hammer, shifter lever started to move. Worked lever, got it to move from Park to High. Was very tight. The more I move it, the better it gets.
With mud fest in the air, I proceeded to test the front differential. Started ATV. From the shifter, put it in low. Push AWD switch on right hand grip, accelerate engine, front driveshaft not rotating. I look down at the front differential. It appears there is space between front pinion and front seal. I take ahold of the front driveshaft and can move it up and down about 1/4" inch. So much for needing piston rings.
I had to take clear cover off instrument gauge to get all of the water out of it. Cover has cracks in it. Once I could read it thru the clear cover, I turned on the ignition and it has 886 miles, 262 hours. It is amazing to me to see how people can destroy a piece of equipment so quick.
Y'All have a blessed holiday season. :big-grin (I used paragraphs when I wrote this)
