Same problem

Advertise with us
Support your community
Shop deals on ebay
shop deals on amazon
Plumbing Forums

Help Support Plumbing Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
T

techiegirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2021
Messages
76
Reaction score
7
Location
USA
My toilet would periodically drain and fill...so I replaced with the Fluidmaster 555C Flush Valve repair kit with 502 Performax High performance flapper and drain seat. I still have to keep turning off the water every time I use the toilet. I don't know where it's draining from. It also seems at time to drain from the toilet a little, but not really..I turned off the water and just checked and it down but not completely..Any help?
 
Last edited:
Refill tube is outside that overflow tube attached with zip tie over flap (that makes sure the flap gets shut in the past ... Just checked water turned off and the water level is ok in the toilet. Just don't know what it just does this thing. That is why I replaced everything. Also pictures won't show anything other than than the normal way it is set up.
 
I've done it both ways with the same results.... yes set up is exactly the same as the picture. 1) with reful tube outside 2) with inside, same result.. with it outside it fills the tank but the water is going somewhere and 1) is in the refill tube, it does down the tube nothing seems to change the constant filling.
 
Refill tube water should be directed into the overflow and the outlet of the refill tube where the water exits should be above the water line in the tank when it finishes filling.
 
If the refill tube is above and directed into the overflow tube, and the water level is below the overflow tube by 1/2" or so, and the flapper and drain seat are new and properly installed, and the chain that lifts the flapper is not holding the flapper open, and there is no debris between the flapper and drain seat, the water in the tank should not be able to get into the bowl. Maybe put some food color into the water in the tank when everything is at rest and see if any colored water makes its way into the bowl. The overflow tube could have a crack in it below the water level.
 
I did that and that is how I knew the flapper was bad and went ahead and replaced everything. I don't have any food color and not driving 10 miles each way for food coloring LOL I'll try coffee. However, just looked at the toilet and tank (water shut off) and it hasn't leaked everything stable geeze ...twilight zone I guess. If it starts doing it again I'll try the coloring and see but I don't think it's the flapper as it is the repair with a good seal.

MicEd69 said:
If the refill tube is above and directed into the overflow tube, and the water level is below the overflow tube by 1/2" or so, and the flapper and drain seat are new and properly installed, and the chain that lifts the flapper is not holding the flapper open, and there is no debris between the flapper and drain seat, the water in the tank should not be able to get into the bowl. Maybe put some food color into the water in the tank when everything is at rest and see if any colored water makes its way into the bowl. The overflow tube could have a crack in it below the water level.
Click to expand...
 
It maybe the fill valve. It isn't a black and white answer that is why we asked for pics. Just because your bowl loses water doesn't cause the tank to fill, you need to flush the tank into the bowl. If the fill valve is bad it could be causing the water into the fill tube and down into the bowl which would cause that to drain
 
CT-18 said:
It maybe the fill valve. It isn't a black and white answer that is why we asked for pics. Just because your bowl loses water doesn't cause the tank to fill, you need to flush the tank into the bowl. If the fill valve is bad it could be causing the water into the fill tube and down into the bowl which would cause that to drain
Click to expand...
I'm thinking so but can't return to amazon, too late :-( How do you check/test to see if it's the fill valve? It's brand new
 
For the fill valve to be the problem, it would raise the water level in the tank and cause water to flow into the overflow tube. So, there would be constant flow of water into the tank and into the bowl. But a bad fill valve would not cause the water level in the tank to fall.

Again, if the overflow tube has a crack in it, water will flow from the tank into the bowl.
 
the water level is below the the overflow tube...watching what happens, just water starts coming out of the tube to fill the tank and stops..and goes and stops.
 
I think I would try the test of shutting the water off, put coloring of some kind in the tank, and see if it migrates into the bowl.
That should give a starting point at least.
But with the water off, if the water in the tank is going down, your flapper is leaking or your overflow tube is leaking.
 
Yes the flapper is not leaking as the water is clear using color, so you are probably correct, the overflow tube is leaking somewhere but not where the water in the tank is.
 
techiegirl said:
the water level is below the the overflow tube...watching what happens, just water starts coming out of the tube to fill the tank and stops..and goes and stops.
Click to expand...
If the water from the fill valve stars and stops... and goes and stops, then you have a bad fill valve. A fill valve should start when the water level drops in the tank and continue to allow water into the tank until the flapper closes and the water level rises to its set level. The refill tube will continue to flow water while the fill valve is open, but will stop flowing water when the fill valve closes.

Make sure the float is not touching the tank side or any other components in the tank. You mentioned a zip tie which is something I've not seen used to attach the refill tube. Did that come with the kit? Again, pictures would help.
 
Ludington said:
Are you saying the colored water in the tank is going away, but not going into your bowl ?
Click to expand...
I'm saying no colored water is going into the bowl so that elimates the flapper? Just periodically water comes out the tube to fill the tank...soooo it water is draining from somewhere. Might have to take the tank off and see what is there?
 
Can you tell if the water in the tank actually goes. Down, and then the water turns on ? Or is the water level in the tank staying stable ? And it turns on and off.
It sounds like what Mced69 said, bad fill valve, you could try adjusting it a bit lower.
 
Ludington said:
Can you tell if the water in the tank actually goes. Down, and then the water turns on ? Or is the water level in the tank staying stable ? And it turns on and off.
It sounds like what Mced69 said, bad fill valve, you could try adjusting it a bit lower.
Click to expand...
I can't tell if the water in the tank actually goes down as it isn't a lot of water filling before it stops. Maybe about 4-5 seconds before it stops. I've had tried adjusting doesn't seem to change anything. I think it probably is a leak somewhere under the fill valve since I can't see it anywhere else. I think I'll take the tank off and check that rubber seal too.. This is an older toilet not the new fangled ones out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top