Aqualisa 605 shower mixer - removing control knob

[Bill]

hi

I have a 9 year old aqualisa shower mixer which has started to leak very badly around the control knob all of a sudden today.

Reading previous threads here suggest the cartridge has probably failed and I simply need to replace it.

I am unable to remove the control knob (item 12 in above URL). I did read there may be a retaining screw behind the Aqualisa badge but I've been equally unsuccessful in prising off the badge and the above diagram doesn't suggest there is even a screw behind the badge.

Can anyone confirm whether or not there is a retaining screw behind the badge, or am I wasting my time trying to prise the badge off on this particular model?

thanks in advance

bill

[Peter Andrews]

IIRC it just pulls off. Aqualisa support has been first rate the couple of times I have rung for assistance. But you are right it is certainly the cartridge that has failed and yes they are about £100 :-(

Aqualisa Products Limited, The Flyer's Way, Westerham, Kent. TN16 1DE.

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Opening hours 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday

Peter

[The Medway Handyman]

I think it depends on the age. I've repaired Aquamixers and some have a screw, some just pull straight off - have you tried that? Looks to me like it pulls off.

Give Aqualisa a call on 01959 560010. Their technical help line is 100% brilliant, best I've ever come across.

Last one I repaired it was the Gasket with Filter leaking, part no; 213019

BTW that cartridge is only £85 from them direct + P&P and the gasket only £3.57. Buy the bits direct.

[Bill]

thanks for the replies so far.

I tried pulling the knob off earlier when I got home from work but it didn't seem to want to budge. Even tried levering it off carefully but it just seemed to spring back into position.

I'm guessing Aqualisa isn't open on Saturdays.

The local Plumbase have told me they have the grey cartridges in stock for =A378. I think that included VAT but I could be wrong. It needs to be fixed asap as the water supply has been shut off at the main stop c*ck.

bill

[Bill]

update:

This morning, I did finally remove the control knob but had to use two screwdrivers on either side to lever it off the knob. Limescale I guess must have caused the knob to be 'seized' onto the end of the spindle. The gasket had failed, cleaning and refitting didn't totally cure the big leak but it was better than the water gushing out. (system is mains water pressure fed)

So bought a new grey cartridge kit which included new gasket/screws etc from Plumbase for =A378.25.

Unfortunately I didnt realise it is also 'recommended' the hot water O ring should be replaced and I don't fancy taking it all apart to fit it as it took me ages to refit the inner shroud (I didn't remove the outer shroud/plate which is siliconed to the wall)

Can someone tell me what the symptoms are for a failed/worn hot water O ring? I'm not seeing any leaks, or drips from the shower head if that helps

cheers

bill

[Bill]

update:

This morning, I did finally remove the control knob but had to use two screwdrivers on either side to lever it off the knob. Limescale I guess must have caused the knob to be 'seized' onto the end of the spindle. There was no retention screw as advised. The leak was due to the gasket having failed, cleaning and refitting didn't totally cure the problem but it was better than the water previouslyl gushing out. (system is mains water pressure fed)

So I bought a new grey cartridge kit which included new gasket/screws etc from Plumbase for =A378.25.

Unfortunately I didnt realise it is also 'recommended' the hot water O ring should be replaced, and I don't fancy taking it all apart again to fit it as it took me ages to refit the inner shroud (I didn't remove the outer shroud/plate which is siliconed to the wall)

Can someone tell me what the usual symptoms are for a failed/worn hot water O ring? I'm not seeing any leaks, or drips from the shower head if that helps. Everything appears to be working as normal but it is early days....

cheers

bill

[Bill]

sorry for the double posted 'update'.

I forgot to add there was some damage to the outer rim of the old cartridge where it is used to keep the gasket in position. This may or may not have been contributing to the original leak.

I'd appreciate it if someone could enlighten me with regards to the usual symptoms to be expected from a faulty hot water O ring as I have chosen not to replace this item inside the mixer body.

thanks.

bill

[Bill]

final update:

I phoned Aqualisa this Monday morning and found them to be very helpful in answering some questions I had.

They confirmed if the hot water O ring became faulty, then hot water would leak out of the shower head.

As I am not seeing any leak from the shower head since replacing the cartridge, I can assume the old O ring is working fine.

thanks to all who answered my original question over the weekend.

b

[jmrcain]

To anyone still looking at this thread - my aquavalve 700 did have the reta ining screw. Best way of getting the badge out (having given up on the kni fe / screwdriver combo) is to put some safety glasses on and give the badge a light buzz with a power drill. Be warned - plastic shards go everywhere . Badge falls to pieces. Great success. J

[jongibbins14]

How did u remove the knob

[Adrian Caspersz]

Originally posted in 2007

The last wisdom in 2015,

"give the badge a light buzz with a power drill. Be warned - plastic shards go everywhere. Badge falls to pieces. Great success"

Or you could ask someone to read the thread to you, where it is actually answered.

[Brian Gaff]

Yes I think the answer was pull out the middle with a sucker and there was a kind of collet nut thingy.

Brian

[ced8074]

I persisted on the badge with thin blade electricians knife and the retaining screw is behind it on a 609 no need for drill :)

[Brian Gaff (Sofa 2)]

Lets hope its not one of those self destructing devices that spray all the bits in different directions as soon as the cover is removed!! Brian

[marcin.stangel]

Thank you all for contributing to this thread. I have an aquavalve 700, with exactly same leak. I need to take it apart, and this thread actually gave me a good idea of where to look.

Also one of you mentioned Aqualisa support - you were 100% right, I couldn't find out what model I have (installed by property developer - new build) , but as soon as I gave them the picture, they were: yep, that's aquavalve 700.

Thank you all so much, especially to the OP for such detailed updates. Appreciate that !

Kind regards Marcin