The throne, the John, the toilet (Isn't filling properly!)... help!

[eyetea]

Hi all,

 

Noticed a hissing sound in the cistern this morning, took the lid off and instead of being a decent trickle / stream of water from the fill valve thingy it's just spraying out a fine mist!

 

Still fills up (eventually..!) and stops, however it is way to slow to be useful, and I don't think the Mrs' would fancy filling it up with a bucket! (Doesn't mind as long as there is a fix in sight!)

 

I've had a look on a few forums and spoken to my Dad, who unfortunately can't pop over for a while, and we've come to the conclusion it's most likely a diaphragm.

 

Do you think it's worth taking it apart, trying to find the right diaphragm (Approx £3-4) and putting back together, or just getting a new entry fill valve like this (assuming it's the right one, I would take old one out and take it with me!!!)

 

All new to this DIY malarky!

 

Cheers for any help!

 

J

[Seb1780]

If yours looks like the one in the picture then replace the whole lot as getting to the innards inevitably breaks a bit of plastic somewhere. If it's of the older ball float type then replacing the diaphragm or washer is relatively painless.

[unixman_again]

An oldie but a goodie

[Oaktech]

Change the lot. New innards are about a tenner. It's just not worth arseing about changing a diaphragm. Edited September 18, 2014 by Oaktech
Spelling

[witch]

change the lot. new innards are about a tenner. It's just not worse arseing about changing a diaphragm.

 

ummm

[Oaktech]

*Autocorrect.

[eyetea]

Cheers all,

 

Will take the old lot out (looks similar to pic) and just take it down to screwfix with me to make sure I get something suitable!

 

J

[plexer]

Yup just take the old kit to screwfix and get whichever one is correct.

 

Test the shut off valve first though to make sure you can isolate it.

 

Is this a new area of tech support for edugeek?

 

Ben

[LincolnE]

As has been said, replace the lot. The same thing happened in my old uni house. Landlord changed just the basic parts, end result was the whole thing snapping off later down the line, causing flooding all over the place.

 

Better be safe than sorry (for the extra fiver or so, anyway).

[eyetea]

Replaced all last night, all working but need to borrow a proper pair of pliers to tighten it up properly!

[Seb1780]

Replaced all last night, all working but need to borrow a proper pair of pliers to tighten it up properly!

Pliers are not tightening tools. If you did get the one shown in your op you will not need to tighten it too much. If it's leaking between the cistern and the fitting try adding a bit of Plumbers Mate under the fitting's flange; if it's leaking between the fitting and the water supply change the washer / seal on the supply fixing. Over tightening these plastic fittings is easily done and will result in leaks, guaranteed.

[eyetea]

Destructions told me to hand tighten then do 1/4turn with whatever the right tool is then Is extremely slow but from fitting / cistern! fitting and supply fitted with PFTE (Or PTFE) tape whichever one it is!

[Seb1780]

Destructions told me to hand tighten then do 1/4turn with whatever the right tool is then

Sounds right, you need either a spanner of the correct size or an adjustable wrench - this way you put even pressure on both sides of the nylon nut that holds the fitting to the cistern. If you use pliers you risk deforming the nut because you have to squeeze it to get the pliers to grip.

[plexer]

PTFE

 

Ben

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Sad thing was I even know what ptfe stands for.

 

Ben

[eyetea]

Sounds right, you need either a spanner of the correct size or an adjustable wrench - this way you put even pressure on both sides of the nylon nut that holds the fitting to the cistern. If you use pliers you risk deforming the nut because you have to squeeze it to get the pliers to grip.

 

Will probably take apart again, dry the whole area up and put a bit of putty on it too. Was planning on using something along these lines.

[Seb1780]

Will probably take apart again, dry the whole area up and put a bit of putty on it too. Was planning on using something along these lines.

 

Make sure they are adjusted to the right width for the nut and use lightly and you should by OK. You don't want a distorted nut