Polaris 280 Problems - Booster Pump Issue?

[Steve-D]

This is the 3rd year of our pool with a Polaris 280 and its related booster pump (Pentair Boost-Rite LA-MS05). The pump began "whining" this season and the cleaner isn't moving around as effectively as it used to. Is there an inexpensive way for me to test the flow coming out of the pressure pump? The Polaris no longer climbs fully up the walls, seems to get tangled in the feed hose and frequently tips to its side. I've tinkered with the nozzle to fix a "nose down" problem and I bought a rebuild kit for the cleaner but haven't done anything with it yet...I figure I'll attend to it in the off season. Does this sound like the main problem is the booster pump? I asked a related question earlier in the season and it was suggested that a bearing might be the cause of the whining and that it should still be safe to run the pump. What can I expect if I need to have the pressure pump repaired?

 

[hexabc]

Detach the Polaris quick disconnect and check with your hand if the water flow is good.
Also, pull out the cleaner and make sure the wheels are properly engaged.

How long do you run your Polaris per day? It’s the third season, it should still be in good condition. Since the booster is “whining”, I suspect the problem is there. Did it run dry for any period of time?

 

[Saturn94]

Check the wheel RPM per the manual (page 7)

https://images.inyopools.com/cloud/documents/polaris280-manual.pdf

 

[1poolman1]

This is the 3rd year of our pool with a Polaris 280 and its related booster pump (Pentair Boost-Rite LA-MS05). The pump began "whining" this season and the cleaner isn't moving around as effectively as it used to. Is there an inexpensive way for me to test the flow coming out of the pressure pump? The Polaris no longer climbs fully up the walls, seems to get tangled in the feed hose and frequently tips to its side. I've tinkered with the nozzle to fix a "nose down" problem and I bought a rebuild kit for the cleaner but haven't done anything with it yet...I figure I'll attend to it in the off season. Does this sound like the main problem is the booster pump? I asked a related question earlier in the season and it was suggested that a bearing might be the cause of the whining and that it should still be safe to run the pump. What can I expect if I need to have the pressure pump repaired?

A Polaris that falls over usually has the mast float full of water. It just pulls off and pushes back on (with a finger's-width space between it and the mast) when a new one is bought. That would be most of the problems' with the cleaner not climbing, etc.
A noisy pump means that it ran dry and the seal leaked enough to damage the front bearing of the motor. Possibly melted the impeller as well.
Usually doesn't cause a reduction on waterflow, but will only get worse.