oil in recoil starter

mcnamash

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Location
Alberta
The kids ran my 2003 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO out of fuel then drained the battery trying to restart it. When I went to pull the rope, I found a lot of oil in the recoil--enough to splash up on me.

What does this mean?
 

Trashy

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 16, 2008
Messages
130,459
Reaction score
100,436
Location
Fort Macleod
Take the 3 or 4 screws off, and remove the recoil. Maybe somebody put oil in the wrong hole, or you will see if you have a problem.
 

imdoo'n

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
57,022
Reaction score
50,068
Location
alberta
Take the 3 or 4 screws off, and remove the recoil. Maybe somebody put oil in the wrong hole, or you will see if you have a problem.

is this a newly bought used quad? if so, it is and old trick to keep the electric starter from rusting and corroding. the seal on the pullstart handle doesn't seal real well and lets water past. which will sit and corrode the electric starter, thus making it not work. there is a drain plug on the bottom of the pullstart assenbly, otherwise i'd leave it alone.
 

LBZ

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2010
Messages
3,068
Reaction score
3,649
Location
Central Alberta
is this a newly bought used quad? if so, it is and old trick to keep the electric starter from rusting and corroding. the seal on the pullstart handle doesn't seal real well and lets water past. which will sit and corrode the electric starter, thus making it not work. there is a drain plug on the bottom of the pullstart assenbly, otherwise i'd leave it alone.

My old man used to do that. It's likely where the oil came from.
I just siliconed the pull start handle on. Never used it on my zuk in 4 years so it was still sealed when I sold it.
 

OnlyPolaris

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
1,964
Reaction score
524
Location
Lloydminster, AB
I would pull it apart myself and just make sure that you don't have a damaged crank seal. The oil could be engine oil leaking by the seal. I guess you can just monitor the oil level too if you want.
 
Joined
Aug 31, 2014
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Darwin, australia
Hi guys first time forum poster here so not sure if i'm posting in correct location.

I have also had some oil issues within my recoil starter housing, dirty-whiteish type oil sitting in the bottom(not a lot, but enough to concern me) cleaned it all up, cleaned the spring and cord ect then closed it up and took the bike for a 5 minute cruise up the road. Found the pull start playing up again so i opened the enclosure and found a new amount of oil sitting inside the housing. Any tips/advice?
 
Top Bottom