Franke Olympu Kitchen Mixer Tap washer and O ring replacement.

[Clare]

Hi, I bravely decided to replace the washers and O ring myself after the tap leaking for ages at the bit that swivels. I removed the grub screw at the back but then had to get a friend to pull the curved part out as it was stuck. I replaced the two washers and the o ring but I now can't get the top of the tap back in the hole. This should be so simple! Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[king of pipes]

Sometimes have to put the tap spout back in a certain way as has a groove inside turn it to lock it in position then put the grub screw back in , kop

 

[Riley]

Also a dab of silicon grease always helps

 

[Best]

As KOPs post - and also recommend you use some non toxic silicone grease (or a little Vaseline if you don’t have silicone grease)

Had to edit post as Riley beat me in mentioning silicone grease. 🙂

 

[Clare]

Also a dab of silicon grease always helps

Thank you, I'll have try...

 

[ShaunCorbs]

washing ip liquid works also

 

[SimonG]

It's like aligning all the planet's.

Sometimes there's a plastic ring with a cut out that has to go in the right place as well.

 

[Clare]

Well, despite all the advice, I'm beaten. I've tried the lubrication and have tried to find a groove to locate it in the right position but it just goes in by a few millimetres and stops dead. I'll have to 'get a man in' after all. Thanks though x

 

[Best]

Well, despite all the advice, I'm beaten. I've tried the lubrication and have tried to find a groove to locate it in the right position but it just goes in by a few millimetres and stops dead. I'll have to 'get a man in' after all. Thanks though x

Hope you were supplied with correct O rings? If they are too tight, then no chance of shoving it in.
The grooves also must be totally clean - (no remains of old O rings etc.)

 

[Welder]

Hope you were supplied with correct O rings? If they are too tight, then no chance of shoving it in.
The grooves also must be totally clean - (no remains of old O rings etc.)

Have to say that's my suspicion too!

Clare, where did you get the o-rings?

Oh, please do not use petroleum jelly to lube nor washing up liquid. Both will harm the o-rings by causing the rubber to break down.

 

[Welder]

It's like aligning all the planet's.

Sometimes there's a plastic ring with a cut out that has to go in the right place as well.

Don't think she's even getting to that point Si!

 

[SimonG]

True

 

[Welder]

Clare I've just reread your original post. Is it the spout we are talking about here of the tap valves themselves?

 

[Clare]

Hope you were supplied with correct O rings? If they are too tight, then no chance of shoving it in.
The grooves also must be totally clean - (no remains of old O rings etc.)

I ordered the bits and bobs on the Internet and assume they are the right ones. They came in a little kit for that tap but perhaps I'm being optimistic!

 

[Clare]

Clare I've just reread your original post. Is it the spout we are talking about here of the tap valves themselves?

It's the bit that swivels in the middle, not the taps either side.

 

[Welder]

Thanks. Any chance of a picture of the new parts installed onto the spout pls?

 

[Clare]

Don't think she's even getting to that point Si!

Oh ye of little faith! I've replaced the two washers that are different sizes and the white plastic one above those that has the split in it.

 

[Clare]

Thanks. Any chance of a picture of the new parts installed onto the spout pls?

Sorry, already at work.

 

[Clare]

Have to say that's my suspicion too!

Clare, where did you get the o-rings?

Oh, please do not use petroleum jelly to lube nor washing up liquid. Both will harm the o-rings by causing the rubber to break down.

I did have my suspicions about the petroleum jelly so just used more of the lubricant supplied with the kit. I'm am beginning to think they are just the wrong size parts.

 

[Welder]

I did have my suspicions about the petroleum jelly so just used more of the lubricant supplied with the kit. I'm am beginning to think they are just the wrong size parts.

That's why I'd like to see a picture. From that I'm pretty sure I'll be able to instantly tell if that's the case.

The reality with taps Clare is that manufs often change parts during a products life - its all to do with upping profits you'll be surprised to hear 😉 The real problem is that they rarely let their spares companies know and Franke outsource their spares business.

 

[king of pipes]

Take a picture of the spout and a view from the top of the tap body so we can see it please . Kop

 

[Welder]

Also one from the side of where the O-rings fit so I can see how well they fit pls

 

[Clare]

Hi, still not home to take a pic and have booked a plumber who's coming in the morning. Thank you everyone for your help though. I shall be more wary if I ever take it upon myself to try anything else!

 

[SimonG]

Kudos for giving it a go.

Let us know what the issue was.

 

[Clare]

Kudos for giving it a go.

Let us know what the issue was.

It was the wrong sized replacement bits and bobs. It seems so simple now I know! Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions.

 

[MK03]

My electric shower's stabilising valve recently strarted leaking at the spindle (presume the o-ring had been compressed with the constant turning).
Went to my local plumbing merchant and bought both the closest metric and imperial versions, both would not allow me to push the spindle back in. Triton wanted £30 for a replacement valve so I put, quite literally, a slither of ptfe around the o-ring grrove, then o-ring over it. Hey presto, no leak!