What kind of problems does a Polaris General 1.000 normally have? In this blog, we’ve outlined all the most important things you should watch for when you’re in the market for a Polaris General 1.000. In the rest of the article, we’ll discuss every single problem in detail. Furthermore, we’ll tell you how to identify it, fix it and how much it costs to fix. Read on!
Also read: Polaris UTV Reliability, Check Your Model Here!
Join our free Facebook group and ask your question there. We promise you, you’ll get an answer from one of our team members or group members. Join the group here!
1. Overheating
Some overheating problems may be complex. For example, a customer complains,
“I bought a new 1000 general in December and have had nothing but overheating issues with it ever then. I didn’t get to ride it much until approximately April because I live in Iowa, and it was cold, but I put about two tanks of gas into it just checking on food plots and doing other hunting-related things.
Then, on 10th May, it began to overheat. I took it to the dealership, and on May 26 they called to say it was finished, and that they had replaced the thermostat. I picked it up, and it overheated the first time I took it out. Despite the dealer’s efforts over eight months, the problem persists. After the third or fourth occasion, I went above the dealership and contacted Polaris. They gave me $500 towards the Polaris store after this last patch; at this point, all I needed was an extended warranty because I don’t trust this machine.”
No doubt, this is a challenging situation.
However, in most cases, the overheating occurs due to simple reasons. Mud, debris, grass, and weeds all clog the tiny slots that let the radiator release heat and give cooled coolant to the engine. When the air vents become clogged, the radiator can’t disperse heat, and your engine will quickly overheat. So, you have to maintain the engine exterior and your radiator screen and core clean.
Check the thermostat and the fan’s rotational direction. Is it drawing air in from the front? The fan will rotate in the wrong direction if you reverse the wires to the battery. If the problem persists, get help from guys with a thorough understanding of the rigs. OEM Polaris General 1000 thermostat replacement costs around $25.70.
2. Clutch Issues
A clutch problem can manifest in various ways. For example, a customer says,
“I own a 2018 Polaris General 1000. To shift in and out of gear, you may need to turn off the engine. Also, the belt smells burned, and the engine isn’t running at full speed. Clutches exhibit minor wear, but nothing that appears to condemn them to me. The sheaves on the drive clutch have a few grooves, but nothing too bad. How do I figure out which clutch is the issue?”
Another customer reports:
“I have 2019 general 1000 with 5000 miles. At 3500 miles, I replaced the belt. At greater speeds, 50-60mph, I notice a feeling of slipping. It slips, then grabs, then the slips, etc… At 35-45 mph, it appears to shift when I turned off the gas. I sprayed water in the air intake while power washing and got the belt wet. It slipped big time. I ease on the throttle and take it easy, and it goes smoothly. I detect no flat spots or wear on the belt. A slightly glazed appearance. My 3500-mile belt still looks new. Belt or clutch issue? I’m considering reinstalling my original belt. And watch how it goes. Is there any advice or similarities out there?”
A defective clutch can also lead to frequent belt failures. The clutch kit attaches directly to the crankshaft on the engine. You need some special tools to remove and service the clutch. Often the problem is with the worn-out components of the primary clutch like the clutch bearings, one-way bearing, or the “arms” of the clutch kit. They wear out from use over time and need replacement. You may also need to split the secondary clutch and examine the rollers and cam.
Also read: 5 x Most Common Polaris Clutch Problems!
The one-way bearing might become stuck or tight, resulting in drag and difficult shifting. If you leave your machine idling for an extended period, the rollers in the clutch kit will wear out. Debris and dust can also cause the EBS lockout shim for primary clutches, the plastic one-way bearing helix, to fail. Gear shift problems that only occur when the engine is running may arise from a high idle or clutch or belt issues.
If the clutch spring is weak, the clutches are dirty, or the driving clutch causes the belt to become too tight, you will have gear shift issues. Gear shifting troubles can also arise from a worn or shredded drive belt, misaligned clutches, a defective or loose engine mount, or an aftermarket drive belt. You may need a new belt. If you aren’t mechanically inclined, get an experienced mechanic to fix it. OEM Polaris General 1000 clutch kit cost ranges from $259.95 to $432.99. OEM Polaris General 1000 clutch drive belt is around $199.99.
3. Engine Problems
A customer says:
“2017 Polaris General 1000 problem: The seat belt bypass plug was severed and shorted out. It won’t crank, much less start. When I use the key to start the machine, only the Dash lights up. Headlights, winch, and accessories don’t work. There is no power in the auxiliary power block. Everything is connected properly, including inline fuses and relays. I took the starter solenoid out, and it ran OK, but it won’t start. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.”
This problem may relate to a bad master cylinder pressure switch. If you step on the brake and there is no brake light, the master cylinder switch is faulty. You can confirm it by going to the brake master cylinder and unplugging the connector that links to it. Use a small gauge wire or tie wire and insert it into the jumper across (connector). If the machine starts, you have a bad master cylinder pressure switch.
You may also experience a range of engine issues like hard start, miss, backfire, engine idling but will not rev up or engine running but will not idle, or power loss. You can try some simple troubleshooting to figure out what is wrong.
- Look at the spark plug. Replace the spark plug in the boot after removing it from the cylinder head. Check for a spark on the spark plug after starting the engine to see if it is working. Replace the plug if it is faulty. Check the coil and replace it if it isn’t working.
- Inspect the gas tank and fuel and air filters for water or blockage. Make sure the gas tank is full.
- Check the fuel system, including the tank vent, fuel line, sieve, gas valve, and fuel pump. Remove the fuel line and start the engine to see if fuel flows. A faulty fuel pump can cause engine problems, including hard starts, misses, stalling, sputters, backfires, and engine shut down while driving. Test the fuel pump pressure with a fuel pressure gauge attached to the tank outlet, PSI during regular operation. Replace a faulty fuel pump. OEM General 1000 replacement fuel pump goes for $79.98.
- Examine the engine compression. A compression tester kit for a leak-down test can help to check for compression loss. Compression loss usually stems from a blown piston ring and leaking or worn-out head gasket. Polaris OEM engine head gasket for General 1000 costs around US$ 50.00
4. Transmission Problems
The reverse chain is one of the most prevalent Polaris General transmissions problems. The reverse chain can snap when you get stuck and throw it into reverse. Consider upgrading to a double reverse chain to give you nearly twice the strength of the stock. Transmission problems can also arise from wear and tear on the belt, the drive clutch defects or misalignment, and cheap parts.
Also read: 6 x Most Common Polaris Transmission Problems!
Often, the issues develop due to lack of maintenance, abuse, extreme use, or poor driving technique. For example, a customer reports “It was a hot day, so I opted to ride the G. About an hour into the trip my buddy informed me that I was losing fluid out the rear. I’m not sure what caused it, but it appears that a gear failed and blew out half of the casing.”
If you bust your transmission casing, you need to replace it. An OEM transmission casing for General 1000 costs $469.95 to $939.90. Consider upgrading to the heavy-duty transmission for better reliability and performance. It costs $2,600.00 – $4,600.00.
Featured image: https://www.polaris-orv.media/
