7 Common Coleman 550 UTV Problems- How to Fix

It’s no secret that the Coleman 550 UTV is popular among off-road enthusiasts. Its affordability, accessibility, and range of features make it an attractive option for those looking for a reliable, easy-to-use vehicle. While many users are satisfied with their Coleman 550 UTV, some have encountered problems that can be easily avoided.

The common problems with the Coleman 550 UTV include:

1. The issue of engine sputter and stalling
   
2. The issue while starting the engine
   
3. The issue of gear sticking
   
4. Suspension issue
   
5. The issue of overheating
   
6. The issue of the fuel pump relay
   
7. Street legality

In this article, I will explore some of the most common problems with the Coleman 550 UTV, so you can make an informed decision when deciding whether or not to make the purchase.

1. The Issue of Engine Sputter and Stalling:

Engine sputter and stalling are the common issues faced by the Coleman 550 UTV. It is due to the idling in the vehicle or having a faulty fuel injector in the car.

There are two main reasons behind the engine sputtering and stalling in Coleman 550 UTV:

• The feature of seat belt safety
  
• Gummed throttle body

1.1. The Feature of Seat Belt Safety:

The feature of seat belt safety has an in-built sensor in the belts. However, this sensor does not permit the engine to exit limp mode.

It has a Yellow sticker to the left of the steering wheel that tells the operator that it won't run over 5 mph without the seat belt connected. Therefore, until or unless the driver's seat belt is not buckled, the vehicle can not move beyond the speed of 5 mph.

This can create the engine to sputter. It also becomes annoying for drivers who are not in the habit of buckling or unbuckling during their casual drive.

How to Fix:

A person can bypass this feature of seat belt safety by adding a seat belt blank or seat belt extender that can satisfy the sensor of the Coleman 550 UTV.

You can easily buy this from an online store at a low price, or you can buckle your seat belt too to avoid engine sputtering.

1.2. Gummed Throttle Body:

A gummed throttle body in the Coleman 550 UTV can cause sputtering or stalling noise in the vehicle and is not easy to fix.

The throttle body in the vehicle is gummed up due to the accumulation of dirt on it. It negatively affects the performance of the engine and causes idling problems.

How to Fix:

You can clean the throttle body and its part by following these steps:

• STEP 1: The first step is to remove the throttle body from the Coleman UTV.
  
• STEP 2: Spray the dirt stuck on the throttle body using a throttle body cleaner, and scrub away the sticky dirt using a scrub pad.
  
• STEP 3: Remove all the build-up in the shaft bearing area of the throttle body by cleaning them from back and forth.
  
• STEP 4: Hook all kinds of electronic connections linked with the throttle body before reinstalling it in the vehicle.
  
• STEP 5: Turn on the key and check the sliding of the throttle body.
  
• STEP 6: If the system works well, reinstall the throttle body to start the vehicle.

2. The Issue While Starting the Engine:

If your Coleman 550 UTV is facing issues with the starting of the engine, then it can be due to disruption in other components like:

• Battery
  
• Valves of engine
  
• Spark plugs
  
• Presence of old fuel in the vehicle

2.1. Battery of Engine:

The batteries of Coleman 550 UTV have been reported that they drain out quickly like those of Hisun UTV.

However, the battery drains out more quickly when it is connected to any external electronic peripheral of the vehicle.

How to Fix:

Maintaining the proper level of voltage in the battery of the Coleman 550 is essential for the fuel injection to work efficiently. The battery should always keep a voltage of 12-14 volts, and it's important to periodically test its voltage to ensure it's at the correct level.

It is essential to also check the battery cables for any loose connections or rust buildup. The wires should be tightly secured for the battery to work properly.

Also, make sure to recharge your battery when necessary to ensure that it supplies enough power for the fuel injection.

2.2. Valves of Engine:

There are two kinds of valves in the Coleman 550 UTV, including the intake and exhaust valves. The valves could be .004″ intake, and .010″ exhaust.

Keeping these valves at the proper level of clearance is important because it can affect the engine’s performance and even prevent it from starting.

The most common issue often arises when these valves tighten too much, but they can also loosen too much. Both of these scenarios can affect valve clearance, and if the clearance is not maintained at the proper level, the engine may not start.

How to Fix:

While it’s easy to maintain the valves, it still requires regular maintenance, and to perform at its best, the valves need to be appropriately adjusted.

That’s where ‘valve lash’ comes in. The valve lash is the gap between the rocker arm and the valve when the camshaft isn’t opening the valve.

This gap needs to be adjusted to the manufacturer’s specs; otherwise, it can cause severe damage to the engine, including overheating and a loss of engine power.

Adjusting the valve lash on the Coleman 550 is a relatively simple procedure and requires just a few simple tools. All you need is:

• a 5mm Allen wrench
  
• a 10mm box wrench
  
• needle nose pliers
  
• a flat feeler gauge set
  
• rags

2.3. Spark Plugs of Engine:

A fouled spark plug is one of the most common causes for difficulty starting your Coleman 550, which various issues can cause. 

If you’re having trouble starting your Coleman 550, it’s essential to check the spark plugs for any signs of corrosion or foreign substances like coolant or oil, as these can cause the spark plug to be fouled. 

When inspecting the spark plugs, it’s essential to look at the electrode gap. 

• If the gap is too wide, the spark plug won’t fire properly, resulting in poor engine performance. 

• If the gap is too narrow, the spark plug won’t fire, causing the engine not to start.

Corrosion can occur because of improper spark plug maintenance, such as not changing the spark plugs regularly.

Also, spark plugs can become corroded when they are exposed to extreme temperatures, such as when driving in the hot sun for an extended period.

How to Fix:

If you notice that the spark plugs have corrosion, it is essential to take the time to replace them. Doing this will ensure that your Coleman 550 runs as smoothly as possible.

Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that you always use high-quality replacements explicitly designed for this model.

When replacing your spark plugs, it is also essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding their installation. Doing this will ensure that your Coleman 550 is running correctly and safely.

2.4. Presence of Old Fuel in Vehicle:

If your Coleman 550 is having trouble starting after not being used for a while, it could be a sign of degraded fuel in the machine. Degraded fuel can cause your Coleman 550 to run rough, misfire, or not start.

How to Fix:

To help solve this issue, it’s essential to replace the fuel in your Coleman 550 with a fresh batch of fuel and also add some Sea Foam Motor Oil to your fuel tank.

Sea Foam Motor Oil is a special oil designed to help clean and lubricate your engine by cleaning out the fuel lines and removing any residue that accumulates over time.

This residue can cause your engine to run poorly or not start. Adding Sea Foam Motor Oil to your fuel tank can help break down any residue and flush it out of the fuel system.

3. The Issue of Gear Sticking:

This issue of gear sticking is characterized by a loud noise of grinding when you shift the gear to the low or high position, and the gear remains stuck in its place.

Such an issue could indicate a problem with the shift linkage. The gear linkage issue occurs when the lock nuts vibrate and are in a loose position.

This leads to the misalignment of the gear shift linkage to an incorrect position. As a result, the gear cannot shift correctly, leaving it stuck in its place.

How to Fix:

You can shift the incorrect gear position by locating the shift linkage within the engine bay. If you want to fix it, use a wrench and loosen the locking nuts from both ends. Then, rotate the turnbuckle in a counterclockwise position to shift it to low gear.

The lights of the gear on the dash activate, which can help tell you about the position for adjusting the gears.

You can also test the gear shifting by turning the ignition switch on and then shifting the gears to check whether they are shifted in the correct position. In this way, you can also check the grinding noise.

Tighten the locking nuts to confirm they’re correct position. Continue it to adjust till no more grinding noise is heard.

4. Suspension Issue:

When it comes to off-roading, having the right suspension is essential. After all, without the right suspension, your UTV will bounce up and down, making your ride uncomfortable and unsafe.

As a result, many UTV riders opt for the Coleman 550, which features nitrogen-filled MacPherson independent dual A-arms for the front and rear suspension.

While these suspensions are sufficient for the UTV at higher speeds, some riders have found it irritating when taking the UTV for a mountain ride.

This is mainly because of the mechanism in the 4WD mode, which comes with a complete differential lock mode activated by pressing a button.

However, it can also be annoying if you are driving in 2WD or extreme situations. This is because the differential lock mode can be too sensitive and cause the UTV to bounce around more than expected.

How to Fix:

While the suspension on the Coleman 550 is great, it can be annoying if you are not accustomed to the differential lock mode. To minimize the irritation, it is essential to understand the terrain, drive safely, and ensure that you are not pushing the UTV too hard.

5. The Issue of Overheating:

Overheating in the engine and other components of Coleman 550 UTV is a common issue that holds various reasons, including:

• An issue with the temperature sensor
  
• The issue of the air blockage in the coolant system
  
• The issue was due to a blown head gasket.

5.1. Issue with the Temperature Sensor:

One of the significant flaws in the Coleman 550 UTV and other Hisun engine-based vehicles is the presence of a factory set for the fan switch.

These fan switches are adjusted in a way that they cannot trigger until the engines don't reach the high temperatures of 220 degrees and beyond.

If the vehicle is driven in a warm climate region, the temperature sensor sometimes cannot trigger the fan to prevent the engine from overheating.

How to Fix:

To deal with this issue, various owners must combat it by automatically bypassing the requirement for a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor engages the switch in different ways without being factory-set.

Some owners have installed a toggle switch that operates between the wiring of the temperature sensor. It lets the sensor turn the fan ON by flipping the toggle switch. Both methods have shown positive results in minimizing the overheating issues in Coleman 550 UTV.

5.2. The Issue of Air Blockage in the Coolant System:

The main culprit behind the overheating issue in Coleman 550 UTV is a blockage in the coolant system and the formation of air bubbles in it.

The engine sometimes overheats when the cooling fan is not working correctly. As a result, air enters the system and reaches the water pump. The trapping of air bubbles in the water pump results in the ultimate overheating of the engine.

How to Fix:

When the air is burped back, it becomes impossible for the engine to stop overheating.

So here I will discuss the steps to burp away the air from the coolant system:

• STEP 1: Park your UTV at a hill or a sloppy place and raise its front end.
  
• STEP 2: Make sure the engine is cold enough to e checked. Remove away the bleeder bolt from the radiator of the engine.
  
• STEP 3: After removing the bleeder bolt, remove the radiator cap and fill it till the coolant starts coming out from the bleeder.
  
• STEP 4: Reinstall the bolt of the bleeder and fill the radiator till it overflows.
  
• STEP 5: Repeat the steps mentioned above and start the engine at the idle position. Observe the presence of bubbles in it. When bubbles stop coming from the engine, shut down the engine to replenish its coolant.
  
• STEP 6: Repeat the process until all the bubbles are gone, and reinstall the radiator cap on it.

5.3. The Issue due to Blown Head Gasket:

If the overheating issue in your Coleman 550 UTV is still not resolved after fixing the coolant system and temperature sensor, the problem can be due to a blown-out head gasket.

Head gaskets are often blown away and can create the problem of recurring overheating in the vehicle.

How to Fix:

It is recommended to check the head gasket in your vehicle using a head gasket kit that either it is blown out or not. You can replace the head gasket if it is blown out or get it fixed by a mechanic.

6. The Issue of the Fuel Pump Relay:

If you are having issues with speed, acceleration, and idling in your Coleman 550 UTV, it is likely due to a topic with the fuel pump. It is common for fuel pump problems to arise due to the heavy usage of the vehicle.

Testing your fuel pump is one of the first steps to diagnosing the issue. To do this, you can remove the hose and start your machine. If fuel sprays out, the fuel pump is in good shape.

How to Fix:

If the fuel pump does not spray out, it is likely that the fuel pump relay or the fuel pump itself is the culprit.

Before replacing your fuel pump, check the fuel pump relay for any damage. If you find any, you can get it replaced by a mechanic.

7. Street-Legality of Coleman 550 UTV:

Making your Coleman 550 UTV steel legal can be daunting if you’re not living in the U.S. or Canada. Although many states in the U.S. and Canada have established laws for legalizing the UTV, you still have to make some vehicle upgrades to ensure it’s considered street-legal. 

The most important parts that need to be upgraded to make the Coleman 550 street legal are:

• the headlight
  
• tires
  
• muffler
  
• license plate bracket
  
• reflectors

These parts must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for the UTV to be considered street-legal. 

In addition to these parts, you may need to get the vehicle inspected or tested to receive the necessary paperwork to register it as street-legal. 

The Unique Specs and Features of Coleman 550 UTV:

Pros and Cons of Coleman 550 UTV:

User Feedback/Review for Coleman 550 UTV:

It’s no secret that the Coleman 550 UTV is one of the most popular utility terrain vehicles today. Users have praised this robust, reliable, and comfortable machine for its performance, features, and affordability.

But, as with any vehicle, there are always those who have experienced issues with the Coleman 550 UTV.

Now here, let me summarize the users’ feedback after using the Coleman 550 UTV for some time.

Most users are satisfied with the UTV, praising its power, performance, and affordability.

However, a few users have experienced issues with the UTV, such as difficulty maneuvering, poor build quality, and inadequate suspension.

As you can see, there is positive and negative feedback; it’s up to you to analyze your requirement and decide whether the abovementioned shortcomings affect you. If they don’t, go ahead and purchase this powerful UTV.

Final Thought:

The Coleman 550 UTV is a standard UTV of Hisun with mid-range power and performance. While there may be some drawbacks, such as the need for self-reliance when dealing with mechanical issues, this quad is reasonably priced and capable.

It is essential to be mindful of its limits and to provide proper maintenance to ensure the best performance from the vehicle. Ultimately, whether or not to buy the Coleman 550 UTV is up to the individual.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Is Coleman a good side-by-side vehicle?

Coleman 550 UTV is a powerful vehicle ready to ride over the most challenging terrains. It has aluminum wheels and a powerful electric winch of 3500 pounds. This vehicle is excellent for wooden, snow, and even farmland terrains.

Which kind of engine is used in the Coleman 550 UTV?

Coleman 550 UTV has a powerful 4-stroke engine which is water-cooled and durable. It can provide power to carry loads and allow the vehicle to move fast. In addition, there is an electronic fuel injection in the vehicle that provides more reliability to the vehicle.

Which are the most reliable side-by-side UTVs for off-roading enthusiasts?

 The most reliable UTVs are:

• Honda Pioneer 1000 vehicle
  
• Yamaha RMAX2 1000 vehicle
  
• Honda Talon 1000 vehicle
  
• Polaris RZE Pro XR vehicle

Which side-by-side UTVs are the cheapest ones?

The cheapest side-by-side UTVs are:

• Polaris Ranger SP 570 vehicle
  
• Honda Pioneer 520 vehicle
  
• Can-Am Defender HD7 vehicle
  
• Kawasaki Mule SX vehicle

Who are the manufacturers of Coleman motors?

Coleman Company is an American-based company responsible for creating outdoor recreation vehicles owned by Newell Brands. This company’s headquarters is located in Chicago, with about 4000 employees.

Which sort of UTV vehicles are manufactured by Hisun?

Hisun manufactures UTV vehicles, including:

• Sector 400 vehicle
  
• ACE NV vehicle
  
• Strike 250R vehicle
  
• Forge 400 vehicle
  
• Tactic 250 2-UP vehicle

Which is the strongest side-by-side UTV vehicle?

The strongest side-by-side UTV is Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 in the premium version. It can generate 86 horsepower and can tow well. In addition, it has a three-mode throttle body and can absorb rugged topography.

Which sort of engine is used in Coleman 550 UTV?

Coleman 550 UTV uses a 4-stroke OHV engine. It has a compression ratio of 8:5:1 and generates a horsepower of 6 hp with a rated torque of 11 Nm.