toilet leaks at join between halves

[DrGonzo]

There is a leak between the cistern and bowl on the toilet.
I think it's been there a while as the nuts and bolts joining the 2 halves look a bit rusty. It's nothing drastic but obviously I'd like to get this sorted as it is slowly rotting the wooden panels holding in the pipe work and f knows what the floorboards are like after probably 5 years of it being like this.

Is this just likely to be the whole flush valve needs replacing ?

 

[noseall]

it probably needs a new doghnut washer.

 

[DrGonzo]

This a common problem ?

So, just drain the cistern, separate 2 halves, replace washer, and refit, try again ?

 

[clf-gas]

correctamundo drgonzo.

 

[DrGonzo]

Do you need any grease around these washers or just as they are?
How come they fail after a certain amount of time - does the rubber just lose its springiness ?

Also, the nuts and bolts securing the pan to the cistern seem very rusty. Hopefully, they'll be okay but I don't want to break them. Just give a good spray with WD40 ?

Seems like it has been leaking for a while so I'm worried that the floor underneath might be rotten. The mdf covering all the pipes looks like it's rotting but still fairly stable. Probably collects a small jar of water every 3 days.

 

[wonderb0y]

replace them, get some plastic ones from any local merchants. why both risk it for the sake of a few quid

 

[DrGonzo]

replace them, get some plastic ones from any local merchants. why both risk it for the sake of a few quid

Sorry, I meant I didn't want to break them while taking them off. I was going to replace them for sure...