Getting into cistern

[Martin Pentreath]

I have an ideal standard cistern on my loo which I can't get into. It's the usual ceramic arrangement with a lid that looks like it should lift off. However, the lid has two "flushing buttons" set into it. These stainless steel buttons form a circle, a bit like a "ying yang" symbol. One is for a full flush, the other is for a half flush. Around this circle formed by the buttons is a stainless steel "collar". The whole flushing control mechanism seems to have secured the lid to the cistern's innards so I get remove the lid at all. I can't seem to twist the collar in any way to unscrew anything, and I'm at a loss to find any way in at all. I can't believe that the thing is a sealed unit. Anyone got any clues as to how to open it?

[John Rumm]

That is the key - unscrew the collar - it should only be done up finger tight.

[Brian Sharrock]

On mine - yours may vary- the ying-yang thingies are the way in! Depress one of them - and you should be able to see a 'thumb-nail' depression in the side of the other half. Insert thumb nail -or flat blade screwdriver- into the depression and pull out vertically. The other half of the button should then pull out easily. You'll see a screw at the base of the aperture that accepts the ying-yang buttons. This screw is the securing mechanism for holding the ceramic lid onto the cistern.

HTH

[PeTe33]

Ours is as John said. The shiny ring around the buttons just unscrews, then all becomes clear. If you can't get a grip to unscrew, try slipping a "Marigold" on or a latex glove.

Unless you have one like Brian's of course.

:¬)

[Martin Pentreath]

Many thanks Brian, it was one like yours, the ying-yang mystery is now solved.

[Ed Sirett]

If this is going to be a common failure mode then I can see a replacement flush button market developing in due course.

Some makes do indeed just lift off and it may be that once word get around that the screwed down ones are unfixable the designs may change pronto.

[Brian Sharrock]

Thamks for your thanls! - I was 'given' the key to the mystery by the merchant from whom I purchased the toilet set. After I'd spent 'yonks' examining the contraption in the showroom, I 'caught the eye' of a yoof .... 'Oi! How do I get into this .... ?; 'Like this, Sir/Cur!' he demonstrated ... in seconds .... :)