Polaris PB4SQ leaking

[hartpump]

Hello pool gurus. I have a leaking Polaris PB4SQ. My entire system is less than two years old. This pump is the auxiliary pump for the pool sweep.
My question is ..... can I open this thing up and fix why its leaking fairly easily? ( I am pretty handy) Or, is this a straight up warranty thing and I should just call Polaris straight away? Pump still works fine, it just has three streams of water coming right around that small plate with the symbols on it on the side. The seal around where the bolts are is not leaking that I could see. I realize it has some salt residue on it. Full disclosure I had too high of a salt content on this pool early in the season. Long story. Could a few weeks of having 5000 ppm in the water have done enough damage to corrode the internals on this pump ?

Chris
To a man with a hammer.... Everything looks like a nail.

IG/ Plaster and vinyl/ 17000 Gallons. Pentair Clean and Clear Plus Cartridge Filter. Pentair Intelliflo VSF with Polaris PB45Q booster pump. Pentair iChlor 30 SWG. Easytouch controls with Pentiar screenlogic interface. Rheem Raypak gas fired Atmoshperic heat exchanger. Originally filled with local city water but will be a well for any additional fill needs.

 

[wireform]

Salt being high shouldn't cause this but being in warranty would be my resolve.

 

[1poolman1]

As with most manufacturers, the warranty for that pump is one year from date of purchase.
Try this:

 

[jdri30]

Curious if you ever got a resolve on the PB4SQ leak. Today mine started leaking at the exact same place. No warranty because I installed it myself, so looking for any insight as to the exact problem before I start tearing it down. Just for info my pool has stayed balanced for the last three + years so I don't expect any chemical issues causing this. The PB4SQ is just under two years old which, from reading a lot of postings on the net, seems to be the life expectancy for it unfortunately. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KBerman]

Anyone know what's going on with this pump? Mine is about 18 months old, started leaking at the very same spot couple days ago.

 

[kwright402]

A bit more info for you all. I had the same issue, pump was just under a year old. Leak started in same place (plate with symbols). Within a week (waiting for service tech) the leak became much worse around lower body of pump. In speaking with PB warranty person she said that 85% of the time that she hears about a leak at the equipment pad it is this particular model pump. Sounds like a design or MFG issue to me. Mine will be a warranty replacement but based on what I'm hearing there is a high probability it will happen to the replacement.

 

[davidhum66]

This pump is a joke! Internet search for available parts yields nothing. The part # is R0723100 and I contacted Polaris directly when mine started to leak. If you search, you will note the many pool owners that are experiencing the same thing. Amazon reviews list it too. A pinhole leak starts around the front housing.....right where the Polaris decal is located. Both sides have weak plastic I guess and this area is a stress point. This is a defect the company is aware of. After talking with Polaris (my pump is 18 mo old), I went ahead and ordered the part 6 wks ago. Recently confirmed its still on backorder. Polaris is still selling this part, but this only adds to the class action given owners in similar situations. Polaris said I could get the housing for around $150 or just purchase a new pump. Great advice ..thanks! But how to get it was not part of the discussion. I took mine apart and put some plastic epoxy on the leaking side (inside and out) and went ahead and did the other side too. It sealed for about 4 weeks, but recently noticed the other side is now leaking despite adding some thickness with the epoxy. I used some sand paper to better adhere and I continue to band aid this thing until the new housing arrives. I still have what I consider a minor leak (again, right at the decal line)....but am considering just getting a new booster and biting the bullet versus continue to wait for a part no one can guide when it will be available. Even with the 12 mo warranty, I am sure it will continue to leak with the new part as again, it appears a major defect. Some owners stated they had their pool drain down considerably given it went unchecked. Not comforting. Good luck for others who are in similar situations.

 

[sktn77a]

Dump the Polaris and get a Hayward 6060 booster pump.

 

[1poolman1]

Dump the Polaris and get a Hayward 6060 booster pump.

Nice things about the Hayward 6060 - they use a standard 3/4hp square-flange motor not the special motors that other boosters use, other parts are readily available when they break (everything breaks).