Polaris 280 - $270 to tune up. Does this price make sense?

[bubu_law]

my pool sweep suddenly stopped moving around the pool. Only one of the back wheels turn.
My pool guy quoted $270 to tune up the Polaris but I find it kinda expensive, specially since a new Polaris 280 is $599 on Amazon.
Is $270 a reasonable charge? the tune up kit alone from Polaris is $215, so based off that, it seems reasonable, but I can find 3rd party kits in the $120 range.
Does it make sense to pay the $270 or go with a 3rd party kit and tune it up myself? I have 2 little kids and time is a luxury these days, but money is also tight.

 

[1poolman1]

my pool sweep suddenly stopped moving around the pool. Only one of the back wheels turn.
My pool guy quoted $270 to tune up the Polaris but I find it kinda expensive, specially since a new Polaris 280 is $599 on Amazon.
Is $270 a reasonable charge? the tune up kit alone from Polaris is $215, so based off that, it seems reasonable, but I can find 3rd party kits in the $120 range.
Does it make sense to pay the $270 or go with a 3rd party kit and tune it up myself? I have 2 little kids and time is a luxury these days, but money is also tight.

You're trying to compare buying something yourself at retail, probably delivered to your home with no shipping and then
DIY, to having someone take the time to go to a supplier to pick up the kit, pay for gas and insurance to be in business, do a house call, take your Polaris apart and reassemble it correctly (its not as easy as it looks to adjust the cleaner), and warranty his work.
It all depends on what it is worth to you.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Polaris has two kits:

• A49 Tune Up kit
• A48 Rebuild kit

The A48 rebuild kit gives you all new parts except for the frame. And saves you about $200 compared to buying a new cleaner. You end up with a new cleaner if you can DIY the rebuild kit. It does not make sense paying someone else to do the full rebuild.

Compare the parts lists in the kits and decide if the parts in the A49 kit are all you need or if a full rebuild is necessary.

There are a bunch of YouTube videos showing the tuneup or rebuild process.

My experience is only with the Polaris kits. You will need to evaluate the condition of your cleaner and what is needed.

 

[Hammond]

I’ve rebuilt my Polaris and it isn’t real difficult. I used 3rd party parts and they worked fine. I would watch some videos and see what you can figure out before spending that much

 

[Newdude]

IMO roughly double the cost of wholesale generic parts is entirely fair for a pro fix with OEM parts.

Or roll the dice and DIY on the cheap.

 

[rphillips]

I bought all the parts and did it myself, but my Polaris 280 still doesn’t work. So the time energy and cost to put into it is for nothing. So if I had it to do over again, I would’ve hired it out at least they would’ve been responsible to ensure it actually worked.

 

[1poolman1]

I bought all the parts and did it myself, but my Polaris 280 still doesn’t work. So the time energy and cost to put into it is for nothing. So if I had it to do over again, I would’ve hired it out at least they would’ve been responsible to ensure it actually worked.

What does or doesn't it do?

 

[z3540i]

If you are handy with tools and mechanically inclined, I suggest to disassemble it and figure out why one wheel isn't working. It can be as simple as the 2 toothed belt that spins the wheels which is about $47 for the pair. I have replaced my Polaris 360 belts twice since owning it (2004)

 

[Mikes61]

Parts for your 280 are available from many sellers on EBay and are less than half what Polaris charges. They may not be OEM, up who cares, they work.

I’ve rebuilt my 280 several times with the cheaper parts and it works great. It took less than an hour. Just replace the broken or worn out parts, don’t buy the rebuild kit.

$270 is insane.

 

[ajw22]

Parts for your 280 are available from many sellers on EBay and are less than half what Polaris charges. They may not be OEM, up who cares, they work.

I’ve rebuilt my 280 several times with the cheaper parts and it works great. It took less than an hour. Just replace the broken or worn out parts, don’t buy the rebuild kit.

$270 is insane.

Great to know you will be available here to help folks who have problems after rebuilding their Polaris with non-OEM parts.

Maybe you can share what specific parts vendors have worked well for you?

 

[Newdude]

$270 is insane.

I wholly agree I'd never spend it, but I'm handy and enjoy tinkering while many aren't/don't. It will cost them to pay a pro to use OEM parts.

 

[sktn77a]

The Polaris tune-up kit (A49) is about $200. The Polaris rebuild kit (A48) is over $300. He's using 3rd party tune-up kit and charging you for 2 hours work. Sounds about right.

If you're at all handy with a screwdriver, the instructions are pretty straightforward - you should be able to do it yourself in a couple of hours. I have a 30 year old 380 that I've rebuilt several times - a bit of a "trigger's broom"!