AS Champion 4 Flush Valve options

[Lemmy]

I'm sure the Champion flush valve seal has been beaten to death, but I can't really find an answer to this question. I have 3 Champion 4 (1.6gpf) and 1 Champion 4 Max (1.28gpf) toilets. They are all 7-12 years old and all have the ghost flushing issue every year or so that is fixed by replacing the blue rubber seal. The AS ones do not last that long and the reviews make me think the aftermarket seals will fail even more quickly.

I was just wondering if anyone had used the latest updated version of the AS flush valve long enough to know if it has fixed the frequent seal failure/ghost flushing issue? I figure AS may send me new valves so it would be free and maintain the low water usage of my existing toilets. Except for the Champion 4 Max, I have never had to use a plunger so I don't need more water per flush. But if the seal on the updated design failed as often as the previous flush valve, I was considering getting a NuFlush replacement that uses a standard flapper at the bottom of the tank. I assume this will fix the ghost flushing issue but will use significantly more water with each flush and it is 2x the price. So the fact that the NuFlush costs more and would use more water is why I would like to stick with the updated AS flush valve if they have indeed fixed their problems. Thanks for any info.

 

[Peterson]

To be completely honest with you, I'd be tempted to replace all of the toilets entirely over time with toilets that use standard parts. American Standard has redesigned their fixtures to use more "common" parts that actually work better, and the bowls flush better. Here's a good model that is available at Home Depot that is not too pricey.

Rumson Two Piece Chair Height Elongated Toilet with Seat

The Rumson Two-Piece Chair-Height Elongated Toilet is a clean, classic look that delivers the reliability you expect from American Standard. Equipped with industry-leading features including our PowerWash rim and an oversized flush valve, the Rumson toilet ensures powerful flushing action to...

www.americanstandard-us.com

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Lemmy]

Thanks for the suggestion. The toilets I have exceed my flushing needs. Like I said, I have not used a plunger on one of these in 20 years (I had them in my previous house too). I just want a solution to that one $10 seal failing every 1-2 years and was going to go with the NuFlush if the updated AS design doesn't fix the problem.

 

[Peterson]

I'd try the Nu-Flush then. The newer American Standard toilets have an almost identical flush valve in their tanks now.

 

[Taylorjm]

You have a model with the faulty flush valve seals. If there were some that lasted longer than a year the company would most likely be using them as replacement parts. So why are you so intent on keeping something that leaks every year? Just replace them. There are a lot of good toilets that don’t require annual maintenance.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Those toilets are trouble..... good luck getting the tank off the bowl after this long a period of time...
I had to walk away from this situation a while back because the old style units had limed up so badly
that they would not come apart to even change out the seals on them....

getting the tank bolts unscrewed and off can be absolute hell to do

its a piss poor design and if you are capable I would opt for the new over flow assembly.

I tore out a whole toilet and simply replaced it with a Gerber handcapped unit just to
keep from going through this misery...

good luck and may god have mercy on your soul

 

[Lemmy]

You have a model with the faulty flush valve seals. If there were some that lasted longer than a year the company would most likely be using them as replacement parts. So why are you so intent on keeping something that leaks every year? Just replace them. There are a lot of good toilets that don’t require annual maintenance.

I agree that the seal on those flush valves are terrible, the rest of the toilet has been trouble free and flushes better than any toilet I have ever used (outside of pressure assist toilets). I had 2 in my old house and with 5 years with no clogs and in this house it has been 12 years without using a plunger. That is why I am asking about replacements for the flush valve. I have seen people suggest the Korky, but with it being a 3" I was thinking it would make the flushing performance degrade since (I think) the Champion is bigger than 3". But I also seem to remember that the hole in the Champion reduces to 3" or less at some point.

 

[Peterson]

If you do go with the NuFlush, you might want to end up purchasing a high quality, metal handle to put on the tank. I have a feeling that the flapper might be heavier and harder to lift, which could snap a plastic handle.