Rebuilding Fluidmaster 400A Fill Valves

[JimD]

I have 5 toilets so I keep some basic toilet parts in a storage area of the basement. I quickly put fluidmasters in all of them but I still have an occasional fill or flush problem. I had been buying the 3 piece contractor packages of 400As for the fill problem. I knew there had to be a better way and today I found it:

http://www.fluidmaster.com/index.asp?bhcp=1

At the bottom of the page is a link to a pdf explaining how to replace the seats.

The seat for the 400A is easily replaced. You don't even have to drain the tank. Less than $2 versus about $6. I'm going to get me some Fluidmaster 242 seats.

Jim

[LCHIEN]

doesn't seem right to be rebuilding toilets on Christmas eve.

Hope your Chirstmas improves...Merry Christmas to you.

[JimD]

I had put if off for a couple days while I worked on end tables for my daughter's wedding gift. They are done except for the drawers (3 apiece) - something to do next week. My son got home and was taking a nap - he drove straight home from a job in PA to be home on Christmas eve and got here about noon.

I just got back from Christmas eve service. My son is up now. Definitely better than fixing toilets.

Jim

[cabinetman]

Replacement parts makes sense. I've found Fluidmaster fill valves very dependable. My luck is something breaks that there's no replacement part. But, they are easy to change out. Didn't know all that was available.

.

[woodturner]

I have 5 toilets so I keep some basic toilet parts in a storage area of the basement.

I'm not sure whether to be more disturbed by the five toilets or the fact that you need to keep repair parts on hand :-)

Since you seem to be something of a fluidmaster expert, maybe you can help. Installed a fluidmaster valve 15 years ago or so, now it is "sticking". The barrel that slides up to turn off the water sticks on the column, and ends up fully submerged with the water continuing to trickle due to overflowing the discharge tube. The lightest touch on the barrel causes it to pop up normally.

The shaft appears smooth and clean, and the barrel slides easily. It appears to be getting "cocked" on the shaft enough to keep it from sliding, but I'm not sure why.

Any ideas?

[JimD]

It's a guess but my guess is that the float is leaking - it has water in it. The clearance of the float to the shaft is ample so I doubt the float is sticking on the shaft exactly, I think it isn't floating well. Only fix for this, if I'm right, is another unit. Fortunately that is less than $10. Biggest issue putting it in is draining the tank. I recommend a sponge into the bowl of the toilet. Works better for me than bailing.

Jim

P. S. The two "extra" bathrooms I put in myself. One is in the basement off the guest room. The other is off the upstairs guest room (that was the one with the toilet that wasn't shutting off). I paid the plumber to rough it and then did all the finish myself (tub shower, toilet, sink, tiling on floor and wall). So I only paid full price for a fairly typical 2 1/2 bathrooms. Still excessive at this point for myself, my son, and a cat.