Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir

Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir exploded view & spare parts

The Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir is a feature-rich robotic pool cleaner built around Zodiac’s patented cyclonic suction technology, capable of systematically cleaning the floor, walls and waterline of pools up to 12 metres in length across virtually any surface type — gresite, liner, polyester shell, reinforced PVC or painted concrete. Like every robot in the Vortex range, it relies on a precise assembly of mechanical and hydraulic components, all engineered to work together as a system. This exploded-view page lists every genuine spare part available for the Vortex 3 Saphir, with part numbers that match directly to the numbered diagram above. Whether you are carrying out a routine filter service or a full drivetrain rebuild, you will find the exact item you need right here.

How to use the numbered diagram to find your part

The exploded-view diagram breaks the Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir down into its individual components, each assigned a unique reference number. Start by identifying the area of the robot where the fault or wear has occurred — for example, the wheel assembly, the filter canister bay or the suction chamber — then locate that region on the diagram. Match the reference number shown on the diagram to the corresponding item in the parts list below. Each listing includes the official Zodiac part description, the material specification where relevant (such as A2 or A4 stainless steel grades for screws and pins), pack quantities, and dimensions, so you can cross-check before you order. If you are unsure which number applies, the sub-assembly groupings in the diagram — drivetrain, filtration, suction head and housing fasteners — help you narrow the search quickly.

Main replaceable parts and sub-assemblies

The Vortex 3 Saphir’s parts catalogue covers every major sub-system of the robot. In the drivetrain, you will find the large black front wheel covers and rims, the small black rear wheel covers and rims, the 17-tooth drive pinion gears (available as a two-piece pack), wheel bearing bushings, exterior bushings, the circlip/ril clamp for the wheel axle, and the stainless steel A4 pin (3×16 mm) that secures the axle assembly. The suction and hydraulic system is served by the Zodiac suction propeller, the EC R7040 impeller protection grille, and the EC R9022 flow guide, which together control water flow through the cyclonic chamber. The filtration system includes the filter canister support, a 100-micron standard replacement filter compatible with Vortex, OV and RV models, a fine 100-micron Alpha iQ-compatible filter, and a 200-micron large-debris filter for pools with heavy leaf or organic loads. The rubber brushes are supplied as a pair and are the primary contact point between the robot and every pool surface it traverses. The front float is a genuine EC replacement part that governs cable management and robot attitude in the water. The full range of housing fasteners — A2 stainless pan-head Pozidriv screws in VT TCL 2.9×9.5 mm and VP TCL POZI 4×12 variants, M4×25 mm pan-head screws, Vortex 4×25 mm screws, and fixing clips (3×16 mm, five-piece packs) — complete the structural picture, along with the connector block gasket (21×2 mm) that seals the electrical entry point.

Common wear items and when to replace them

Certain components on the Vortex 3 Saphir are consumables by nature and should be inspected at the start and end of each pool season. The rubber brushes gradually lose their profile through constant contact with pool surfaces; once the rubber shows visible thinning, cracking or uneven wear, cleaning performance and wall-climbing ability both deteriorate — replace them as a matched pair so drive balance is maintained. The filter panels should be rinsed after every cleaning cycle and replaced when the mesh shows tears, permanent clogging or deformation; switching between the 100-micron fine filter and the 200-micron large-debris filter depending on pool conditions extends the life of both. The suction propeller et impeller grille (EC R7040) are prone to impact damage from hard debris such as pebbles or hair ties — inspect the propeller blades for chips and the grille for deformation each time you service the filter. In the drivetrain, the 17-tooth pinion gears, wheel bearing bushings et exterior bushings experience cyclic load every cleaning cycle; a noisy or uneven drive, or a wheel that turns harder than its counterpart, is a reliable sign that bearings or pinions need attention. The connector block gasket should be checked for compression set and replaced if any moisture ingress is detected at the cable entry. Finally, always check the condition of fastener packs — stainless A2 and A4 screws resist corrosion well, but clips and pins that have been bent during disassembly should be renewed rather than re-used.

Why genuine Zodiac parts matter for the Vortex 3 Saphir

The Vortex 3 Saphir is built around closely matched tolerances — the cyclonic suction efficiency, wall-climbing grip and drivetrain reliability all depend on components that are dimensionally identical to those installed at the factory. Genuine Zodiac spare parts are manufactured to the same specification as the originals, which means the 17-tooth pinion meshes correctly with the motor output gear, the filter cartridge seals completely within the canister support, and the rubber brushes present exactly the right contact angle to the pool surface. Non-genuine alternatives are often produced to looser tolerances, which can introduce vibration, premature wear on adjacent components, and reduced suction — problems that may void your Zodiac warranty. Using genuine parts from poolparthub.com also means each item carries the full Zodiac part reference, making future re-ordering straightforward and ensuring compatibility is never in doubt.