We got some snow so my wife and I decide to go sledding, I pull on it, and its seized. It got up into the 40s for a few days then got down into the 20s in the last few days, would the temp difference have caused condensation to seize up the rings? The sled has exactly 1500 miles on it, and ran good although the idle is high and I was wondering if there was a crank seal sucking air. It ran fine though last time we ran it, its not like it seized when we were riding, it seized when it was just sitting. Anyway, anyone know any trick to get the rings loose without tearing the thing down?

Did you pull the spark plugs and try to pull it? these are notorius for
the needle and seats leaking gas into the engine filling it up then it
won't turn over. pull plugs and try to pull it (key off) if it pulls and
sprays gas all over there is your problem!

Try that first,it's quite possible. If that is'nt it my guess would be the 2 PTO crank bearing's, 488 motor's tend to do that if they have not been fogged with oil for summer storage. All it takes is a little rust pit to start and ther goes the bearing after just a little use. Been a Polaris dealer for 22 years,we get at least one of these a year.

Under the exhaust maniflod you will find 2 10mm headed bolts on the bootom half of crankcase which will drain the crankcase. Turn the fuel off first then remove these bolts. After fuel drains put them back in. If the sled is going to sit for turn the fuel . off this will prevent the carbs from leaking.

I pulled the plugs first, but it wouldn't pull through even with no plugs in it, I haven't tried draining the crankcase, the guy I bought it from paid a dealer to winterize it last year, it has run great all winter, took it to Baldwin and Cadillac a few times, as well as local riding. I am afraid you might be right about the crank bearings, or the rings, i put oil in the cylinders and they have had a couple days to work in, and it is just as seized as yesterday.

Use the drive clutch to turh over engine . Cant see an engine locking up from sitting but who knows.

Doesnt sound good dont think pulling drain plugs is going to help if you had the plugs out and its still locked.

Yeah that was what I was thinking. I have decent mechanical skills and a manual, do you think I should attempt the tear down myself, or just take it to a Polaris dealer?

If you were riding in deep powder OR you got snow in you engine deparment. The snow well melt when it hits the engine/exhaust then turn to water and freeze on your recoil. It is like cement the dealer told me and it well not break by pulling the cord. I heated the ice up with a trouble light under the recoil for a couple hours and she pulled over and started. If the tempatures are right this could very well be your problem. Put it in a heated shop also works.

Jeffer

Really good news, it was a frozen recoil starter, today it is 41 degrees, and the sled pulls right through. Thanx everyone, you folks on this forum are the best! If it wasn't for that reply my engine might be on the garage floor in pieces right now! I now know not to neglect the summerization either, thanx to the Polaris dealer of 20 years experience.