Toilet Won't Stop Filling Mystery

[Joe123]

I've had a google around and don't seem to be able to find the solution for this toilet that won't stop running. It's bad timing too as I just had a meter installed! I'm really hoping someone here might be able to assist me as I can't really afford a call-out and a subsequent markup on any necessary parts.

Here is a photo - the filler thing is different in design to the ones I've found in online trouble-shooting articles...



Basically, the cistern fills up, and the rate of filling slows as usual as it gets to the top, but it just goes on filling at that slower rate, pouring down the overflow tube into the bowl.

The float (a grey plastic cup, you see) is rising and the mechanism on top (the circular grey bit) is changign angles - it's not jammed.

I took the circular grey bit off. On the underside is a small black runner bit, and on top of the white column that it covers there is a small hole. It appears to my untrained eye that the water is supposed to shut off when the grey bit changes angle, bringing the little rubber bit against the small hole. When I had the grey bit off, I tried covering the small hole with my thumb and it still didn't shut the water off... I don't know if that means the problem is with a sensor of some kind? Or maybe I'm theorising it all wrong.

Some help would be very much appreciated. The toilet was installed, all new, nearly 2 years ago. Maybe 9 months or so ago it did this, and I took it apart and fiddled with it for over an hour before losing patience with it and hitting it with a hammer... which seemed to work!

Thanks guys

 

[Simon F]

the small black rubber bit is the diaphragm washer.
- swap that for a new one..:ihih:

 

[glasgowplumber]

As above. If you're unsure there's loads of different YouTube videos on it as well. If you've already taken it apart once then I'd imagine you'll be fine

 

[Joe123]

hmm well the small black rubber bit I'm referring to I don't think is a diaphragm washer - it's literally just a small black rubber patch, perpahs 3mm in diameter, in the middle of the underside of the top grey bit. I assumed that its function was to settle on top of the hole and signal the cistern is full.

Does that make sense? But it's not a washer, it's just a little rubber pad.

I will try to get a photo up ASAP!

Thank you for your replies, I appreciate it!

 

[brum]

Hi there for the sake of a tenner just put anew valve in

 

[Joe123]

Here is a photo when I take off the grey bit, so you can see the underside



I

 

[PlumbBobBob]

as said, itis time to bite the bullet and get a new fill valve

 

[IDCHAPPY]

2 guys above are spot on, you'll waste more time fannying about with that over and over than just buyimg a new one dude 🙂

 

[Joe123]

Hi Guys!

hahaha message received - stop fannying. Because I also had a leaky tap I actually was about to give up - I asked a neighbor if he knew a good local plumber and he said "I'll come around at 6:30". Around he came, dismantled the filler valve, couldn't put it back together and left! So it was down to me (and my 3 yearold) - a quick trip to B&Q and we've fixed both things! I know, both are very simple but I am a novice and REALLY keen to become more capable in these types of things. So it's a start!

I do have a follow-on question though I'm afraid. No sooner had I completed those two tasks, feeling very proud, did I notice that the tap which controls the mains into the flat is now leaking. It lives in a small hold by the sink in the bathroom. There's a slow leak from the body of it. Perhaps from being turned on and off during this process?

This is a photograph:




Before I attack it, I just thought I'd check with you guys... this is simple right? Turn off the water outside the house, unscrew this tap from both ends, get a replacement from B&Q, screw it in and turn on... right?

Thank you again!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

joe, is the stopcock leaking from the nut round the spindle? if it is it will be simple to fix.

 

[lame plumber]

by tightening the nut on the spindle slightly first

 

[WaterTight]

good on you for having a go.