Toto Drake Hissing

[Dannn]

Our Toto Drake has started making a constant hissing sound. When I turn off the supply from the wall it stops. The water level in the tank seems to be higher than it was previously, it's about level with the tube I put the red arrow next to in the picture. Does the fill assembly need to be replaced (the blue part with the stem underneath?)? Seem crazy that it would happen to a toilet that's only a couple years old.

 

[Breplum]

The fill assembly does need to be addressed.
There are parts that can be replaced, namely two: The cap (under the blue cover), but also, I find that can be only half the problem, because the float has a small black gasket and floats are impossible to find.
So you can order the whole thing and replace the parts you need (Korky or Hunter are the same thing), or get a Fluidmaster 400H-002, which has a nice refill adjuster to allow peak performance, and then, a <$2. part to keep running over the years.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Dannn]

The fill assembly does need to be addressed.
There are parts that can be replaced, namely two: The cap (under the blue cover), but also, I find that can be only half the problem, because the float has a small black gasket and floats are impossible to find.
So you can order the whole thing and replace the parts you need (Korky or Hunter are the same thing), or get a Fluidmaster 400H-002, which has a nice refill adjuster to allow peak performance, and then, a <$2. part to keep running over the years.

Thanks! Is there anything I should try before replacing the valve?

Would this one work? I'm pretty sure the one I have now isn't adjustable.

Korky/TOTO TSU99A.X

https://terrylove.com/korky/

 

[Jadnashua]

When it gets old, the most common thing to go wrong with that valve is the seal in the cap. It's quick and easy to replace with no tools. If it doesn't fix it (it usually does), you're golden. If not, you may need to replace the whole valve. Depending on how old the fill valve is, Toto may send you the parts. Over the last 20-years, I've always been able to fix it with just the cap...if your water is really nasty, I guess the seal on the float might go, but so far, over a bunch of toilets, it has not hit me (yet).

 

[Jadnashua]

Replacement Cap Assembly for Toilet Fill Valve | Fill Valve Replacements, Accessories | Korky Toilet Parts

 

[Dannn]

When it gets old, the most common thing to go wrong with that valve is the seal in the cap. It's quick and easy to replace with no tools. If it doesn't fix it (it usually does), you're golden. If not, you may need to replace the whole valve. Depending on how old the fill valve is, Toto may send you the parts. Over the last 20-years, I've always been able to fix it with just the cap...if your water is really nasty, I guess the seal on the float might go, but so far, over a bunch of toilets, it has not hit me (yet).

Hmm, I just took it apart and the valve looked okay, not that I really know what to look for though. I'm going to have to order the part since I won't be able to get it locally. I'm thinking I'll just replace the whole assembly and be done with it rather than trying to figure out exactly what it is.

Do you know if this assembly would work? https://www.amazon.com/Korky-528-Corky-Toilet-Universal/dp/B00002N6MY/

I'm not sure why it's so much cheaper than the one I linked above/

 

[Reach4]

You could check your water pressure.

The fill valve is more likely the problem, however.

 

[Dannn]

You could check your water pressure.

The fill valve is more likely the problem, however.

Yeah it's probably not our water pressure, it's pretty low.

 

[Jadnashua]

You may find this one may work better. Korky 528MP QuietFILL Platinum Fill Valve-Fits Most Toilets-Easy to Install-Made in USA, Universal 99%, Black - Flush Valves - Amazon.com

Any fill valve can get the tank the right level, but if I understand this one, it allows you to adjust how much goes into the bowl. Excess water there just goes down the drain, wasting it. Not enough means it won't flush properly. Ideally, the tank refills just as the bowl gets to the full level, too. That bowl refill water comes via the overflow tube with that hose...this one has an adjustable valve there to get it just right.

The one from the factory has a restrictor in that line to get it just right without operator adjustment.

Did you take the cap off to look at it? When new, the rubber is a nice smooth dome. When it gets old, it gets formed to the shape of the cage beneath it, gets brittle, and can crack.

 

[Dannn]

You may find this one may work better.
Any fill valve can get the tank the right level, but if I understand this one, it allows you to adjust how much goes into the bowl. Excess water there just goes down the drain, wasting it. Not enough means it won't flush properly. Ideally, the tank refills just as the bowl gets to the full level, too. That bowl refill water comes via the overflow tube with that hose...this one has an adjustable valve there to get it just right.

The one from the factory has a restrictor in that line to get it just right without operator adjustment.

Did you take the cap off to look at it? When new, the rubber is a nice smooth dome. When it gets old, it gets formed to the shape of the cage beneath it, gets brittle, and can crack.

Ah I see, thanks! Do pretty much all of the fill valves for these toilets use the same cap? I doubt I'll be able to just get a cap in my town, but I'll probably be able to get a whole assembly, wondering if I can try taking the cap out of a new assembly and putting it in the existing one to try it before replacing the whole thing.

Yeah I took the cap off, it looked like it was pretty much new, no cracks or anything so I'm wondering if something else is wrong.

I think I'm going to try cleaning the parts like shown on this page I found: TOT 200 A INSERT (bayplumbingsupply.com)

 

[Jadnashua]

I think all of the Korky Quietfill valves use the same cap.

Check the float. There's a small weep hole in it that can give issues if it gets clogged.

The cap wears out faster if you have high water pressure or heavily treated water. Those on a well may get much longer life out of them without the chemicals or higher pressure you can often see in municipal water supplies.