Moen 1222 Positemp - Erratic mixing

[jpnelson1994]

I'm having an issue (i think) with my Moen 1222 Positemp mixer being very erratic with the temperature of the shower from use to use. One day it'll work fine (mixes temp exactly in line with movement of the handle)... the next day we have to crank the handle all the way to the 9 o'clock position just to get warm water. I replaced this cartridge about a year ago and it seemed to fix the issue for a while, however, it is gradually becoming a more regular occurrence.

I have found that sometimes moving the handle very slowly up to the 10-11 o'clock position will get the mixer to put out the right temperature, but even that isn't a consistent work-around.

Any ideas from the expert DIYers or Pros would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Justin Nelson

 

[breplum]

Replace the cartridge.

 

[Steve_K2]

I was about to post pretty much the same question for the same Moen cartridge. Here's what I've got:

-- Turn left, get only hot water, too hot for a shower, and without much pressure.
-- Turn right, starts cold; keep turning, gets warm; keep turning all the way and pressure is quite high.

I'd replace the cartridge except that I did it just "yesterday." A few months ago, actually, but it's a guest bath, and no one used the shower since then. Just had another guest (family) use the shower and the above is what he reported, and that I confirmed.

I put in a new cartridge a few months ago. Should I still replace it?

Is it possible to install the cartridge wrong? (Wouldn't put it past me.)

 

[TomFOhio]

Make sure you are using a genuine Moen cartridge. The H&C letters go on the top. If you have shut offs on the body
make sure they are completely open.

 

[Steve_K2]

Make sure you are using a genuine Moen cartridge. The H&C letters go on the top. If you have shut offs on the body
make sure they are completely open.

I'd bought the cartridge at Home Depot, so think it's safe to assume it's genuine. I'll check the H&C letters when I pull it out today. Hope I can locate the shutoffs. (Edit: here they are, .) Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

 

[Steve_K2]

Fixed it, but not sure how.

When it didn't work -- no controlling how hot the water got -- the plastic knob started with OFF at 12 o'clock. Turning left gave hot water (but too hot), turning right gave cold water. Turning a little more right gave lukewarm water. No way to enjoy a nice shower.

Now the faucet seems to work correctly. The more we turn the knob (CCW), the warmer the water gets. Oddly, the OFF position now starts at 6 o'clock, not 12, and the knob can't be turned CW from OFF.

Both cartridges, old and new, are 1222. Both were installed with HC at the top.

My guess for the different performance is the brass square that takes the screw. YouTube videos say something about it being inserted with a cut on the bottom. Hard to see if you're not looking for it. Maybe my first installation had it at the top. Only thing I can think of, and am not too sure about that.

Hope this helps someone out there.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Sounds like your handle maybe spinning 360 degrees. It shouldn’t be able to do that.

 

[TomFOhio]

Handle is suppose to be pointed down at 6:00. Glad you got it working.