[petee_c]

Thanks for the advice Ivar.

According to the specs I have, the machine holds 12.25 US gallons (46L). 1 qt is .95L. so about 50:1?

I could be wrong, but I don't think my machine uses that much....

P

Anyone have numbers for their 550Fan's oil consumption? I'm trying to keep an eye on mine, and it doesn't appear to have moved much over the past 100-150 miles. I've probably used 3-4 Jerry cans of gas (20L - just over 5US gallons each) in that time.

Thanks,
P

 

[emk800]

Well , i work for a ski area, weve had 7 skidoos in a month loose pto cylinder and a couple have stuck a ring in both sides. still digging in to them to find out the cause. they are not stored inside so we thought that was the cause of the first few. one i took apart today was a 09 with 5000 miles on it, both cylinders were really dry. pto toast mag side bottom ring stuck in one spot.

 

[BudShackRacers]

From what I know about those 550 fans they have been burning down since 2000 when they were first introduced as the replacement for the 488 fans, it was one of those POS motors that ruined a UP 1 day ride for me, 3 of us drove up to Trout Lake from Gaylord early on a Saturday morning, the 3rd wheel that was with us had the turd 550, 5 miles out it wend kaplooey, I ended up towing it back with my XC 700, hit the bar in Trout lake for a couple of beers and by noon was headed back to Gaylord, polaris fixed it and then again not long after it took a crap again on him, I was convinced from then on that the 550 fans were junk and made sure to steer clear of them no matter how good of a deal was presented.

 

[polarisedge03]

My mom has an 2005 550 fan and she loves it. It has over 3000 miles on it and have never had a problem with it

 

[petee_c]

if you top up both the gas and oil tanks, the sled should use about 1qt for a tank of gas.

instead of raising the needle 1 full clip pos, you may put in a needle shim that raises it 1/2 clip.
As for the percentage of failures, I'm sure Polaris got data for warranty claims etc, but good luck getting anything fromn them...

I tried the needle shim (I assume it's the 0.020" shim - I should measure them) and my fuel mileage was horrible. I did a 200 mile run on Monday, and I got about 9.25MPG (US) over the 1st 160 miles.

The shims came out last night.

There's a couple spots on the net that sell shims in 0.010" thicknesses, but wary of trying it.

P

 

[HEMI]

I have a 09 550 shift with over 4000 miles and zero problems,just did 500 miles this past weekend in 2 1/2 days,i run a 20 thous shim under the stock e-clip position 12-15 mpg average i can easily go 120 miles before looking for gas,the newer 09 and up 550,s will kill the older 550,s in perf and reliability.HEMI

 

[petee_c]

I tried the needle shim (I assume it's the 0.020" shim - I should measure them) and my fuel mileage was horrible. I did a 200 mile run on Monday, and I got about 9.25MPG (US) over the 1st 160 miles.

The shims came out last night.

There's a couple spots on the net that sell shims in 0.010" thicknesses, but wary of trying it.

P

I also calculated oil consumption. Looks like I used about 90L gas total for a 220mile trip and 1.45L of oil.

Brings all consumption with the needle raised to #2.5 position at 63:1

 

[pinetreexc]

We have a 2005 with the needles shimmed and it goes good. Still gets 15 mpg or so no problem. Have been really careful about always putting super unleaded in it and not driving it in the 40-45 range steady for long periods of time. It does not seem to have any detonation problems. Hoping it lasts as my wife really likes it.

 

[maydaze]

I posted an article a while back about the needles, nozzles, oil pump update and how I keep my daughters Super Sport running cooler by adding a heat shield between the pipe and engine. Aluminum shield with reflective heat tape facing the muffler. The top is bent towards the opening in the hood. The vent was notched on the side and heated and bent towards the shield to direct incoming air towards the engine. Works like a charm. The sled starts on the first pull every time....unreal....only Polaris sled that I own that will do this....hot or Cold !! One pull. It got 15 mpg before I changed the needles and nozzles and about 11-12 mpg after I put them in.

 

[Indy-500]

My dad had an 01 sport touring 550 we bought it with 100 miles. It blew up at 110 miles. Got it rebuilt, made it to 4000 miles and it blew up again. Bye-Bye stupid fan cooled pos...

 

[XCR1250]

There has been 2 substitution cylinders for the troublesome 550 engine, for a total of 3 different cylinder part numbers all together..
3089525, (newest)
3089226
3089232

 

[raysxc700]

my buddy has a 2002 classic 550 and it got 10560 miles on still going strong

 

[joemod47]

i just recently rebuilt a 550 for a guy and took it out for a test run after and WOW what a gutless POS. the 488 was a way better motor. hell my 292 yammi single beats it!

 

[The Texan]

Changes in 2008

Polaris made some MAJOR changes in 2008 and those appear to have stopped the engine problems. All you hear about are 2007 and older.

 

[tic]

15mpg on a poo 550 fanner.. Ya right.. You're lucky to get 10

 

[horsefly]

own a 2007 Trail Touring Deluxe, with about 450 miles on it, have the Polaris cylinder modifications taken care of this problem. This makes me nervous.

 

[trebor7577]

My 2012 IQ lxt melted down after 400 miles but I don't think the oil injection was turned up enough. Dealer turned it up after rebuild.

 

[trebor7577]

Just keep it out of mid throttle and or vary your revs and it should be fine is what I was told.

 

[horsefly]

these 550's are recommended for 89 octane, does 91 octane help, hurt, or have no bearing on it. With the ethanol issue what's one to do?

 

[Xflyer53]

from what I read/hear, midrange / low speed burndowns are pretty common on these, -> to me it sounds like underhood heat, leading to poor cooling is a big part of the problem

Poo switched to the Edge chassis for the 550 in 2003.

There is a big reduction in airflow from the Gen 2 chassis to the Edge.