repair caused *no* wash

Users who are viewing this thread

pmurray

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I have a Kohler K4521 which, having read some of the postings,
is apparently not a particularly great toilet.

Nonetheless, I replaced everything in the tank - including the
seal where the tank connects to the bowl with a Korky's kit.

The seal configuration was different*, but I have no idea if that
caused this problem:
- There is absolutely no water coming in to wash the bowl.
The whole flush looks to be caused by only the vacuum
created by the tank water sucking it down.

(I'm sure I'm not using the right terms here)

* the original seal configuration was the big, rubber washer
with a triangular flange for the 3 bolts to pass through.
The new configuration has just a huge, fat seal with no flange
for bolts. The bolts simply have separate little washer / seals.

Thanks in advance for helping me avoid trying to fix this thing for a 3rd time.
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,041
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
toilet

Kohler has, and has had, so many different model numbers that I am not sure which toilet you have. I am also not sure what you are trying to describe, but if the flapper is lifting then the water has to go into the bowl and wash the bowl. The entire flushing action is caused by the water from the tank going through the bowl.
 

pmurray

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Thanks for responding.

Strange as it sounds, however, there's not a drop
of water coming down the side of the bowl anywhere.

When it flushes it's like it's being syphoned, sucked out
of the bowl with nothing obvious coming into it.

I believe I've taken this from a toilet that use
to flush - but leak - to a toilet that truly sucks.

Thanks again.
P
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
For there to be flow under the rim of the toilet, the holes there, if they exist, need to be clear. Depending on your water quality, sometimes those holes get limed up. Take a small mirror and look for holes under the rim. If there are any and they seem to be plugged up, maybe a piece of coat-hanger or a small nail or heavy wire could be used to clean them out.
 

pmurray

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I may have figured it out, although, it remains
to be seen whether I can explain it well.

The tank wasn't well centered on the toilet.
Easy enough to do - there's a lot of slop in
the holes where those bolts go.

Looking down with the flapper removed, it looks
as if there's a diverter to take some of the water
to the bowl and some to the wash.

When I re-centered the tank, I saw signs of life
from the holes for the wash.

And, I took the suggestion to stick a wire up
them and try to clear them all out. It's an old
toilet, guaranteed to have some build up or another.

I went with a thin guage (~16) wire so I could
turn the corner and try to clear them better.

Net result: it washes the bowl now - or let's
say rinses it given that it's not all that strong.

By the way, I called my plumber on this and stumped
him too.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks