Help with slow leaking close coupled toilet

[dena007]

Hi all, Have a modern newish toilet cistern - 2 years old. Have noticed that the cistern keeps refilling for no reason.
The water is very slowly leaking into the pan
I have turned off the water supply, and within a couple of hours the cistern is completely empty.
I have tried cleaning the flapper? with a cloth and by hand, and have refilled the cistern with a cup full of bleach and ran that all through again, but with same result?
Problem is, I cannot get access to the underneath of the cistern as it is close-coupled?
How do I remove/inspect/replace the flapper?
Any ideas?

 

[CBF]

have you used bleach in the cistern before ?

never ever put bleach in a cistern it destroys the rubber washers

 

[dena007]

have you used bleach in the cistern before ?

never ever put bleach in a cistern it destroys the rubber washers

I googled it and that was one of the solutions?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Get a new washer for your flush valve or fit a new flush valve.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fluidmaster-push-button-cable-dual-flush-valve/51173

It will mean removing the cistern from the toilet.

Andy

 

[mogget]

Just goes to show that not everything you read from google is the truth.

Try cleaning the seat of the valve as well as the flapper if you haven't done so already.

I suspect you may need a new flush valve though, this will mean taking the cistern off the pan to access the nut.

EDIT: HertsDrainage beat me to it

 

[dena007]

Get a new washer for your flush valve or fit a new flush valve.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fluidmaster-push-button-cable-dual-flush-valve/51173

It will mean removing the cistern from the toilet.

Andy

Hi,just looked at that one - my loo has a push button on the top, have just added an image to original post - any idea what brand it is? I cannot see anything written on the syphon

 

[HERTS P&D]

Turn off the water to the cistern, flush the toilet and grip the flush valve and turn anti clock wise. (about a 1/4 of a turn and lift out) It will come undone then you can remove and inspect the flush valve washer, you may find a replacement washer.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fl...Ace2PZiEgcgL&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=653

This shows you how to change the flush valve from start to finish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nDgSSFBt3I

Andy

 

[dena007]

Turn off the water to the cistern, flush the toilet and grip the flush valve and turn anti clock wise. (about a 1/4 of a turn and lift out) It will come undone then you can remove and inspect the flush valve washer, you may find a replacement washer.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fl...Ace2PZiEgcgL&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=653

Andy

Thanks Andy, it does look as though it should come undone, but, the whole thing moves, and I can't get underneath to undo any fixings? When I try and turn it 1/4 turn, should I be looking at just the top bit coming off, or the whole thing?

 

[HERTS P&D]

The whole thing should come out leaving a securing nut that goes through the cistern. If you look at the sides of the valve you can see lugs that go into a slot either side of the valve. You can see one of them in your picture.

Try again, if the whole thing turns then try and hold the base still with your left hand while turn the upper part with your right. Once it is apart you will understand how it works and see the washer.

Andy

 

[dena007]

The whole thing should come out leaving a securing nut that goes through the cistern. If you look at the sides of the valve you can see lugs that go into a slot either side of the valve. You can see one of them in your picture.

Try again, if the whole thing turns then try and hold the base still with your left hand while turn the upper part with your right. Once it is apart you will understand how it works and see the washer.

Andy

Brilliant, thanks for the clear explanation. I'll have a go and update later. Cheers

 

[mogget]

It's possible if the flush valve is loose the water may be leaking past the nut rather than past the washer. A good clean and tighten and all may be sorted with no parts bought. But this would mean taking the cistern off and possibly a new doughnut.

 

[dena007]

It's possible if the flush valve is loose the water may be leaking past the nut rather than past the washer. A good clean and tighten and all may be sorted with no parts bought. But this would mean taking the cistern off and possibly a new doughnut.

Yes, I've just managed to remove the flush valve, and the bit that's left actually twists all the way around? I'm assuming it shouldn't! I can see the drip of the water and it must be coming through the nut itself. I can't feel or see any washer, but, there is some sort of putty which is soft and coming away in bits?
View media item 58767[/img]

 

[HERTS P&D]

The flush valve you have taken out - turn it over and there should be a washer.

Andy

 

[dena007]

The flush valve you have taken out - turn it over and there should be a washer.

Andy

There is and it's fine. The water is leaking underneath the bit that's left

 

[mogget]

There's no way to sort this without taking the cistern off.

Once you've removed the cistern (should be two bolts and the float valve) I would use some silicone sealant on the valve, do the nut up medium tight, reassemble and it should be fixed.

If there's a rubber washer, you won't need the silicone sealant.