How to replace a float on polaris 3900

1. Check the wheel RPM. If not in the 30-36 RPM range, refer to the manual for adjusting the wheel RPM.

2. Adjust the thrust jet downward.

3. Verify the backup valve is cycling. Lift the valve out of the water and watch the jet. It should come on and go off.

4. Check for water inside the head float.

5. Empty the filter bag.

You can download the 3900 Manual from the Polaris site
http://www.polarispool.com/Pressure/Polaris-3900.aspx

It will show you how to check the wheel rpm and how to adjust the thrust jet and check and adjust the float.

Check the float on the back of the machine. If that is full of water, it seems to provide enough drag to force the chain of the drive gear.

I have practically replaced the entire inside of my machine, and learned the hard way that the mechanics are pretty sound.

Note that Polaris appear to have adopted a "rip the customer off on spare parts" strategy. I had to purchase the entire 'redesigned' back for 90 bucks in order to replace a float that should have cost around 10-15 (IMHO) dollars.

SO ----
1) Check the float to confirm my theory. If the float is full of air, it's back to the drawing board. If not, carry on with the following instructions.
2) Lift the 'tail' of the polaris that clips the float in place
3) GENTLY try to pull the float out (newer models appear to have it screwed into place). If it comes out easily, carry on to step 5
4) If it does not come out, you will have to remove the entire back, and then unscrew the float.
5) Locate the collar that sticks out from the bottom of the float, and drill a small hole, into the middle of the collar, and through the float's wall
6) **** all the water out of the float
7) Fill the seam that joins the halves of the float together , AND the hole you drilled, with plumber's epoxy.
8) replace float
9) If necessary, replace the back of the polaris.

Hopefully you will get a few more summers out of your machine before having to replace the float altogether.

Good luck

Check the float on the back of the machine. Mine was full of water. As soon as I replaced it , everything ran perfectly again.

I tried every possible 'obvious' solution, from new wheel bearings to a new chain tensioner-thingie. You will notice that there is actually relatively little room for the chain to slip off the drive gear.

Seems that this additional weight a) turns the float into a sink and b) provides enough drag to force chain slippage.

After replacing the float, everything runs perfectly again. Of course, our friends at Polaris have now decided that you cannot simply buy a new float. You have to buy the ENTIRE BACK, paying 90 bucks for something that should cost no more than 10 - 15! Scoundrels.

If water gets into the float head of these pool cleaners, you will have to replace it. The float heads are fairly inexpensive and easy to replace, but there is no way to drain one and still have your cleaner function properly.