Polaris Indy 500 - How To Clean and Synchronize the Carbs 

I am 15 and just got my first snowmobile and i have done carbs on atvs, lawn mowers, weed wackers etc.. This is really helpful and makes me feel comfortable with working on the carbs.

Best video I've seen yet on synchronizing the Polaris carbs. Mirrors what is in the factory service manual with a great explanation of why the two different drill gauge sizes. Well done !

Great video, for myself who is just starting to get into snowmobiling and has to do do my own maintenance, this is very very helpful, thank you , Toronto Canada

we do a lot of wrenching at our shop here in AK, many machines come in and out, but we never ever got to learn this, thanks a bunch, hope you're all safe. 👍✌🤘🤙👊

Love your videos Tom! Thanks for sharing all the knowledge with the world! It’s definitely appreciated.

Using a drill bit for a feeler gauge, I would have never thought to do this, thank you very much!

I looked for a video like this for so long. And I could not find one in depth enough. So I downloaded the shop manual and did my best, but I missed a step (the 1/4” bit), and I’ve been suffering trying to figure out why it won’t idle but it sounds fine when running. Thank you so much!

Nice explanation Streeter. Very informative and my '96 Classic will get a once over to see how close I've got the carbs set to factory. Thanks again!

So glad I found you last night searching for help. Thanks skeeter!

This was really cool to watch. Never messed with a sled carb, pops wants to buy a few tomorrow. Ive done a bunch of small engine stuff but never a snowmobile. Subscribed instantly, i bet this channel is gonna help me a lot this summer. I appreciate ya man , for taking the time to teach.

This video was very easy to follow along to, got my 96 polaris xcr 600 sp all dialed in for the season.

Thanks! This was just the information I was looking for. Turns out it's not black magic to sync carbs once you know the technique.

Best explanation and procedure ive seen to date,think i can now tackle this on my 90 400 indy polaris.thanks,snooky pa.

By far the best video! I've been watching these other videos and they are way wrong! I've been wondering why my sled won't run right. Well that's due to the fact others have been mis informing everyone! Thank you so much!

Great video and easy to follow, thanks Streeter

Best carb vid I've seen,great job.

Awesome video. I’m working on my Indy Trail 488 Fan right now just cleaned the carbs, next step is synchronizing them like this just need to find a manual to find the spacing.

Thanks for making this vid man, just sold my 94 mach z and bought a 97 Indy 500. Took apart those mikuni slide carbs on the Mach probably 63 times and could do it in my sleep. But I look at the carbs on the Indy and it looks crazy. The Indy also takes 8 pulls to start so it may be time for a carb clean.

I just learned something new! Lol. And, I don't even own a 500. Lol. Smart man!!! Thanks

Excellent video, thanks for posting!

Thank you for this helpful video!

That garage sign is awesome!!!!

So I have a 1998 Indy 500. Ran great until I ran out of gas. Oops! To excited for first snow fall and didn't bother to check gas gage. I watched this video and then followed each step through and through. This machine runs better then I bet it has in a long time. This thing completely rips for it age. Its my first but it is in great condition! I just want to say "thank you for sharing your knowledge and going to great lengths to make the video". Im greatly appreciative! Thank you!

Thank you for being a great teacher!

Very well done! Made me a subscriber.

Great video! Nice job!

Well done ! Awesome video.

Great tutorial. Made me a subscriber as well.

I needed this!

any tips for first time carb clean? i heard somewhere that you should engage the choke before taking off the throttle cables. also curious if i should have a gas tank ready to drain my fuel lines? my tank is full and am in some need of a tune up. any other hints after confirming the two questions above?

Awesome video and very in depth and easy to understand. Is there a procedure for making sure both slides are fully open at full throttle. Thx

Easy Peasy ......Nice job explaining .

Nice job on the video 👍🏻

Great video. Just picked up my first project sled- 98 Indy 500 RMK with 800 miles that hasn't been run in about 6 years. When I was trying to remove the fuel line to the carb by twisting the fuel line and pulling gently the fuel nipple pulled out of the carb body. Didn't break just pulled straight out. I can cut the fuel line off and easily push the fuel nipple back in but I'm afraid it will leak or pull out. How do I re-attach the fuel nipple to the carb body? Thanks for any help.

This is great, just got a 99 Indy touring and I’m doing some trouble shoring. Curious what little brass nipples that look like vacuum line hookups on the carbs are supposed to hook up to?

Great video, just picked up a 97' My bowl vent lines are jacked up. Any chance you have a diagram of how they should look. I only have one check valve, should there be two? I also don't see them plumbed into the airbox on your machine. Mine has two barbs on the airbox. Thanks for any help you can render.

Good video. Thank you. Any tips for getting the choke cable end out of the carburetor? I’m afraid I’m going to break the cable pulling on it. Been soaking with WD40

That was a great explanation . I have to replace throttle cable/w injection cable and was wondering about settings. This is a 440 indy fan cooled , but I imagine that it's the same.

Awesome video!

Thank-you for the great vid !

Thanks for the video man! I got a 96 Indy 500. Needing to tune it up 500Lc engine any tips on what to do? Need to put new track in. Same carb process? It idles at like 400 rpm

I have a 2000 Polaris Indy Triumph. Looks to be the flat slides. You mentioned in another comment that you plan on bringing one in your shop and will post a video. Are these carbs one of the same, and does it still stay true that the slide adjustment pretty much dont have to be changed, but hold from the manufacturer? Are the rest of the settings set the same like in this video? Btw..., the seat cover I installed last week looks great. Thanks for all the help.

Helpful video! Only question i have for ya is if you know what the stock needle clip position is on these sleds?

Hey I tried you technique after cleaning my carbs on my 98 Indy 500 and have a couple questions. I know it’s running lean as it’s idling at 3 grand now, I tried backing off on the big idler screws but am wondering if I should tune the air screws as well? Also would it be accurate to run without to air box for tuning purposes or will this make it run even more lean while it’s off? Any suggestions on richening it up a bit? Thanks for the video though my slides are now synced which is a plus

I was cleaning the carbs on my Polaris but it has the flat side carbs. I found that the float arm is all plastic, as is the rod for the float arms. I tried to use a mini flat head as a punch on the plastic pin but I put a tiny crack in the tower arm. It doesn't seem to affect the level of the floats whatsoever, but should I replace it anyways?

Hey have a 1988 Polaris Indy 650 triple wondering if you know what the adjustment would be for the throttle can’t seem to find anything for them? Would it still be the 7/32 and 1/4 drill bits?

Can this work on a 2010 Polaris IQ Shift 550? My idle is still kind of high. I took them apart and cleaned everything in the carbs. Or does it need to measured different? I did not get the service manual when bought.

Funny I followed this exactly and then when I put the Airbox back in and used the tie downs for the throttle cable and chokes on the top of the Airbox and fired it up the thing almost drove out of the barn. Bent engineering to attach the cables to the Airbox which put more pressure on the cables and force you to guess at the tension on the cables in order to tune the carbs. Any advice on how to do it better?

I just bought a 1996 Polaris 600xlt and was wondering if your drill bit set up will work for it

Clear and concisely explained. What is base air screw and clip setting on fan edition. ...3/4 turn out and second position on clip? Thank u. Sir, subscribed

I have a 1997 indy trail touring. It idles good. Starts right up. Carbs were cleaned in ultrasonic. It will go until you smack WOT. It will backfire, bog down and then continue going. Could this be synch or something more serious like clutch or bogeys binding? Also checked compression and air leaks.

Love the video, it looks like my throttle cable they sent me is too long and when I grab it the idle comes up and it revs up I want to try and find a smaller cable do u have any recommendations?

I just got a 98 Indy light fan. I have it idling but got a bog on the low end if I put the Choke on just before I give it gas it seems to help what’s your thoughts

I’ve got a Polaris shift 550, having issues with the throttle not making contact with the safety switch on the throttle block, sled will stall if the throttle itself does not make contact with the pin, do you think this procedure will fix my issue

Great explanation, really simplified it for me. My Liberty 700 and 800's have flats sides....same drill bits?

I have a 98 Indy 500, just put a carb rebuild kit in it. It idles around 1500 but when I press the throttle to full throttle from idle it wants to die out, I have to feather it up for it to reach high rpm, only about twice or three times. Still rideable, goes good. My air screw is at 1.5-1.75 turns out from tight. Is there a reason it does that or is it suppose to do that? Should I bring the air screw back to only .75 turns out from tight? Saw a video that said 1.5-1.75 that’s why it’s set there. Thanks in advance

Thanks a lot for the video. My indy xlt is idling way too high all of the sudden. I will try to reset them to factory today and see if that will fix it.

Nicely done.

Hey Boss, I have 96 500 LC. I followed the video to a T now I have a high idle usually it was b/w 1200-1700 now it’s at like 3200-3500. Wondering what I should do. I didn’t touch the side adjustment at all tried slightly turning out throttle cables didn’t really do much. Any help is appreciated god bless

Good morning, It was a nice informative video. I have a 99 Polaris XC 500 and it has different carbs. Can you do a video of rebuilding that set and how to adjust and sink them since they are not like the regular choke on these carbs you did on this video? Thanks so much and enjoyed your video.

so on my 93 Indy, the little green hose I have gas pouring out of, is that a breather tube or what is that one on the side of the carb

Hi I have a 1993 polaris indy 500cc classic touring what size bits did you use to sync the carbs please help

Hey man thinking of buying a polaris 600 x edge 2001, it needs the carbs synced up. I know nothing about carbureted engines, snowmobiles, dirt bikes or any of the fun stuff. Do you think I could do this?

Hi there I have a problem with my snowmobile it wouldn't stop backfiring it's got clean gas good spark plugs I just found out it has a broken throttle needle would that cause it to backfire

I have a 2004 arctic cat firecat 600, where would i find the specs for the carbs? Ive tried looking for shop manuals but its confusing because there was also an efi model.

Thank you so much-this video helped me get a couple of old Polaris sleds running perfectly. I just got the kids an old 1989 Polaris 400 snowmobile (model# 0880759 s/n 1507596). The guy who sold it to me says it was running when he parked it a couple of years ago so it’ll need the carbs cleaned. I’ve looked through all the old manuals for this year and model online and even spoken to my Polaris dealer and nobody and tell me what the spec is for carb synchronization. What would you do in this situation where I have no way of finding out mfg specs?

Awesome! You are great! thank you so much.🤙

Trying to synchronize the carbs on a 1997 Arctic Cat 550, do you know what they should be set at?

Doing this today on a '96 classic touring, great video! Did that once years ago but forgot the procedure. What's the make of that service lift? I need me one!

Great info !!!!!

What adjustment would you suggest for riding at 7-9000 elevation? My sled is a Polaris XLT 600 Touring.

Great Video

Great video! Would these same size bits work for a 98 Indy 500 rmk? I believe it has 34mm carbs and has accs. Where could I find the measurements for it?

I just picked up a '95 indy 500. Very tough to start. Always flooding out with or without choke. Pull it over a few times, take the plugs out and they are soaked. Whats my best plan of attack? Sometimes it will fire up no problem. Guy I bought it from said he had a full service done last winter..

The indy 500 engines are some of the best engines out there period

When is necessary to replace needles and seats, after all these sleds are approaching 30 years old? Thanks

i know its an older video, but does method with the particular drill sizes apply to the Polaris 440 fan (1994) ?

Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

Where does that middle tube go in-between the carbs. Mine is not connected to anything and leaking gas thanks

Hi, 1st timer and watched 2 vids and subscribed. I like how you simplify. I have 96 Indy 500 running really good after cleaning fuel out from sitting, son rides this. My 05 Polaris 500 XC Sp has been challenging but I am almost there, I think. Rotted fuel line in tank and rust floaters from broken fuel gauge bars. When I discovered that on the engine side gas line there is pressure fit fuel line connector this made the job much easier, lol. Sled runs at high idle using the throttle and can rip around but seems to be running lean and jumpy at low speed. At idle the clutch side cylinder doesn't run. I pulled the carbs and cleaned and over tightened one of the idle screws and broke the tip in the hole, AHHHHH. This is the one on the side of the carb with the plastic thumb wheel and spring. I managed after hours to clear the hole and tapered that screw end a little until I can get a replacement. Is this the individual carb idle screw? Is it air or fuel adjustment? Just for fun I turn up the mechanical idle on top of the carbs that links the two carbs together and both cylinders run. If I pull the spark plug wire on the "good" cylinder then the "bad" cylinder runs "put, put, put". The initial setting on the screw that I didn't break was 3.5 turns out. These are different obviously then the INDY 500 carbs. I am trying to understand how they work. Do you adjust idle individually with only one cylinder running? Seems to make little difference if I adjust this thumb wheel either way. Thanks for any insights. Getting impatient waiting on parts during pandemic. Cheers from Canada

Do you have a video on how you installed the scratchers on the skis?

Any tips on where to find jet charts for these old sleds? Specifically an 88 indy trail.

Very helpful 👍🙏

Should there be a space between the throttle body and the inside of the carb when it is at idle

I’m in the process of doing this exact thing, carbs are cleaned, getting spark, and gas. However my carbs do not have those blue caps on the stem that comes off the bottom and it is leaking gas every time I pull it over. Would that be my problem? Any other advice? 98 Indy 500

For the Artic Cats, would the height and idle screw be the same 7/32 and a 1/4?

Good Job!

Quick question for you, I need help finding info on 1998 XLT 600 carb measurements

Would I use same method for an 87 Indy trail? Thanks an I love you videos.

I have an indy 500. Whwre should i get the crab rebuild kit

I noticed at first start it was boggy when you gave it throttle, mine is doing that and sometimes it’s so boggy it won’t move. But after it gets going it runs pretty good. Any idea why? Has somewhat low compression, 95 pto 100-105 mag. Thanks

I noticed tonight while cleaning my carbs that only one has the other U shaped piece with the circle in the middle. Not the piece that the main jet rests on. Does it matter which one goes where in this case?

i've been looking for weeks on the proper setting for 94 Indy Lite (340) and can't find any information anywhere on the slide heights. I purchased the only online manual I could find, that covers 10 years of Polaris sleds and all the makes, but there is nothing in there for this set up. Do you know what the opening should be, and I assume the measurement is on the intake (engine) side, not the airbox side? Any help greatly appreciated. A very good video by the way, one of the best.

Thank you for this video. Will this work for a 2002 edge 800?

Thanks brother!

Hey i hVe another question. I have the same snowmobile and cant find the same fuel pump replacement for it. All the ones im finding look different. ThNkz

Me and my brother tried this on our 98 classic touring 500 and we found that 7/32 and 1/4 wasn’t enough. So we used a 3/8th bit and backed it off about a quarter turn. Now it idles at about 2100rpms. Probably gonna back it off a tad lil hair more

Mine is a 97 600xc Triple cylinder. Is it pretty much the same, just one extra carb?

Looking for a carb rebuild kit for 05 indy 500. Can't find one.

What years of 500 will this cover ?? I’ve got a 96 Indy 500 l/q 121” track. Are those drill bits the settings I’d need or should I contact my dealer ? Thanks