Repair torbeck - broken cable

[billy fish]

Hi. For months we have had intermittent problems with water running after the flush. I have cleaned the washer by wiping my fingers around it. This worked for a while but the problem returned. We overcame it by jabbing the front flush button with a finger. This worked 100% in releasing closing the water off. Until yesterday when it stopped flushing altogether. I have looked inside the cistern. All is as before. I have removed the switch and taken it apart to see how it works. I can see that the metal cable that looks to be 'pulled' when thebuton is pressed now has no tension. I have looked at the main valve to see whether it has a removeable top part - to enable me to look inside to try to refix the cable. It seems as though the unit isn't removeable without removing the cistern to get at the nut. I think that it is a torbeck - it is mainly white with a blue moving tube. The cable cover to the switch is yellow - if that helps. I can't see any obvious clips that would allow me to take the main body away from the washer end. We now flush the thing by lifting up the blue moving tube - works but not a long-term solution! Any help hugely appreciated! many thanks.

 

[JohnD]

post some photos please

 

[billy fish]

this is it

 

[JohnD]

I can't tell if you mean the filling valve or the flush valve is faulty. The filling valve appears to be a Torbeck. If you lift the float gently with your finger, water should stop flowing after a moment. Does it? If not, it can be cleaned or replaced fairly easily.

If it's the flush valve dribbling or no longer flushing, I'd just change it for a Fluidmaster. You will have to empty the cistern and lift it off. This is quite difficult if the screws underneath have rusted and you need to saw through them.

I'm sorry I don't recognise the flush valve.

 

[Newboy]

The flush valve is usually welded together and can be a pig to get apart. The flush valve will have a top section that can be removed by rotating anti-clockwise leaving the mounting cradle still attached to the cistern - providing the cistern backnut was fitted properly!

Flush valve might be either an Opella or a Siamp (or a cheap copy of either)

 

[billy fish]

thanks - the problem is with the flush valve not the filing valve. I'll have a look at twisting and removing the top part. It was installed by a very experienced and competent plumber a few years ago (not me!). Does my thinking regarding the cable make sense? I have pulled it a bit and reckon that it has come off inside the flush valve. thanks for your help

 

[billy fish]

here it is... and there was somethng rattling inside it... the brass cable stop has come off (it's on the sink). Not repairable I think. I'll try to get a matching replacement valve and change it over. thanks

 

[billy fish]

photos

 

[JohnD]

Opella amalgamated with Fluidmaster a few years ago, but you may be able to get parts if you email [email protected]

the same company does Delchem

 

[Newboy]

This may be of some use

http://www.shop.lunns.net/munk-flush-valve-254369-p.asp