If your automatic pool cleaner is not operating efficiently, it may be time to replace the parts that are designed to wear. If you see significant wear on your cleaners shoes, wings or flaps, replace these parts to improve performance, and to prevent damage to the more costly components.
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Michael Owen Posted: 7/14/2019
Where can I purchase the spring for the feet .Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/15/2019
Unfortunately, the spring is not a part sold by itself. It looks like you would need to buy a pod from the Hayward Aquabug parts diagram.Reply
Matthew Posted: 9/18/2018
Hello Barb - generally, Intex filters have a pretty small capacity for holding dirt. Your new cleaner is picking up a larger volume of heavy debris from the pool bottom causing the filter to reach capacity quicker. A few ways to handle this: get a bigger filter, continue backwashing as needed, or do not use the cleaner.Reply
Barb Posted: 9/17/2018
Hi! We just purchased a Wanda the Whale for our Intex pool. When first hooked up she works great, but loses suction and stops working after about 15 minutes. If we then backwash the pump and start again, she'll work for another 15 minutes then stop. My husband has tried everything and can't figure out how to keep her running. Thanks!Reply
mike Posted: 8/25/2021
Mine does the same thing - same time frame. no leaves stuck in it.Reply
Inyopools Posted: 5/25/2018
Hello Dan - Replacing the feet may not correct the problem. There is a small white gear box on the inside of the cleaner. Sometimes a small amount of sand can get into the gear box and prevent the gears from turning. You can test the gear box by blowing into the small hole. If nothing turns, you'll need to open it up and clean out the gears. While you have the cleaner open look for any bearings that may have fallen apart.Reply
Dan Posted: 5/19/2018
I have a Wanda. She will only make left turns. Suction is great. She hauls ass. Time for new feet?Reply
Riki Posted: 7/29/2017
Thank you! I looked at videos on how to rebuild my aquabug and thought oh boy this is going to be a lot of work. I found this article, grabbed my bug and realized the back shoes were completely missing. I got the replacements and now she's working again! You saved me hours of work. Thanks againReply
Anonymous Posted: 7/13/2017
New Aqua Critter owner here, if anyone is having trouble with their cleaner suddenly getting stuck against the wall of your pool, take a close look at the square gearbox inside the main body of the cleaner.I found that a hair had gotten inside the gearbox and it was preventing the small impeller from rotating. If you are good with your hands you should have no problem taking it apart and putting it back together, just follow the pictures and instructions in this how to and you soon will be back in business.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/24/2017
Anonymous (Diver Dave) - You may have air trapped in the top of the cleaner. When you place the cleaner in the water, swish it back and forth a couple of time to clear any air collecting at the top.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/22/2017
My Diver Dave rolls on his side alots. What should I do?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/11/2017
Anonymous (Diver Dan) - You may have to check inside the cleaner to resolve your problem. See our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner". The insides of many of these Hayward cleaners are very similar. Check the bearings on the A-Frame and Turbine. Also, check for debris in the Gear Box Assembly.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/8/2017
My Dave the diver was just doing circles but now he goes straight and get stuck against the wall.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/2/2017
Guy - You may have to get further into the body of the cleaner. The bearings on the A-Frame and the main Turbine sometimes go bad and bind up. See our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner". It should show you where these parts are and how to replace them.Reply
Guy Posted: 6/2/2017
Part2:My pump is a 2100 GPH KRYSTAL CLEAR™ SAND FILTER PUMP. Could the gear box be part of this problem.
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Guy Posted: 6/1/2017
I just replaced shoes and "A-frame," but critter still doesn't move consistently, continuously, or not at all. suction is great at end of hose, but "paddles/shoes" aren't moving when check.I can put finger inside port and get things turning, but when I set it back down on pool bottom sweeper doesn't move.HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/29/2017
Anonymous (Diver Dave) - Your pump may be too small. This cleaner needs a minimum of 32 GPM water flow, or a 3/4 HP pump to operate efficiency. Or the pump's impeller may be clogged. See our guide on "How To Clean Out a Pool Pump Impeller". Or the cleaner may be clogged. See our guide on "How To Clear Debris on a Hayward Aquabug, Diver Dave, or Wanda Whale".Reply
Anonymous Posted: 5/28/2017
I bought my diver Dave 700 2 years ago. He's never moved very well though. We have taken apart and checked all parts which are in good working order and the hose has no leaks. All help sites have said to check the speed adjuster knob but Ours does not have a knob we can find. I even put out the money thinking my pump wasn't strong enough and went to a high power sand filter for a pool 3x's the size of mine but still nothing. Any ideas that might help get Dave moving?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/26/2017
Poodle the Pool Guy - Unfortunately, the springs for the shoes are not a separate part available for retail. I would check with some local pool stores to see if they have any loose/extra springs they can give/sell you. They are a little difficult to get in and out. You have to force then in at an angle.Reply
Poodle the Pool Guy Posted: 5/25/2017
do you know where I can get springs for the shoes and also how to change the springs?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/23/2016
wanda the whale - Your cleaner may have debris caught in the gears or mechanism. Try blowing it out by reversing the water flow through the cleaner. Take the end of the suction hose off the suction port and hold it on a return port to see if you can backflush the debris. Then check your pump's impeller to see if it is clogged. See "How To Clean Out a Pool Pump Impeller".Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/22/2016
hi everyone I just purchased a wanda the whale cleaner. I used it the first time it did awesome for 15 min, cleaned out the basket now cant get to move at all. I did the same steps when I first used it. any suggestionsReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/20/2016
Aqua Bug 500 - There are a couple of repair kits for this cleaner. See keys 27, 34 and * (Universal A Frame Kit), in this Aqua Bug 500 parts list.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 7/18/2016
Trying to find a parts kt for Aqua Bug 500 poolcleaner tune-up kit. Was on hold twice and then disconnected. Do you have kit and what is cost? Arnold 615 351 5567Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/14/2015
wanda the whale - Generally that's a problem with weak suction or binding bearings. The bearings that control the feet should be good since this is a new cleaner but make sure they work smoothly by toggling the pods back and forth manually. Then check that your hose connections are tight and, if you can, try shutting off one of your other suction lines (like the main drain) to add suction on the cleaner line.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 9/13/2015
I just got a new wanda the whale because our ladybug quit working. There is strong suction and feet move but once I put it down it won't work. Any suggestions? I also bought a regulator valve to no avail.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/23/2015
bretneck - Thanks for your comment. We really appreciate your feedback and solutions.Reply
bretneck Posted: 8/22/2015
My diver dave (purchased last year) had good suction but would only move in a circle. After trying all the tips on various website, with not much success, i set off to take it apart and fix it or break it for good.It is not an easy task, but it is doable if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. I found, in my teardown, that one of the springs that pushes the rubber feet out, had gone missing. I was able to cut a spring to fit as a means to get by until the hayward repair kit arrives.
Also, as i dug deeper into the diver dave internals, i found some trash in between the little plastic gears that move the unit. After cleaning those, ensuring free movement, and removing all trash/debris within the unit, i put him all back together and gave it a test run. Seems like problem is solved, Diver Dave is, once again, the hardest working member of the family!!) Thought maybe this could be of some help to others, as I found very little troubleshooting tips online.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/17/2015
Rick - To check if you have a hose leak, try holding the hose that floats on the water below the water surface. The end of the hose going into the skimmer should also be under water. If this solves your problem you need to replace your hose or a section of it. To see what section might be leaking, remove a section one section at a time. One other thing to check, if your filter has a breather tube running from the top of the tank to the bottom, make sure it is not clogged.Reply
Rick Posted: 8/16/2015
When using my older wanda the whale, air is entering my skimmer. When I turn off motor, there is so much air, the air pushes the cover off. This is our second whale that has done this. I think the hoses are the cause, but how?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/3/2015
Danielle - The cleaner may have debris caught in a gear. Try blowing it out by taking the hose off the suction port and placing it on a return port. This will reverse the water flowing through the cleaner and may dislocate the debris. If not, you may have to take the cleaner apart to remove any debris. See our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner" for detailed instructions.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/3/2015
Sugar308 - Yes, the springs are difficult to insert but they do go in. Try using a pair of needle nose pliers to help position it. Don't know why you had two of them pop out. I don't see many problems with springs.Reply
Danielle Posted: 8/2/2015
I have a 6 week old aqua critter. Lately, she seems to go from one side of the pool, across to the other and gets stuck at the wall. She doesn't seem to be correcting herself and turning...ever. Any suggestion? I have yellow algae I need to treat now and NEED HER HELP to vacuum! Thanks for any help!Reply
Sugar308 Posted: 8/2/2015
i have a 2 yr old diver Dan and a new Wanda whale. The old one lost the springs to the feet on one side so I bought a new one. Now the new one has lost a spring on one foot. I found the spring but cannot figure out how to get it into the small space where it sits. Also, why are the springs not installed better so they don't fall out so easily. Very frustrating!!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/29/2015
Mike - Your pump may be too small to pull water through your current suction pipes and the suction cleaner. Do you have the option of temporarily shutting down the main drain while you are using the cleaner? This would provide more suction to the cleaner. Check also that you don't have an air leak in the cleaner hose by holding the hose and any connections below the surface of the water.Reply
Mike Posted: 7/28/2015
I just purchased a new Aqua bug. Pretty much as soon as I start it the catch filter near the pool filter motor doesn't stay full with water. Suction seems ok but the water flow and overall operation isn't what it should be. Any thoughts?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/13/2015
Driver Dave - Try adjusting the speed control shown in step #17 to level III. If that doesn't work try back flushing any debris that might have gotten caught in the gears. Take the end of the cleaner hose off of the suction port and hold it onto a return port so that water will flow backwards through the cleaner.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 7/12/2015
I just purchased diver Dave have it a month it has suction to hose but it stopped moving can't figure out why they is nothing stuck in itReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/12/2015
KDH - If the feet don't toggle left-right smoothly when you push on them, it's generally means the A-Frame is binding and has to be replaced. See our guide on "How To Replace the Navigator Pool Cleaner A-Frame Assembly". If that is not the issue, you may have debris caught in the control mechanism. See our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner" for dis-assembly instructions.Reply
KDH Posted: 6/11/2015
Aquabug one right side of the rocker feet not moving left side does. Rollers and water wheel checked ok no play both sides. Checked installation of water wheel Right is on the right side left is on the left side as it should be. When pressing down on the legs it will work, but stops after releasing the pressure. Only used for 6 months it did work when it was newReply