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1997 Polaris SLT700 Project
Hey guys!
New member here. Looking forward to participating on the forums. Please don't expect me to be a "post once then leave" type of guy. No newb to forums here. I've actually been reading the forums for quite a while now while doing research for my project. Figured I'd finally post something!
At the beginning of the summer I purchased a used 1997 Polaris SLT700 for $300 on Craigslist. I was told that everything was there except for a piston which was taken out by the previous owner for another SLT700. It took me a while, but I've finally had the time to start tearing into it and figure out what I've gotten myself into with this project. I have experience working on boats, cars, trucks, engines, so I know my way around the basics. I recently completed a complete tear-down/rebuild on a 10 hp Techumseh engine for a go-kart project that I'll probably never finish
which was a great learning experience as far as engines go... best way to learn is on a simple one cylinder engine!
When I got into my SLT700, the piston was of course gone as expected. I ordered a replacement from Ebay and was able to install it and put everything back together. The wiring was a MESS but after many hours reading around on your forum, I think I've got everything back together correctly, at least enough to try and get it working. Keep in mind that my intentions for this PWC project are to at least evaluate what I've got, get it running enough for one test run on the water, and then spend the winter completely rebuilding/restoring it.
I replaced both spark plugs with brand new ones verified by the factory service manual so kindly provided by another user on this site. I've got a new battery hooked up. So far, I can get spark out of both plugs. I can also get the engine to turn over, very well. Cranks like a champ! The fuel tank was full of crap so I cleaned it out very well (using a shop vac) and put in five gallons of fresh premium. Then I realized that all of the fuel lines are probably shot, so I pulled them all out. Let me insert here that when I was replacing the piston, the previous owner had taken out the carb so when I put it back in I wasn't sure of the correct fuel line hookup to the tank anyway.
So, with spark from both plugs, engine cranking over extremely well, a fully charged battery, and a generous squirt of starting fluid into each carb, I figured I would at least get a cough and a sputter. Nothing. Engine still cranks over very well of course, but no indication of a fire. I even tried removing both plugs, spraying some starting fluid, and replacing the plugs, but nothing. I also read on here about removing the spark plug boots, cutting off a little bit of the wire, and then re-installing the boots for a better spark. Did that as well.
I've reached the extent of my knowledge and am stumped even after trying to search for solutions online. Could you guys please provide some insight on what I should be troubleshooting next? Thanks a ton in advance!
Some pics:
New member here. Looking forward to participating on the forums. Please don't expect me to be a "post once then leave" type of guy. No newb to forums here. I've actually been reading the forums for quite a while now while doing research for my project. Figured I'd finally post something!
At the beginning of the summer I purchased a used 1997 Polaris SLT700 for $300 on Craigslist. I was told that everything was there except for a piston which was taken out by the previous owner for another SLT700. It took me a while, but I've finally had the time to start tearing into it and figure out what I've gotten myself into with this project. I have experience working on boats, cars, trucks, engines, so I know my way around the basics. I recently completed a complete tear-down/rebuild on a 10 hp Techumseh engine for a go-kart project that I'll probably never finish
which was a great learning experience as far as engines go... best way to learn is on a simple one cylinder engine!When I got into my SLT700, the piston was of course gone as expected. I ordered a replacement from Ebay and was able to install it and put everything back together. The wiring was a MESS but after many hours reading around on your forum, I think I've got everything back together correctly, at least enough to try and get it working. Keep in mind that my intentions for this PWC project are to at least evaluate what I've got, get it running enough for one test run on the water, and then spend the winter completely rebuilding/restoring it.
I replaced both spark plugs with brand new ones verified by the factory service manual so kindly provided by another user on this site. I've got a new battery hooked up. So far, I can get spark out of both plugs. I can also get the engine to turn over, very well. Cranks like a champ! The fuel tank was full of crap so I cleaned it out very well (using a shop vac) and put in five gallons of fresh premium. Then I realized that all of the fuel lines are probably shot, so I pulled them all out. Let me insert here that when I was replacing the piston, the previous owner had taken out the carb so when I put it back in I wasn't sure of the correct fuel line hookup to the tank anyway.
So, with spark from both plugs, engine cranking over extremely well, a fully charged battery, and a generous squirt of starting fluid into each carb, I figured I would at least get a cough and a sputter. Nothing. Engine still cranks over very well of course, but no indication of a fire. I even tried removing both plugs, spraying some starting fluid, and replacing the plugs, but nothing. I also read on here about removing the spark plug boots, cutting off a little bit of the wire, and then re-installing the boots for a better spark. Did that as well.
I've reached the extent of my knowledge and am stumped even after trying to search for solutions online. Could you guys please provide some insight on what I should be troubleshooting next? Thanks a ton in advance!
Some pics:
57.9 MPH GPS @ 6780 RPM)
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