Toilet cister flush valve

[Farmer Giles]

We have a close-coupled toilet cistern in our utility room which leaks. It doesn't leak externally, just into the bowl - the cistern overfills and water leaks into the bowl via the overflow. This is of a modern type that I have had no dealings with. It is of the type that fills from the bottom with a vertical column that has a float attached. These can be replaced entirely for about £15, but as this one is only about 2 years old I was wondering if it is possible to strip these down and replace the washers? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[MuddyMike]

I have one of those and after it had been in use for a while, it may have been about two years. I had to adjust the angle of the float to stop it overflowing. Its been no trouble at all for the past two years or so. I put it down to the washer bedding in.

Have a look at the float arm where it presses the valve. Mine has a threaded adjuster, just lengthen the screw thereby pushing the float deeper into the water, it might be all it needs.

Mike

[David P]

Have you tried adjusting the float before you look at anything else? (not meant to be facetious).

[Farmer Giles]

The float level is ok. That is very easy to adjust, but the problem is it is not shutting off the valve completely.

[David P]

OK - next question is have you tried a spot of vaseline on the piston that pushes the valve closed (it worked when our cistern had a similar problem).

I also reached the conclusion at the time that it was probably easier just to get a full replacement if that didn't work as the frustration level/time outweighed the cost for me.

[Rob Graham]

Reading about vaseline prompted me to mention that my cistern became hard to operate (flush button need a hard press) and I thought 'that's strange - it's all plastic. What could have happened?' So I oiled the flush mechanism with engine oil and it's fine now.

Rob Graham