Snowmobile Polaris RMK Shift / RMK / Dragon RMK (2008 year). Manual - part 28

113

TROUBLESHOOTING

Engine Troubleshooting

Unless you have experience and training in two-cycle engine repair, 
see your dealer if technical problems arise.

Problem

Probable Cause Solution

Erratic engine oper-
ating RPM during 
acceleration or load 
variations

Drive clutch binding

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Driven clutch mal-
function

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Harsh drive clutch 
engagement

Drive belt worn or 
too narrow

• Replace the drive belt.

Excessive belt/
sheave clearance

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Drive belt turns over

Wrong belt for appli-
cation

• Replace the drive belt.

Clutch alignment out 
of spec

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Engine mount bro-
ken or loose

• Inspect and replace. SEE YOUR 

DEALER.

Machine fails to 
move

Clutch jammed

• Check for twisted belt or broken 

spring. SEE YOUR DEALER.

Track jammed

• Foreign object may be caught or the 

rail slide melted to the track clips 
due to lack of lubrication.

• Track may be iced up or frozen to 

the ground. 

Chaincase sprocket 
or chain jammed or 
broken

• Chain is loose or broken or chain 

tightener is loose.  SEE YOUR 
DEALER.

114

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.

Poor fuel quality

• Use 87-91 octane fuel (or higher).

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.

115

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. See page 56.
• Make sure the fuel tank contains 

fuel.

• Ice may be in the fuel line, filter or 

pump.  Add isopropyl alcohol to the 
fuel system.

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)

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Incorrect clutching

• SEE YOUR DEALER.

Carburetor and fuel 
pump

• There is no adjustment to change 

power output. SEE YOUR 
DEALER.

Engine continually 
backfires

Faulty plug(s)

• Change plug(s).

Carburetor / Fuel 
System

• Dirt or ice may be in the fuel system 

(deicer should be added to non-etha-
nol fuel at all times for assurance 
against fuel line icing).

Incorrect throttle 
freeplay or faulty 
switch

• 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.

Engine backfires but 
fails to start

Spark plug wires 
may be on wrong 
cylinder

• Reinstall spark plug wires to the cor-

responding cylinder.

116

TROUBLESHOOTING

Suspension Troubleshooting

Problem

Solution

Rear suspension bot-
toms too easily 

• Set static sag (see page 43). Adjust torsion spring blocks or 

install optional torsion springs to achieve correct sag 
dimensions.

Rides too stiff in rear

• Check for binding suspension components and grease all 

pivot points.

• Set static sag (see page 43). Adjust torsion spring blocks or 

install optional torsion springs to achieve correct sag 
dimensions.

Too much weight 
transfer when climb-
ing

• Set static sag (see page 43). Adjust torsion spring blocks or 

install optional torsion springs to achieve correct sag.

• Move limiter strap to high position (see page 44).

Too little weight 
transfer when climb-
ing

• Set static sag (see page 43). Adjust torsion spring blocks or 

install optional torsion springs to achieve correct sag.

• Move limiter strap to low position (see page 44).

Front end pushes

• Check for worn skags.
• Check for binding front suspension shafts/steering compo-

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

• Set static sag (see page 43). Adjust torsion spring blocks or 

install optional torsion springs to achieve correct sag.

• Increase IFS preload (if equipped) (see page 41).
• Move limiter strap to high position (see page 44).

Steering is heavy

• Make sure spindles and all steering components turn freely.
• Check ski alignment (see page 106).
• Check skags and skis for damage.
• Set static sag (see page 43).

Machine darts from 
side to side

• Check ski alignment (see page 106).
• Check for binding front suspension shafts/steering compo-

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

• Check for excessive play in steering assembly (see dealer).
• Ensure skags are straight on skis.
• Set static sag (see page 43).
• Check rail slide/replace if worn (see page 108).
• Install Accu-Trak dual skags (see your dealer).