Leaking around toilet tank bolts - afraid to tighten too much...

[blueman]

I replaced the gasket and tank bolts of a 10+ year old toilet. The tank bolt kit included rubber-fiber and stainless washers. The kit warned about tightening the bolts too much and potentially cracking the porcelain but I still tightened them a fair bit - enough to deform the rubber washers.

When I filled the tank, water dripped out in a steady stream from both sides. Tightening the nuts a bit more didn't seem to make much of a difference.

I don't see any crack in the porcelain and the contact surface around the washers seems pretty flat without any noticeable pits, bumps, or cracks.

- Is there any "trick" to making the joints leak tight or do I just need to keep tightening?

- How likely am I to crack it if I tighten more?

- Am I better off adding some pure silicon caulk to make it watertight or do I just keep tightening until the leaking stops and hope the porcelain won't crack?

- Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[Mike rock]

Smething else is wrong. The wax seal might be no good, or maybe the drain is clogged or perhaps you have a crack in your toilet you can't see. The only way you are going to tell is if you remove the toilet.

[William Munny]

If the washers are deformed, you may have tightened the bolts too much. Consider replacing the washers with some new high quality ones-- maybe even new bolts too.

[Chuck]

You mention that you tightened the bolts "enough to deform the rubber washers". This may be the problem. A deformed washer is not seated properly and could cause the leak. Replace the washers and then don't tighten them so much that they are deformed. CB

[Charlie]

Be sure that the sequence of putting on the washers etc. is right.

Check out this video

Charlie

[Bob F]

Amazing how many people reply without reading the origional post.

Wax seal? On a toilet tank?

[Thomas]

I was thinking the same thing.

[blueman]

Turns out that I had replace the bolts/washers in the original order bolt metal washer rubber washer tank bottom bowl rim rubber washer metal washer nut

However, the replacement parts came with a difficult to follow diagram which I in retrospect realized was: bolt metal washer rubber washer tank bottom nut

bowl rim rubber washer metal washer nut

This makes sense in that it allows you to tighten the seal at the tank independent of the connection to the bowl. It also allows the seal to sit perfectly flat and reduces the risk of cracking the tank/bowl just in order to get a tight seal

I decided to do this one better by purchasing a pack of spare rubber washers and doing the following: bolt metal washer rubber washer tank bottom rubber washer metal washer nut

bowl rim rubber washer metal washer nut

I also added some plumbers putty for good measure. Works like a charm...

Thanks for motivating me to look more carefully at the package...

[bob haller]

I ALWAYS add some silicone caulk to each bolt, and under sink drain fittings to prevent leaks.

this after a persistent leak the plumber disassembled and used silicone caulk.......

cost about 80 bucks lesson learned