Polaris 360 stopped moving after trying to fix booster pump hose leaks

[MyCoolestPool]

Hi all,
I have a polaris 360 cleaner I maintain regularly that runs on its own booster pump and in the last 3 years I have owned the pool, there have never been any issues with the pump itself. After a recent freeze, the hose that is connecting the booster pump to the pool pipe was leaking on both ends. We disconnected that hose and rethreaded and connected it back (in the hopes of fixing the leak). The cleaner stopped working. The booster pump comes on, but the cleaner is not moving, there is no water going to it.
Any ideas what might have happened? Trying to explore options of fixing it myself before I call a pool repair company.
Many thanks for reading.

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP
The Polaris 360 does not require a booster pump. Could you possibly mean 380?
Regardless, if all you did was remove and reinstall the hose then it should not have plugged anything. BTW, what hose did you remove? There is a suction hose that goes to the front center of the booster pump and the return hose comes out vertically from the top. Maybe a picture would help.
Did you check the pump that the impeller is rotating and noting is blocking it.
Remember that the booster pump requires that the main filter pump be on as that supplies the feed water to the booster pump.

 

[MyCoolestPool]

Thanks so much for your reply, Herman TX!
I know that the main filter pump must be on when the cleaner is on, and it is always on when the booster pump is on. I just went outside and I could not see where the impeller (or any impeller) is, it may be covered. Here is a picture of the hose I reattached as it was leaking at both ends (I am pointing to it). When I turn the cleaner on, the booster pump sounds like it's coming on, but there is no water jet coming from the pool spout (sorry my lingo is not very technical). It also sounds like it's working in 'waves' when it's on (the booster pump). the booster pump may have failed...? The main filter pump is working, however, I have noticed that for one of my skimmer baskets, the flow to it is not as strong as it used to be after the freeze. Thank you again.

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks so much for your reply, Herman TX!
I know that the main filter pump must be on when the cleaner is on, and it is always on when the booster pump is on. I just went outside and I could not see where the impeller (or any impeller) is, it may be covered. Here is a picture of the hose I reattached as it was leaking at both ends (I am pointing to it). When I turn the cleaner on, the booster pump sounds like it's coming on, but there is no water jet coming from the pool spout (sorry my lingo is not very technical). It also sounds like it's working in 'waves' when it's on (the booster pump). the booster pump may have failed...? The main filter pump is working, however, I have noticed that for one of my skimmer baskets, the flow to it is not as strong as it used to be after the freeze. Thank you again.

The booster pump requires continuous filtered water to be supplied to it for it to work properly. It is possible that the booster-pump froze and the impeller is broken. The impeller is inside the portion of the pump that the two hoses are connected. Six bolts hole it together. Takes a 1/2" wrench to remove the bolts and the front of the pump can be removed to inspect it. Be sure that the thin O ring that goes around the outside of the part remaining on the motor is replaced properly. A little pool lube can old it in place while the pump is reassembled. They have a tendency to fall off if they are removed and can get caught between the two portions of the pump when it is reassembled.

 

[MyCoolestPool]

Hi - just a quick update that I fixed this issue. I backwashed the filter and everything started running very smoothly again. There must have been a plug somewhere that got liberated once I backwashed. thank you!

 

[MyCoolestPool]

The booster pump requires continuous filtered water to be supplied to it for it to work properly. It is possible that the booster-pump froze and the impeller is broken. The impeller is inside the portion of the pump that the two hoses are connected. Six bolts hole it together. Takes a 1/2" wrench to remove the bolts and the front of the pump can be removed to inspect it. Be sure that the thin O ring that goes around the outside of the part remaining on the motor is replaced properly. A little pool lube can old it in place while the pump is reassembled. They have a tendency to fall off if they are removed and can get caught between the two portions of the pump when it is reassembled.

Oh good to know, thank you...! After the freeze there was major rain for one full week in Texas last week and there were a lot of leaves. I backwashed the filter today and everything started running smoothly again, the cleaner, the skimmer, a lot of pressure back on my spa overspill...there must have been a plug somwhere of leaves that got liberated once I backwashed. I also cleaned the main filter pump basket of leaves...I will keep in mind the impeller situation and keep an eye out on the equipment as well...thank you again!