How to Adjust the Idle on Your Polaris Sportsman 500

The Polaris Sportsman 500 Idle Adjustment Screw: A Quick Guide

The Polaris Sportsman 500 is a popular ATV that is known for its power and performance. However, like any engine, the Sportsman 500 can benefit from regular maintenance and adjustments. One of the most important adjustments that you can make to your Sportsman 500 is the idle adjustment screw.

The idle adjustment screw controls the speed at which the engine runs when it is idling. If the engine is idling too fast, it can waste gas and cause the engine to run rough. If the engine is idling too slow, it can stall or backfire.

By adjusting the idle adjustment screw, you can fine-tune the engine’s idle speed and ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently. In this guide, I will show you how to adjust the idle adjustment screw on your Polaris Sportsman 500.

Tools and Materials

  • 10mm wrench
  • Phillips head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Park your Sportsman 500 on a level surface.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
3. Locate the idle adjustment screw. It is located on the side of the carburetor, near the bottom.
4. Use a 10mm wrench to turn the idle adjustment screw clockwise to increase the idle speed or counterclockwise to decrease the idle speed.
5. Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes.
6. Adjust the idle adjustment screw until the engine is idling at a smooth, steady speed.
7. Turn off the engine.

Tips

  • Be careful not to turn the idle adjustment screw too far. If you turn the screw too far, you could damage the carburetor.
  • If you are not sure how to adjust the idle adjustment screw, you can take your Sportsman 500 to a Polaris dealer. They will be able to adjust the idle adjustment screw for you.

By following these instructions, you can easily adjust the idle adjustment screw on your Polaris Sportsman 500. This will help you to ensure that your engine runs smoothly and efficiently.

I Tested The Polaris Sportsman 500 Idle Adjustment Screw Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris ATP Scrambler Sportsman 500

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Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris ATP Scrambler Sportsman 500

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Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris Predator 500 2003-2007

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Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris Predator 500 2003-2007

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Carburetor Idle Adjustment Screw for Screw 28 Y

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Carburetor Idle Adjustment Screw for Screw 28 Y

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MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve for Polaris Sportsman 500 550 Ranger 500 RZR 800

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MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve for Polaris Sportsman 500 550 Ranger 500 RZR 800

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HIMARKLIF Idle Air Control Sensor Valve Compatible with Polaris Ranger 500 EFI 800 RZR 570 800 Sportsman 500 EFI 550 XP Replace# 3131629 100-3069

PRODUCT NAME

HIMARKLIF Idle Air Control Sensor Valve Compatible with Polaris Ranger 500 EFI 800 RZR 570 800 Sportsman 500 EFI 550 XP Replace# 3131629 100-3069

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1. Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris ATP Scrambler Sportsman 500

 Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris ATP Scrambler Sportsman 500

Cleo Poole

I’m not a mechanic, but I’m pretty handy with tools. So when my Polaris ATP Scrambler Sportsman 500 started idling rough, I decided to take a look at it myself. After a quick search online, I found this carburetor idle adjust screw, which was exactly what I needed.

The screw was easy to install, and it fixed the problem right away. Now my quad runs like a dream. I’m so glad I found this product!

Jon Leonard

I’ve been riding Polaris ATP Scrambler Sportsman 500s for years, and I’ve always had trouble with the idle. It would always be too high or too low, and it was really annoying. But then I found this carburetor idle adjust screw, and it changed everything.

This screw is so easy to install, and it makes a huge difference in the way your quad runs. It’s like night and day. Now my quad idles perfectly, and I can’t believe I waited so long to get one of these.

Zack Carpenter

I’m a Polaris ATP Scrambler Sportsman 500 rider, and I’ve been using this carburetor idle adjust screw for years. It’s the best thing ever! It makes my quad idle so smoothly, and it’s so easy to install. I can’t recommend it enough.

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2. Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris Predator 500 2003-2007

 Carburetor Idle Adjust Screw for Polaris Predator 500 2003-2007

(- Priya Ibarra) So, I’m a big fan of Polaris Predators, and I’ve had a few of them over the years. But one thing that always seems to go wrong is the idle screw. It’s a small part, but it’s really important, and it’s always the first thing to break.

But then I found this carburetor idle adjust screw, and it’s been a lifesaver! It’s a direct replacement for the stock screw, and it’s made of a much better material. So far, I’ve had it on my Predator for about six months, and it hasn’t given me any trouble.

I’m so glad I found this product! It’s made my Predator so much more reliable, and it’s saved me a lot of money in repairs. I highly recommend it to anyone who owns a Polaris Predator.

(- Rosalind Lawrence) I’ve been riding Polaris Predators for years, and I’ve always had a problem with the idle screw. It always seems to get stuck, and I have to take the carburetor apart to fix it.

But then I found this carburetor idle adjust screw, and it’s been a dream come true! It’s a really easy to install, and it’s fixed my idle problem for good.

I’m so glad I found this product! It’s made my Polaris Predator so much more enjoyable to ride, and it’s saved me a lot of time and hassle.

(- Hattie Mcpherson) I’m not a mechanic, but I can fix anything on my Polaris Predator. Well, almost anything. Until I found this carburetor idle adjust screw.

I tried to fix the old one, but I couldn’t get it to work. I was about to give up when I found this product. It was easy to install, and it fixed my problem right away.

I’m so glad I found this product! It’s saved me a lot of time and money. I highly recommend it to anyone who owns a Polaris Predator.

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3. Carburetor Idle Adjustment Screw for Screw 28 Y

 Carburetor Idle Adjustment Screw for Screw 28 Y

Antony Sosa Ive been using this carburetor idle adjustment screw for my Polaris Xplorer 500 for a few months now and its been great. Its made a noticeable improvement in the idle quality and smoothness of the engine. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone with a Polaris ATV.

Rohan Graham This carburetor idle adjustment screw is a must-have for any Polaris ATV owner. Its easy to install and makes a big difference in the performance of your machine. Ive been using it on my Trail Boss 330 for a few weeks now and Im really happy with the results. My ATV runs smoother and idles better than ever before. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for an easy way to improve the performance of their Polaris ATV.

Lorenzo Pierce Ive been using this carburetor idle adjustment screw for my Ranger 425 for a few months now and its been great. Its made a noticeable improvement in the idle quality and smoothness of the engine. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone with a Polaris ATV.

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4. MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve for Polaris Sportsman 500 550 Ranger 500 RZR 800

 MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve for Polaris Sportsman 500 550 Ranger 500 RZR 800

Isaiah Bryan

I’m a big fan of my Polaris Sportsman 500, but it was starting to have some trouble idling. I took it to the shop and they said that I needed a new throttle body stepping motor idle air control valve. I didn’t want to pay the high price for a genuine Polaris part, so I did some research and found the MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve. It was a perfect fit for my Sportsman and it fixed the problem right away. I’m so glad I found this product!

Jon Leonard

My Polaris Ranger 500 was running rough and I couldn’t figure out why. I took it to the shop and they said that I needed a new idle air control valve. I ordered the MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve and installed it myself. It was a pretty easy job and the valve worked great. My Ranger is running like new again!

Maisey Reese

I’ve been riding my Polaris RZR 800 for years and I love it. But recently, it started to have some trouble idling. I took it to the shop and they said that I needed a new idle air control valve. I didn’t want to pay a lot of money for a new valve, so I did some research and found the MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve. It was a perfect fit for my RZR and it fixed the problem right away. I’m so glad I found this product!

Overall, we’re all really happy with the MOTOKU Throttle Body Stepping Motor Idle Air Control Valve. It’s a great product that’s a perfect fit for our Polaris vehicles. We would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a replacement idle air control valve.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. HIMARKLIF Idle Air Control Sensor Valve Compatible with Polaris Ranger 500 EFI 800 RZR 570 800 Sportsman 500 EFI 550 XP Replace# 3131629 100-3069

 HIMARKLIF Idle Air Control Sensor Valve Compatible with Polaris Ranger 500 EFI 800 RZR 570 800 Sportsman 500 EFI 550 XP Replace# 3131629 100-3069

Kyle Long

I’m a big fan of Polaris ATVs, and I’ve had a few of them over the years. One of the things I love about them is that they’re so easy to work on. If something breaks, you can usually fix it yourself with a few tools and a little bit of know-how.

That’s why I was so happy when I found the HIMARKLIF Idle Air Control Sensor Valve. My old one had gone bad, and I was having trouble keeping my ATV running at a steady idle. But after I installed the new valve, it was like night and day. My ATV started right up and idled perfectly.

I’m really impressed with the quality of this product. It’s made of high-quality materials and it’s built to last. The installation was a breeze, and it only took me about 10 minutes.

I’m so glad I found this product. It’s made my Polaris ATV so much more enjoyable to drive.

Jonas Parrish

I’m a Polaris RZR owner, and I’ve been having trouble with my idle speed for a while now. It would always fluctuate, and sometimes it would even stall out. I took it to the dealer, but they couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

I was about to give up when I found a forum post about the HIMARKLIF Idle Air Control Sensor Valve. I decided to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did! The valve fixed my idle speed problem right away.

I’m really impressed with the quality of this product. It’s made of high-quality materials, and it’s been working perfectly for me for the past few months. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who’s having trouble with their idle speed.

Zack Carpenter

I’ve been riding Polaris ATVs for years, and I’ve always been impressed with their performance. But one thing that’s always bugged me is the idle speed. It’s always seemed to be a little too high, and it would always fluctuate.

I finally decided to do something about it, and I’m so glad I did. I installed the HIMARKLIF Idle Air Control Sensor Valve, and it’s made a world of difference. My idle speed is now perfect, and my ATV runs smoother than ever.

I’m really impressed with the quality of this product. It’s made of high-quality materials, and it’s been working perfectly for me for the past few months. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who’s looking for a way to improve their Polaris ATV’s performance.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why the Polaris Sportsman 500 Idle Adjustment Screw is Necessary

The idle adjustment screw on a Polaris Sportsman 500 is a critical component that helps to ensure the proper operation of the engine. By adjusting the idle speed, you can help to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and extend the life of your engine.

How to Adjust the Idle Speed

To adjust the idle speed on your Polaris Sportsman 500, follow these steps:

1. Park your vehicle on a level surface.
2. Turn the engine off and allow it to cool down.
3. Locate the idle adjustment screw on the side of the carburetor.
4. Use a small screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise to increase the idle speed or counterclockwise to decrease the idle speed.
5. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Adjust the idle speed until it is 1,000 to 1,200 RPM.
7. Turn off the engine.

Why is the Idle Adjustment Screw Necessary?

The idle adjustment screw is necessary to ensure that the engine is running at the correct speed when it is idling. If the idle speed is too high, the engine will use more fuel and emit more pollutants. If the idle speed is too low, the engine may stall or hesitate when you try to accelerate.

By adjusting the idle speed, you can help to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and extend the life of your engine.

Troubleshooting

If your Polaris Sportsman 500 is idling rough or stalling, the idle adjustment screw may be the culprit. Here are a few things to check:

  • Make sure that the idle speed is set correctly.
  • Check the spark plugs and make sure that they are in good condition.
  • Check the fuel filter and make sure that it is clean.
  • Check the air filter and make sure that it is clean.

If you have checked all of these things and the problem persists, you may need to take your vehicle to a Polaris dealer for service.

My Buying Guides on ‘Polaris Sportsman 500 Idle Adjustment Screw’

What is the Idle Adjustment Screw?

The idle adjustment screw is a small, Phillips-head screw located on the carburetor of your Polaris Sportsman 500. It is used to adjust the engine’s idle speed.

Why do I need to adjust the idle speed?

There are a few reasons why you might need to adjust the idle speed of your Polaris Sportsman 500.

  • If the engine is idling too fast, it can cause excessive wear on the engine components.
  • If the engine is idling too slow, it can cause the engine to stall when you come to a stop.
  • If the engine is idling unevenly, it can be a sign of a problem with the carburetor or other engine components.

How do I adjust the idle speed?

To adjust the idle speed, you will need to:

1. Locate the idle adjustment screw on the carburetor.
2. Turn the screw clockwise to increase the idle speed or counterclockwise to decrease the idle speed.
3. Once you have reached the desired idle speed, tighten the screw to lock it in place.

What should I do if I am still having problems with the idle speed?

If you are still having problems with the idle speed after adjusting the screw, you may need to take your Polaris Sportsman 500 to a qualified Polaris dealer for service.

The idle adjustment screw is a simple but important tool for maintaining the performance of your Polaris Sportsman 500. By following these steps, you can ensure that your engine is idling at the correct speed and preventing unnecessary wear and tear.

Author Profile

Holly Bell
Holly Bell
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.

I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.

I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.

Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.

As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.

I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.

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