Paramount 6-Port Module (004-302-4408-00): Signs It's Failing and How to Replace It

If your Paramount in-floor cleaning system used to clean the whole pool and now only a couple of zones do anything, the problem usually isn't the pop-up heads. It's the water valve module buried inside the valve at your equipment pad. That module is the part that rotates flow from one group of heads to the next, and when it wears out, your cleaning coverage falls apart in a very specific, very recognizable way.

The Paramount 6-port water valve module, part number 004-302-4408-00, is the direct replacement for six-port Paramount valves. Below we'll cover what it does, the symptoms that point to a failed module, how to confirm you need the 6-port version and not another port count, and what to check before you spend the money. We stock it at Aqua Pool Supply in Phoenix, Chandler, and Las Vegas.

What the 6-Port Water Valve Module Actually Does

A Paramount in-floor cleaning system doesn't run every pop-up head at once. There isn't enough flow or pressure to do that, and there doesn't need to be. Instead, the system divides your pop-ups into zones, and the water valve at the equipment pad feeds one zone at a time in a rotating sequence. Each zone gets a strong burst of pressure, pops its heads up, sweeps debris toward the main drain, then hands off to the next zone.

The module is the piece that makes that rotation happen. It sits between the top dome and the base of the water valve and houses the cam plate, gear assembly and pistons. As water flows through, the gears index the cam plate one step at a time, opening one port and closing the others. A 6-port module feeds six zones.

No Electricity, No Controller, No Wiring

The module is entirely hydraulic. There's no motor, no actuator, no wire running to it, and nothing to program. It runs automatically whenever your pump is running, using the flow from the pump as its only power source. That's a big part of why these systems are so reliable — and also why the module is a wear item. Every rotation is mechanical contact between plastic gears in moving water, and that adds up over years of daily run time.

Why This Is the Part That Fails, Not the Whole Valve

The valve base and dome are essentially plumbing. They're glued into your equipment pad and they rarely need replacing. The module is the working assembly inside, and it's designed to be serviced. That's the good news: when your in-floor system stops sequencing correctly, you're usually looking at a module swap, not a re-plumb.

Signs Your Paramount Water Valve Module Is Failing

These are the symptoms that point at the module specifically. If you're seeing one or more of them, the module is the first thing to look at.

1. The Valve Is Stuck on One Zone

The most common failure. One section of the pool gets cleaned aggressively and never stops, while the rest of the pool collects debris. If you watch the pool with the pump running and the same heads pop up cycle after cycle, the module has stopped indexing.

2. Multiple Zones Running at Once

If two or more zones are popping up simultaneously and none of them have much strength, the cam plate or pistons are worn enough that ports aren't sealing shut when they should. Pressure gets split across zones and no zone gets enough to do real work.

3. Weak Pop-Ups Across the Whole Pool

Heads that barely lift, or lift but barely throw water, when your pump and filter are otherwise healthy. Internal bypass inside a worn module bleeds pressure that should be going to the active zone.

4. Grinding, Clunking or Rapid Cycling

A healthy module indexes quietly on a steady interval. Audible grinding from the valve, or a valve that cycles far faster than it used to, usually means gear wear.

5. Water Leaking From the Valve Seam

Water seeping from where the dome meets the base points at the shell O-ring. That O-ring is included with the 004-302-4408-00 module, which is why replacing the module and the O-ring together is the standard fix rather than two separate service calls.

6. Debris Building Up in Areas That Used to Stay Clean

The slow-onset version. Nothing dramatic breaks — you just start noticing sand and leaf litter collecting in the same corner every week, and the vacuum comes out more often. Zone by zone, coverage has been degrading long enough that you stopped noticing when it started.

What's Included with Part 004-302-4408-00

• Part number: 004-302-4408-00 (also written 004302440800)
• Configuration: 6-port water valve module
• Included: Valve shell / base O-ring (005-302-0100-00)
• Contains: Cam plate, gear assembly, factory-set pistons
• Power: None required — operates on pump flow
• Application: Paramount in-floor pool cleaning systems
• Brand: Paramount, a Hayward company
• Also cross-referenced as: 3227-02, 630029, PMT-201-604, 4-009-3189

The pistons come set from the factory, so there's nothing to adjust or tune during installation. It's a one-piece assembly that lifts out and drops in.

One thing that surprises people: these modules are wet-tested at the factory, so yours may arrive damp or with a little water inside. That's normal and not a sign of damage or a return.

Will the 6-Port Module Fit My System?

Count the Ports, Not the Heads

The number in the part name refers to ports on the valve, not pop-up heads in your pool. A six-port valve can feed a lot more than six heads — each port serves a zone, and a zone can contain several heads plumbed together. Don't count what's in the pool. Shut the pump off, open the valve, and count the outlets on the base.

Check the Valve Base

Six-port Paramount valve bases are commonly referenced as 005-302-4032-03 (2") and 005-302-4030-03 (1½"). If your base matches one of those, the 004-302-4408-00 module is the correct internal.

Systems It's Used In

The 6-port module is used across Paramount's in-floor lineup, including PCC2000, PV3, Pool Valet and Vanquish systems. It's also used in larger multi-valve setups where a 9-port or 12-port arrangement feeds a 6-port valve as part of the assembly. If your system is a combination setup, confirm which valve you're servicing before ordering.

When You're Not Sure

Take a photo of the open valve and the label on the base and bring it to one of our stores, or call us. Port count is not something you want to guess at, and it's a two-minute confirmation on our end. Paramount is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona — in-floor systems are extremely common in Phoenix and Las Vegas pools, and our counter staff work on these constantly.

Check These Before You Replace the Module

A module is not a cheap part, and a few other problems can imitate module failure. Rule these out first.

Filter Pressure and Pump Flow

The module needs adequate flow to index. A dirty filter, a clogged pump basket, a failing impeller, or a variable-speed pump running too low an RPM for in-floor operation will all produce weak pop-ups and sluggish or stalled sequencing. Clean the filter, check the baskets, and confirm your pump is running at the speed your in-floor system was designed for. Many VS pumps get dialed down for energy savings to the point where the in-floor system no longer functions correctly.

Individual Pop-Up Heads

If one or two heads in an otherwise healthy zone aren't performing, that's a head problem, not a valve problem. Heads wear out, get stuck down, or get plugged with debris and calcium. Those are replaced individually and cost a fraction of a module.

Debris in the Valve

Gravel, plaster chips or construction debris that made it past the pump basket can jam a module temporarily. Opening the valve and clearing it sometimes restores normal operation with no parts at all.

Air in the System

A suction-side air leak can make the whole system behave erratically, including inconsistent sequencing. If you're seeing bubbles at the returns or in the pump pot, fix that first and re-evaluate.

What Replacement Involves

Module replacement is within reach for a mechanically comfortable pool owner, and it's routine work for a service tech. In broad strokes:

1. Shut off the pump and relieve system pressure completely.
2. Open the valve to expose the module and note the orientation before removing anything.
3. Lift the old module out as a single assembly.
4. Clean the base and seat, then install the new shell O-ring included with the part.
5. Drop in the new module, reassemble, and restart the pump.
6. Watch a full cycle to confirm each zone fires in sequence.

Follow Paramount's installation instructions for your specific valve — this list is an overview, not a substitute for the manual. Because the pistons are factory-set, there's no adjustment step. If your valve base is cracked or the seat is damaged, stop and call a professional; a new module won't seal against a compromised base.

How Long Should a Module Last?

Owners commonly report getting several years out of a module before performance drops off, with five to six years being a frequently cited range. Actual life depends on how many hours a day your pump runs, water chemistry, and how much abrasive material passes through the valve.

In Arizona and Nevada, three local factors shorten module life:

• Hard water and high calcium. Scale on moving internals accelerates wear. Keeping calcium hardness and pH in range genuinely extends module life.
• Long run times. Phoenix and Las Vegas pools run more hours per year than pools in most of the country. More rotations, more wear.
• Monsoon debris. Dust storms push fine grit into the system in volume. Abrasive material moving through gear teeth is exactly what you don't want.

A module that's five-plus years old and showing sequencing symptoms is usually just at the end of its service life rather than defective.

Common Questions About the Paramount 6-Port Module

What does the Paramount 6-port water valve module do?

It rotates water flow between six zones of pop-up heads in a Paramount in-floor cleaning system. It houses the cam plate, gear assembly and pistons that index the valve, and it runs on pump flow with no electricity.

Does the 004-302-4408-00 module include the O-ring?

Yes. The valve shell O-ring (005-302-0100-00) is included with the module.

Why is it listed under both Hayward and Paramount?

Hayward acquired Paramount Leisure Industries — known in the trade as Paramount Pool & Spa Systems — in 2018. Paramount continues as its own brand, so the same part shows up under either name depending on the retailer. It's the same OEM component.

How do I know if I need a 6-port module or a different port count?

Turn off the pump, open the valve, and count the outlet ports on the base. Six-port bases are commonly 005-302-4032-03 (2") or 005-302-4030-03 (1½"). Don't count pop-up heads — one port can feed several heads.

Can I replace the module myself?

Many pool owners do. It's a one-piece drop-in with factory-set pistons and no adjustment required. You need to depressurize the system fully, keep track of orientation, and install the new O-ring on a clean seat. If the valve base itself is damaged, bring in a professional.

My module arrived wet. Is it defective?

No. Modules are wet-tested at the factory before shipping, so residual water inside the assembly is expected.

Will a new module fix weak pop-up heads?

Only if the weakness is caused by the module bleeding pressure across ports. If your filter is dirty, your pump is running too slow, or specific heads are worn or clogged, a new module won't help. Rule those out first.

How long does a Paramount water valve module last?

Owners frequently report five to six years, though it varies with run hours, water chemistry and debris load. Hard water and long pump run times — both normal in Arizona and Nevada — tend to shorten that window.

Get the Right Part the First Time

If your in-floor system is only cleaning part of the pool, the module is the most likely cause and the most direct fix. The Paramount 6-port water valve module 004-302-4408-00 is in stock and ships free within the US, and we also carry the rest of the Paramount in-floor parts lineup — pop-up heads, removal tools and accessories.

Not sure whether you need the 6-port or a different configuration? Bring a photo of your open valve to any of our stores, or call and describe what your zones are doing. We'd rather spend five minutes confirming the part than have you install the wrong one.