Hello everyone,
I just purchased a 1991 Safari L and a 1989 Exciter this season. My Safari is running rough. It starts so-so and idles well but feels sluggish and rough. Top speed is 50 km or so. One plug was wet and black, the other was mostly black but dry. Changed plugs, and rode for 30-40 min. Still ran poor and rough with low power. Pulled plugs and they look good. (brown cardboard color) and dry. The sled had a gallon or so of fuel in it. I added 2 or 3 more gallons, used about half of that fuel. Then topped it off. (the plug change was after the last fuel fill up)
I assume i need to clean the carbs. Does any one have any advice to get it running good. I have never taken a carb apart and cleaned it but I am comfortable in giving it a try. What do i use for cleaning, should i use a carb kit and replace some of the components? Any help would be appreciated. Are there any good repair and maintenance books for this sled?
Thanks in advance,
Trevor

hey good questions. its hard to explain how to take the carbs apart...but my best advice to you is ether take it to a dealer and have them checked over for the up coming season....or you can call a dealer and ask then if they have any manuals for those sleds. best of luck. hope i was of some help. if you have any questions keep posting.

Pull the carb and take it to any lawnmower shop and have them disasemble and drop in a parts tank to clean. Also, drain the gas and replace, you might want to add a new fuel pump ($30) and replace the gas lines. Otherwise, should be ok

I had a '91 Safari LCE way back when. Another thing to check would be your plug caps. They have a built in resistance and the resistors fail once in awhile causing engine to misfire on that cylinder. Easily checked with on OHM meter. Or if only one cylinder giving greif, unscrew the caps from plug wires and switch between cylinders. I used to carry a couple of caps with me after I had an issue with them once on a ride. Polaris were notorious for failing caps.
What compression does the engine have? And which engine in the L? 377?

I had a '91 Safari LCE way back when. Another thing to check would be your plug caps. They have a built in resistance and the resistors fail once in awhile causing engine to misfire on that cylinder. Easily checked with on OHM meter. Or if only one cylinder giving greif, unscrew the caps from plug wires and switch between cylinders. I used to carry a couple of caps with me after I had an issue with them once on a ride. Polaris were notorious for failing caps.
What compression does the engine have? And which engine in the L? 377?
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Thanks for the advice bobber, have not checked the compression yet.
Yes the L has a 377.
If the cap fails would I get any spark? I pulled plugs and turned over, they both were getting spark. Not sure how much spark is correct, and the new plugs both look fine after a 30-40 min ride. I will pick up a couple spare caps to carry as well.
Trevor


Pull the carb and take it to any lawnmower shop and have them disasemble and drop in a parts tank to clean. Also, drain the gas and replace, you might want to add a new fuel pump ($30) and replace the gas lines. Otherwise, should be ok
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Thanks for the help, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the advice bobber, have not checked the compression yet.
Yes the L has a 377.
If the cap fails would I get any spark? I pulled plugs and turned over, they both were getting spark. Not sure how much spark is correct, and the new plugs both look fine after a 30-40 min ride. I will pick up a couple spare caps to carry as well.
Trevor
Thanks for the help, I'll keep you posted.
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Yes you'd get spark but it would be more yellow rather than dark blue.
Check the compression. Should be in the 130-140 range BUT no more than a 10% differance between both sides.