Polaris 340 Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend that you follow the answers in the order they appear. For parts identification refer to the exploded parts diagram for the Polaris 340. To view or print a copy of the 340 Owner’s Manual, please go back to the pool cleaner section and scroll down to Polaris 340. The numbers in parenthesis refer to the Exploded Parts Diagram located in the pool cleaner section of our website.

Your Polaris 340 cleaner is a suction side cleaner therefore depositing the debris it vacuums into the pump basket or in your circulation pump. The cleaner’s overall operation is dependent upon many factors such as:

A clean pump basket
A clean circulation pump
Secure hose connections
Any adjustments made to the valves in your pool equipment area; on both the suction and pressure sides of the pump
A properly working flow regulator (skimmer installations only) that holds its adjusted position
A properly functioning pool filtration system

Q: Why is my Polaris 340 not moving?

A: Ensure that your pool circulation pump is on and the Polaris 340 hose is securely connected to the skimmer or dedicated cleaner line. With the pump on, remove the cleaner from the leader hose keeping the hose submerged. Attach the flow indicator (#29) to the end of the hose and verify proper flow. If the flow is low, then clean pump basket and/or backwash pool filter. If the flow is high then adjust the flow down at the flow regulator (#23) located in your skimmer or the valves in your pool equipment area. Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute. The optimal range is between 30-34 RPM. It is easy to check the RPM by brining the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged. Mark the wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute. If the cleaner goes into back-up cycle (wheels begin to rotate backwards, counterclockwise) during the count; stop counting. Wait until all the wheels are turning forward (clockwise) and begin counting again. Also, remove the top housing (#3) and verify that the propeller (#4) is free of debris. Finally, check the turbine to make sure it is free of debris by removing the bottom plate (#21). Finally, check the belts by removing the bottom housing (#20). Verify they have not fallen off and are properly tensioned. The proper tension is no more than Ľ” inflection. For further assistance, call the Polaris Customer Service Department at 1-800-822-7933.

Q: Why does my Polaris 340 get stuck on steps or other pool obstacles for longer than 5 minutes?

A: Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute. The optimal range is between 30-34 RPM. It is easy to check the RPM by bringing the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged. Mark the wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute. If the cleaner goes into a back-up cycle (wheels begin to rotate backwards) during the count; stop counting. Wait until all the wheels are turning forward and begin counting again. If the wheel RPM is in the correct range you will need to make sure your Polaris 340 is cycling properly. Hold the cleaner below the surface of the water. All wheels should turn backwards approximately every 1-˝ minutes. If the wheel RPM is correct and the unit is cycling properly, then remove unnecessary pool hardware or install a ladder guard kit (part #G-21) to prevent your Polaris 340 from getting stuck on or near your ladder. Contact the Polaris Customer Service Department at 1-800-822-7933 for further information.

Q: Why does my Polaris 340 move too slowly?

A: Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute. The optimal range is between 30-34 RPM. It is easy to check the RPM by brining the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged. Mark the wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute. If the cleaner goes into back-up cycle (wheels begin to rotate backwards) during the count; stop counting. Wait until all the wheels are turning forward and begin counting again. If the wheel RPM is under 30, then check the following:

Pump basket is empty
Pool filter is clean (filter pressure is not 5-10 psi above the cleaning operating pressure as indicted by the gauge on your pool filter)
Verify that the propeller (#4) is free of debris by removing the top housing (#3)
Turbine is free of debris, check by removing the bottom plate (#21).

Q: Why does my Polaris 340 appear to be stuck repeatedly at the water line?

A: Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute. The optimal range is between 30-34 RPM. It is easy to check the RPM by brining the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged. Mark the wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute. If the cleaner goes into back-up cycle (wheels begin to rotate backwards) during the count; stop counting. Wait until all the wheels are turning forward and begin counting again. If the wheel RPM is above 34, then verify that your flow regulator (#23) (which is used on skimmer installations) that is plugged into the skimmer is free of debris. If the wheel RPM is in the correct range and the cleaner is still repeating this behavior, then move the hose weights to the 2^nd and 4^th hose sections approximately 6 feet and 12 feet respectively from the head.

Q: Why does my Polaris “wheelie” or pull severely to one side?

A: Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute. The optimal range is between 30-34 RPM. It is easy to check the RPM by brining the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged. Mark the wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute. If the cleaner goes into back-up cycle (wheels begin to rotate backwards) during the count; stop counting. Wait until all the wheels are turning forward and begin counting again. Next, in operation verify that the hose swivel (#19) at the rear of the cleaner moves freely. You can also check the propeller (#4) for debris by removing the top housing (#3). Remove any debris by hand that may be interfering with the propeller’s operation. Finally, check to make sure the hose weights (#27) are positioned properly on the first 2 sections of the hose. The proper positions for the 2 weights (#27) are 3 feet and 6 feet from the Polaris if the pool is more than 5 feet deep. If the pool is less than 5 feet deep, then you can remove the hose weight (#27) from the leader hose (#28) and position the other weight on the standard hose (2^nd section) so it is approximately 4 feet from the Polaris.

Q: Why does my Polaris 340 hose become tangled?

A: Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute. The optimal range is between 30-34 RPM. It is easy to check the RPM by brining the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged. Mark the wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute. If the cleaner goes into back-up cycle (wheels begin to rotate backwards) during the count; stop counting. Wait until all the wheels are turning forward and begin counting again. In addition to correct wheel RPM, the cleaner’s hose needs to be the correct length. Proper hose length is where the hose extends 2-3 sections past the farthest point of the pool. Verify that the hose weights (#27) are positioned properly on the first 2 sections of the hose. The proper positions for the 2 weights (#27) are 3 feet and 6 feet from the Polaris if the pool is more than 5 feet deep. If the pool is less than 5 feet deep, then you can remove the hose weight (#27) from the leader hose (#28) and position the other weight on the standard hose (2^nd section) so it is approximately 4 feet from the Polaris. Next, you will need to make sure your Polaris 340 is cycling properly. Hold the cleaner below the surface of the water. All wheels should turn backwards approximately ever 1-˝ minutes. Finally, if your Polaris 340 is installed in a dedicated suction line (not the skimmer), attach the 45-degree elbow to the universal adapter (#22) or wall connection. Angle it upward and attach the hose.

Q: Why do air bubble come out of the return line during operation?

A: Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute. The optimal range is between 30-34 RPM. It is easy to check the RPM by brining the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged. Mark the wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute. If the cleaner goes into back-up cycle (wheels begin to rotate backwards) during the count; stop counting. Wait until all the wheels are turning forward and begin counting again. If the wheel RPM is less than 30 verify the hose connections are secure as well as the connection to your skimmer or dedicated line. After securing the connections, check the wheel RPM again. If air bubbles are still coming out of the return line, contact you local pool professional.

Q: Why do the belts keep falling off my Polaris 340?

A: If your Polaris 340 serial number is prior to 113700 your tensioner pulley may need to be changed. Call the Polaris Customer Service Department at 1-800-822-7933 for further assistance. If your serial number is after 113700 then your belts may be tensioned too loose. You can check the belt tension by removing the bottom housing (#20). The proper tension is no more than Ľ” inflection.