American Standard 4370A leaking into bowl

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Aliusa

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I have an AS 4370A that has been leaking slowly into the bowl filling up cesspool... Grr... I used food coloring to determine the leak. A trick a plumber taught me.

Everything looks secure visually. I'm attaching pictures.

Any thoughts on how to troubleshoot?

Images:

PXL_20211021_024038231.jpg
PXL_20211021_023808354.jpg


https://ibb.co/4ZZQPRF
https://ibb.co/G2cTMKJ
 

WorthFlorida

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It looks like the water level is getting above the overflow tube. Either the flush valve needs an adjustment to lower the water level or the valve seal is not fully closing the valve, therefore, water weeps over the overflow tube. The seal is a very easy to replace, they can last a few years or forever. The only other place is the flappers but you'll hear the water run every so often. If the water level drops because of the flapper leak, the float drops, turns on the water, fills and then stops. If you don't have this then it is a valve seal.

fluidmaster-242-fill-valve-seal.jpg
 

Aliusa

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Thanks! I let the water fill up and didn't notice it go beyond the overflow. I did notice some bubbles forming around the flapper. If the leak around the flapper is slow I might have missed the water running to fill up the tank. When I dropped the food color in the tank the water level wasnt high but the color showed up on the bowl within a minute.
 

Reach4

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Complex flapper system.

I was going to suggest you turn off the supply stop at the wall, and then what happens to the water level overnight. That still could be useful. Does the water stop dropping at the level of the flapper-valveseat meeting? Is one flapper higher than the other? Does the water continue to fall below the flappers?

But then you did the food color post. Surprised me.

When I dropped the food color in the tank the water level wasnt high but the color showed up on the bowl within a minute.
You turned off the water supply and flushed, and that is why the water level was not high?

So let the water be fairly low and be calm. Then drop a drop of food color equidistant between the two flappers. Can you see the food color flow toward one of the flappers?

Also, I think one flapper is for the siphon jet and the other is for the rim holes. When food color enters the bowl, can you tell which path?
 

Aliusa

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When I dropped food color I didn't shut of the water but the water was below the overfill.

Are you suggesting shutting the valve, flush, and then add the water color in the remaining water in the tank and note where it's coming out in the bowl?

The flapper is complex. I was expecting just one flapper :)
 

Reach4

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Test 1. Shut off the valve. What happens to the water level in an hour or overnight? It is not clear to me if your tank leaks water near the top of the overflow, or leaks from one of the flappers.

Are you suggesting shutting the valve, flush, and then add the water color in the remaining water in the tank and note where it's coming out in the bowl?
Test 2, only if the water drops to more than an inch below the overflow:
I am suggesting shutting the valve, flush, and then drop food color a couple places. Don't mix it up. Look for a streak where a current is carrying water. Follow the streak, and you will see the leak.


food-color-in-water.jpg
 

Aliusa

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Soooo....

Test 1: check if the water level drops or rises. Result: no visible change after 12 hours

Test 2: drop food color. Result: One small spec appeared bowl. This is a lot less than the first time I did this test.

Maybe me fidgeting around with the flapper made it seal better? I dunno but I'm worried after a few flushes the flapper wont be sealing as well.
 

Reach4

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Test 1: check if the water level drops or rises. Result: no visible change after 12 hours
That test says the problem is what WorthFlorida indicated, and that you should turn the fill height down a tad.
 
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