KOHLER Fill Valve Confusion K-4634

[Vgundy]

I have a KOHLER K-4634-AA. The (very) old fill valve is shot. Per KOHLER guidance there are two potential KOHLER fill valve replacement kits that you can use: the GP1083167 (red cap and black shank) or the GP1138930 (gray cap and gray shank).

Now for the confusion—the old fill valve is a KOHLER fill valve that has a red cap and a gray shank. On the red cap of the old fill valve the following is stamped:

1074B (upside down)

1033131 (small font)
CLASS FIVE
KOHLER

I purchased both of the above-referenced fill valves (I’ll return whichever one I don’t use). KOHLER indicates that the color of the shank of the fill valve you are replacing should determine which new fill valve replacement kit to use. However, as I stated the shank is gray with a red cap, and the old crusty fill valve looks nothing like either of the new replacement valves—it seems like they changed the manufacturing style of the fill valve over the years so I can’t compare apples to apples (color difference aside).

I’ve read the forum over the years to get great advice, which is why I installed two Toto Drake toilets to replace old failing toilets (and I love the Toto’s), and I’m hopeful one of you knowledgeable folks out there will be able to help me out. Thanks in advance and happy holidays to all!!

 

[GReynolds929]

I would return the overpriced Kohler and install a Fluidmaster Pro45 (400A). It's what Kohler uses for their fill valve. It's not that precise of a system that little differences will matter.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Vgundy]

Thanks for your help, GR!! Much appreciated.

 

[Elijah]

I would return the overpriced Kohler and install a Fluidmaster Pro45 (400A). It's what Kohler uses for their fill valve. It's not that precise of a system that little differences will matter.

On some Kohler models (including the Cimarron models with the 4634 tank), installing a regular 400A will not fill the bowl with enough water. I would recommend a 400H or 400AH in those cases with the bowl refill rate set as high as possible. Kohler orders customized/nonstandard 400A fill valves from Fluidmaster, and now they have been ordering a special model called the 375A that is installed out-of-the-box in all new tanks and complete toilets with two different variants (one similar to the GP1138930, and the other similar to the GP1083167).

have a KOHLER K-4634-AA. The (very) old fill valve is shot. Per KOHLER guidance there are two potential KOHLER fill valve replacement kits that you can use: the GP1083167 (red cap and black shank) or the GP1138930 (gray cap and gray shank).

Now for the confusion—the old fill valve is a KOHLER fill valve that has a red cap and a gray shank. On the red cap of the old fill valve the following is stamped:

The correct fill valve for your tank is GP1083167. But to make matters even more confusing, most of the newer Cimarron tanks (including all the Revolution 360 models) use the GP1138930 fill valve.

If you are unsure as to which fill valve your Kohler toilet uses, go to https://kohler.com/serviceparts, and enter in the 4 or 5 digit tank number (omit all prefixes and suffixes, as well as "F" or "97" if your model number starts with it), just note that many of the big-box exclusive toilets will not show any results on this page.

 

[Vgundy]

On some Kohler models (including the Cimarron models with the 4634 tank), installing a regular 400A will not fill the bowl with enough water. I would recommend a 400H or 400AH in those cases with the bowl refill rate set as high as possible. Kohler orders customized/nonstandard 400A fill valves from Fluidmaster, and now they have been ordering a special model called the 375A that is installed out-of-the-box in all new tanks and complete toilets with two different variants (one similar to the GP1138930, and the other similar to the GP1083167).


The correct fill valve for your tank is GP1083167. But to make matters even more confusing, most of the newer Cimarron tanks (including all the Revolution 360 models) use the GP1138930 fill valve.

If you are unsure as to which fill valve your Kohler toilet uses, go to https://kohler.com/serviceparts, and enter in the 4 or 5 digit tank number (omit all prefixes and suffixes, as well as "F" or "97" if your model number starts with it), just note that many of the big-box exclusive toilets will not show any results on this page.

Thank you very much for the assistance. I was able to reach KOHLER for help right after I posted this and they directed me to GP1083167 and I installed it (and returned the other fill valve because I’d bought both to CYA). The fill valve is a slower fill so I used one of the larger flow restrictors but it’s still not so fast and isn’t as silent as they say.

The one issue to look out for is that both of the fill valve replacement kits have a “tube” that is apparently designed for tanks having the canister flush valve which is apparently less distance than it is to reach people like me who have the old flapper flush valve so I contacted KOHLER and they immediately sent me a longer tube (free of charge) and fortunately the old tube was OK to use for the week or so I waited for the new tube (that’s why I don’t mind paying a little premium for KOHLER parts because they have really provided me with great customer service on multiple occasions).

My only remaining concern is when I’ll have to replace the old flapper flush valve for the new canister flush valve because that seems to be the next move to make the toilet last to the fullest length possible. But, it ain’t broke so I’m not going to touch it (it seems like a very doable job, the KOHLER customer service rep gave me a list of all of the parts I’d need for when I want to do it, but after three spinal surgeries I’ll leave it be!).

Thanks again for all the help, love this forum good people.

 

[GReynolds929]

The 400A bowl refill is unrestricted, the H models have the ability to restrict the the refill, wide open they're both the same. I've installed hundreds if not thousands of A's in Kohler toilets with no issues, they're all we use.

 

[Vgundy]

The 400A bowl refill is unrestricted, the H models have the ability to restrict the the refill, wide open they're both the same. I've installed hundreds if not thousands of A's in Kohler toilets with no issues, they're all we use.

Thanks, GR. Much appreciated. I’ll keep that in mind for the next fill valve replacement.

 

[Jeff H Young]

The 400A bowl refill is unrestricted, the H models have the ability to restrict the the refill, wide open they're both the same. I've installed hundreds if not thousands of A's in Kohler toilets with no issues, they're all we use.

400h has a restrictor in the shaft that provides a quieter fill and slower I belive , 400a is pretty fast , Im pretty much good with either but I definately noticed quieter and im guessing a little less likely to hammer sometimes I buy a kit and sometimes just plain 400a no complaints about them really I like either