I would suggest not getting a polaris ranger 800

AroniaFarmer · Feb 8, 2014

So let me say this right off the bat- I am not brand bashing, but giving you the straight up story of what has been going on with my ranger.

So I bought a polaris ranger 800 EFI late 2011 it's basically a 2012. Bought it in the winter and didn't have any problems. Use it throughout the next summer of 2012, still going good. We hit winter 2012/2013 that's where the problems, at least became apparent. Hard cold starting. Never a one try any more at least 2 and at some points plain just wouldn't. Extremely light ticking I start to here as I continue to use it. Only noticeable at idle. Not pin point able. For all I knew it could've been a clutch rattle. Get into last summer and that's where stuff goes even worse. Erratic idle, surging high idle have to shut it off to get it in gear. Anyway now we are here. I have a second utv that I used so for a few months the ranger sat somewhat. Still used, no old fuel problems nothing like that just didn't have time to get it to the dealer so we used the other one. Cold weather is setting in now, (well back a few months) and the things running like a bag of crap. Get it to the dealer and the crappy running was a frayed wire haha. BUT the ticking that they noticed too, is basically $1200 dollar problem. They say you have to take the whole top end off to get to the valves which I do believe. But really the machine has 211 hours and 1200 miles on it and they have to take the freakin cylinders off it? They think it's the cam and I do to because it probably has low compression and that's the cause of hard starting. Oil has been changed by only them, and really it hasn't been abused.
Now I can't trade it in without spending that at least a grand getting it fixed. So I'd be walking away with something like 3500 dollars all said and done. Not too great for a 3 year old machine with 1200 miles on it... If you've even read this far, I thank you.
What should I do? I'm just inclined to use it until it won't start, or close to it, and take it to an auction. What are your guys opinions open to every thing. Thanks.

Redneck in training · Feb 9, 2014

Obviously it is out of warranty. I would fix it by myself or with mechanicaly incline friend. If it is a valve you need to take off the head only. But before you do it take off the valve cover and check the valve springs and valve adjustment.

troutsqueezer · Feb 9, 2014

Since you have a second UTV I think you should take your own sweet time and fix it yourself. Shouldn't cost much. Would be a learning experience and you would have something worthwhile when you are finished. These engines are not rocket surgery, you can handle it. Take plenty of pictures along the way.

bdog · Feb 9, 2014

I'll give you $3500 for it as it sits.

beemerphile · Feb 9, 2014

You say it is not Brand-bashing, but your title after an experience with a single unit is "I would suggest not getting a polaris ranger 800". I would suggest a better title is "I would suggest not getting MY Polaris Ranger 800".

My 2007 Ranger has been perfect since new. Still on the original belt and I have done all of my own maintenance.

Mine doesn't make them "good" and yours doesn't make them "bad". They are machines.

lostcreekranch · Feb 9, 2014

We have a 2007 Ranger XP 700 EFI that, other than a few flat tires, has been trouble free. It gets regular maintenance.

Maybe change title to "I wish I would have bought a 2007 Ranger". ;-)

mark02tj · Feb 9, 2014

Have you asked your dealer to talk to the factory rep? I used to work for a lawn & garden equipment dealer many years ago and we would occasionally call our reps to help out in situation like this. As you sad, its a relatively new macine with low hours. The dealer has done the scheduled maintenance. Even though its out of warrenty, internal parts shouldnt be failing after so few hours. You might be surprised what the dealer can do. If he wont contact the manufacturer, do it yoyrself. Be polite. Be professional. Remember - you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Good luck with it.

lostcause · Feb 9, 2014

AroniaFarmer said:
They think it's the cam and I do to because it probably has low compression and that's the cause of hard starting

"think" and "probably" are a pretty loose diagnosis to warrant a $1200 repair. a compression test can verify the issue, and if you know how to read the test it can often pinpoint the problem. a compression tester is a $20-$30 tool, and if you own any sort of spark fired engine, it's an invaluable testing tool to own. low holding compression could indicate a worn cam. slowly leaking down compression can indicate worn piston/rings/cylinder. no compression or fast compression loss could be a valve issue. if you see a difference from one cylinder to the next, it's unlikely to be a worn cam. the odds of wear on individual lobes is pretty thin. if you have a "lifter tick", that is not normally an indicator for a worn cam. that is the result of a bad lifter or bent pushrod. a bent or dislocated pushrod can cause the issues you describe.

you never once mentioned anything about fixing this yourself, so i'm thinking that any sort of diagnosis or repair isn't in the plans. if that is the case, you're going to need to get a good diagnostic and then figure out who you are going to have repair it. if i weren't going to do the repair myself i would find out how much the parts and labor breakdown is. then you can see if a lower cost per hour shop could save you any money. if indeed you do need a cam then you are likely going to have to spend a lot of money on parts alone. the cost of all the gaskets alone will add up in a hurry.

it's easy to get upset over the cost of repairs, but the thing to always remember is that there are thousands of other people out there with the same machine, and in this case you just drew the short straw and had the bad luck. s**t happens. i never blame the manufacturer unless i find that every single one they sold has the same problem.

zionview · Feb 9, 2014

I run a Polaris at work. I wouldn't take it as a gift. I'm glad most privately owned units are working well for their owners, but from my experience, I wouldn't buy one. This one needs 12 volts going to the rear to keep it in 2-wheel drive. The wire rubbed through on the frame and took the rear axle out. It starts hard all winter. None of the doors keep the weather out. The accelerator can't be feathered and it lunges in low and reverse. It is so noisy inside when running it, you can't communicate with your passenger. It was on its second engine when it was assigned to me, and it used oil from the start. Hopefully, it's just a lemon.