Polaris Caretaker Valve Rebuild.

How to rebuild the valve mechanism on your Polaris Caretaker circulation valve. Usually done when the valve does not cycle correctly.

[@user-ph5li7ll7t]

Recently all of my pop ups stopped working. Sure enough it was the valve assembly. My pistons were just like yours. Bought the rebuild kit and installed it. Piece of cake . All pop ups working again. Your video helped immensely so thank you for your effort in putting this on YT.😊

[@Sharkie626]

Awesome! Yeah it's a common problem with these definitely, but I'm glad this rebuild kit did the trick!

[@beantown702]

Thank you young Al Micheals. Saved me from having to out source this job.

[@brunomyname9264]

Hello from France, your explanations are perfect, I did rebuild mine once and ready to do it again, everything you say is perfectly accurate.

[@Sharkie626]

Hey from across the pond! Glad I could help ya out!

[@aiguebelette]

Your video is good. The only mistake I spotted is the way the strainer cup or dome strainer is positioned. It is not in the correct position. The correct position for the strainer cup is with the dome up (the opposite of what we see on this video). This is what the installation instructions recommande from Zodiac and Jandy caretaker.

[@Sharkie626]

That I could never quite figure out. I've seen videos of it going both ways and I was like "well which way is it??"

[@joeschmuccatelli2167]

Claude Demir is right. The strainer dome is upside down. See page 11 of 16 and figure 10 in this pdf doc: www.jandy.com/~/media/zodiac/global/downloads/tl/tl1334.pdf It's called a dome because it should look like a dome after installation. Installing it upside down will screw up the fluid mechanics involved with the device as the dome blocks debris over time. It will collect debris and clog much faster when it is upside down. When properly installed the strainer dome blocks debris and directs it to the base of the dome around its outside edge thus minimizing clogging potential and maximizing water flow for a longer period of time. The best way to kill the 5 port water valve is to run it with a clogged dome strainer.

[@KingofLaundry]

Ray Romano has hit hard times.

[@Sharkie626]

I can't even count how many times I've been called that now. Haha

[@jaykay18]

Excellent presentation as always. I've seen that piece, you've probably told me what it was, but I've forgotten. I didn't know that it was so complex inside with all those parts, however the job seems very straightforward with no real stumbling blocks along the way. Need to get you over here to take my filter apart next. Nothing wrong with it, it's just time to open and inspect.

[@Sharkie626]

+jaykay18 Sure that sounds good. I do hope to be there one time before the party, provided I actually have the transportation to get there........as you know.........

[@jaykay18]

Sharkie626 Yes, beg pard. Seriously, try the Lucas stuff before you go to a shop. Saved my Citation's transmission, and it lasted 3 or 4 more years after that.

[@Sharkie626]

+jaykay18 Yeah, I'll see if I can give that a try first. If the pan is too much of a hassle, I'm gonna try pumping some out through the dipstick tube. I've seen videos of it where they have something that also measures how much you take out. That might be easier, I don't know.

[@timmeskell3027]

Harold Ramis needs to hire you for his voiceover work! Also, thanks for the tutorial.

[@Sharkie626]

Haha, I've been told that I sound like him, and also Ray Romano. You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@MsZippity]

I have to tell you that this video is absolutely excellent. What a fantastic job you did...the instructions, the tape itself and the thoroughness really impressed me. I have a rebuild kit on its way and plan on DIY-ing this job, as here in Las Vegas you can't get a repairman that knows his/her stuff out to a private home. They are all working for the many commercial pools and can't be bothered with the homeowners. That leaves you with folks who know just enough to be dangerous presenting themselves as pool repairmen. I think I have a failure in the top housing (dome) as well and so a new one has been ordered from a pool supply house. Now I'm concerned that if it isn't a Polaris Caretaker Top Housing, things may not fit or align. Fingers crossed there...and I'll be asking that question on Monday of Polaris when the office opens up. If you have some input on that question, I'd appreciate hearing what you have to say. Anyway, I was scared to death to take my pump apart, replace gasket, o-rings, get it rewired, take the jandy valves apart and replace those o-rings and start it all back up, but I did it all myself and the pool started back up. When I did, I saw the Caretaker was in trouble....so I'm on Day 5 now...and see damp ground where, I think the o-rings have failed on the Caretaker. I see the alignment pin hole and I'm concerned because air or water seems to be moving a thimbleful of water along the outer rim. Is it cracked? Should anything be exiting that alignment hole (water or air?) I doubt it...so I figured it's the o-rings. First-timer, sexagenarian gramma doing this on my own....so many thanks for your video.

[@Sharkie626]

I'm very glad the video was helpful for you! The air or water leak is mostly caused by a bad o-ring. While I have not personally seen a cracked housing, tat can certainly cause a leak, but I would check the o-ring first.

[@PITISAX]

Thanks, Very good

[@joeschmuccatelli2167]

Claude Demir is right. The strainer dome is upside down. See page 11 of 16 and figure 10 in this pdf doc: www.jandy.com/~/media/zodiac/global/downloads/tl/tl1334.pdf It's called a dome because it should look like a dome after installation. Installing it upside down will screw up the fluid mechanics involved with the device as the dome blocks debris over time. It will collect debris and clog much faster when it is upside down. When properly installed the strainer dome blocks debris and directs it to the base of the dome around its outside edge thus minimizing clogging potential and maximizing water flow for a longer period of time. The best way to kill the 5 port water valve is to run it with a clogged dome strainer.

[@ponbakyaraj]

Excellent presentation. Awesome job man.

[@Sharkie626]

Thanks for watching! :D

[@bouzoukiman5000]

Thanks for the video. It really helped

[@rogerzieg8335]

He did a great job, but installed the screen upside down. The screen should be installed with the rounded portion up not down in the pipe.

[@Sharkie626]

It was always hard for me to figure out. When I used to have it up, I could see it was being bent out of shape a little, so I thought it was the other way around.

[@joshbrewer3514]

Good job weekend warrior. Love how sharkie uses street language for "not too tight" or "just till it feels right", etc. Not much talk about real important things; cleaning o-ring grooves, inspect all new parts (they can be defective), check pistons for proper operation, correct strainer position (upside down) etc. And I would NEVER put a small nut in the upside down stainer; was it ever taken out? If you slip and nut goes in gear assy, = good luck on that. Good kermit-the-frog voice though.

[@MichelScialom]

Bonjour Votre vidéo m’a beaucoup aidé et je vous remercie ,ou serait-il possible de se procurer ce kit de remplacement pour pouvoir le commander car j’habite en France. En vous remerciant par avance. Michel

[@justinreynolds3935]

Plugging the lines with plugs is a bit excessive. I doubt any animals are going to crawl in there while doing this. Just lay a towel over it... other than that good work. Was good tutorial. I hate rebuilding these. I've noticed the old lids and new parts don't seem to fit snug over time. I always just replace the whole top piece now. Peace of mind. And it takes 10 mins

[@Sharkie626]

Yah that would work too honestly, though I haven't had any real bad experiences myself with the rebuilds.

[@elaineatpadies]

St Rainer should go in the other way

[@elaineatpadies]

Sorry strainer

[@user-gi3xj8nz3s]

Great 👍 video what kinda size are the channel locks wrench 🔧 you have ? Do you have a link I can buy one ☝️

[@Sharkie626]

Unsure on the size, but one that can fit a coupling for a 2 inch pipe should do!

[@anpou1129]

I just rebuilt my caretaker with all new parts. For some reason two of the pop up connected to one of the pistons stay up. I reopened the compartment thinking one of the pistons was defective but everything seems to be ok. Why do you think I am having this issue?

[@Sharkie626]

Do you mean the floor jets themselves? Sometimes they may just need a gentle push to go back down. Two of them when they were brand new, stayed up, and then the next year, they worked perfectly!

[@anpou1129]

@@Sharkie626 I think it’s a bad pressure relief valve installed and connected directly under the piston that push water to the two pop ups.

[@anpou1129]

Pop ups or floor jets!

[@mattglancy6443]

Where did you buy the replacement valve kit from?

[@Sharkie626]

My dad had bought it. I think it came from Amazon.

[@michaeljames4128]

Screen is upside down

[@Sharkie626]

Yeah I eventually learned that, heh