Triton T80si shower dripping from outlet

[Philip]

Our Triton T80si has started to drip from the outlet (that feeds the shower head). The drip continues with the electric supply turned off.

There are no obvious internal leaks when I remove the outer casing.

Searching the web suggests a number of things that it MIGHT be, but I can't seem to find anything which either (1) suggests what it is MOST LIKELY to be, or (2) a set of diagnostic tests/procedures to go through to determine where the problem actually lies.

So I'm throwing myself on the collective of uk.d-i-y for any suggestions.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Philip explained on 04/01/2014 :

If you drop the shower head down, so it drains, does it restart dripping eventually ? If so I would suggest the solenoid valve is leaking. If it doesn't, it is possibly the sealing washer between flexible pipe and the shower unit outlet.

[Philip]

Thanks for the very quicky reply!

Yes - I have unscrewed the hose going to the shower head at the shower end, and it's dripping from the outlet at the bottom of the shower with the hose disconnected.

So a new solenoid valve is the first thing that I should try?

[harryagain]

You may find one of the two holes in the diaphragm in the solenoid valve wants clearing. If it's blocked the valve won't close. One hole in the centre, one (very small) halfway between centre and edge of diaphragm.

[Brian Gaff]

Sounds like hard water issues perhaps?

Brian

[Philip]

Possible. We live in quite a hard water area, and our water softener has been on the blink for a few months. Coincidentally, the shower leak started on the same day that we had the softener replaced (with an EcoWater ESM 15

+).

I'll try dismantling the solenoid valve (as per a suggestion on here from Harry) and see whether the holes in the diaphram are blocked.

Otherwise I may just replace the whole shower. A new solenoid valve is about £30, and a complete new Triton Alicante unit (with 2 year guarantee) can be got for £85 on eBay.

Many thanks for all teh suggestions.

Philip

[fred]

In article , Philip writes

Thirty quid may actually be cheap compared with the potential re-work involved in changing a shower with even slightly different elec or water entries.

You may find that the Triton solenoid is the same pattern as an old style washing machine one but with as split moulding on the output that can be transferred to a replacement which may be available for as little as £5-10. No current sources I'm afraid as the last time I did this I used an in-stock W/M valve.

[Shaun]

replying to fred, Shaun wrote: Just to add to this thread. I have just had exactly the same problem.

I just very lightly tapped the solenoid a few times on each side with a spanner and for some reason the drip has totally stopped.

So potentially worth trying before purchasing a new one. I assume I somehow cleared the blockage by gentle tapping.

[david]

Tapping the solenoid with a screwdriver stopped the dripping for me! Assume likewise that something small was blocking it from fully closing.