Can't remove toilet cistern

[Nursejane38]

Hi I am trying to remove the cistern as It has a little leak on the bolts connecting it to the bowl, I have removed the plastic tighteners on the bolts (and screws to the wall) and I think I have separated the water pipe (see picture) but I still can't get it off at all. I am doing this for an elderly client who can't afford a plumber he said he thinks the donut seal was replaced about 6 months ago so I think it might be sealant.

My thinking is that it's either the water pipe not coming apart

Or it's sealant is keeping it stuck down

What is your advice?

This is the water pipe I have loosened the screw but (by finger) so it should just pull off shouldn't it? Or do I have to unscrew another part?

Thank you for any help.

 

[terryplumb]

If you have removed the 2 nuts and their washers from the cistern to pan connection bolts ,the cistern should lift upwards and off the pan.
The float valve connection to the supply pipe appears to be disconnected.
Is there any movement/ play between cistern and wall ? If not it may be silicone between them.

 

[Nursejane38]

If you have removed the 2 nuts and their washers from the cistern to pan connection bolts ,the cistern should lift upwards and off the pan.
The float valve connection to the supply pipe appears to be disconnected.
Is there any movement/ play between cistern and wall ? If not it may be silicone between them.

Hi thank you for your reply there wasn't any nuts and washers just plastic tighteners (pic below) not really any movement at all from the cistern so I'm assuming it is silicone, if it is how do I get it off if I can't get to it?

 

[Alec_t]

Is this lighter area silicone or just absent paint?

 

[terryplumb]

The plastic thing is a nut.
Can you move the threaded bolts about from below, or are they totally rigid with no upward or sideways movement at all ?
A picture from above the cistern ( with lid removed),so we can see the other end of the bolts and where cistern meets the wall could be helpful.

 

[foxhole]

May have removed toilet seat nuts not the cistern .?

 

[Nursejane38]

Hi sorry for late reply, It is just absent paint on the wall, the bolts have a little movement left and right they don't move up and down at all, I am currently at another client so I can't take a picture but they are normal cross head bolts with a circular plastic washer around them. The cistern was screwed to the wall and I removed the 2 screws holding it to the wall.

The toilet seat is still connected it's definitely not them.

And thank you to everyone for your help it is really appreciated

 

[terryplumb]

So you can see the bolt heads if you view from inside the cistern ?
If so ,the only thing left keeping the cistern on the pan would be silicone in between them.
Have you tried to apply a firm upward pressure on the cistern, to see if the two will separate ?