Broken rod in toilet cistern

lucym

We really can't afford a new cistern at the moment. Have had a look at it and it is definately broken, not just unhooked. The syphon (?) seems to be integrated...is there any way that we can fix it?

Thanks,
Lucy

grumbler

COLD WATER TANKS: Cisterns etc.

I think everthing can be fixed or replaced. Just take the broken part to B&Q and ask them.

robowen

Which part is broken ??

A new syphon is only about £15....the handle is less than that

rob

grumbler

robowen wrote:

Which part is broken ??

I thought it is only me who cannot understand this...

lucym

Sorry for my confusing description. I have never really looked at the inside of our cistern before and Mr M would quite happily go on flushing the toilet with a bucket rather than attempt a DIY job.

Thanks for the link grumbler.

It is the rod that goes into the flush chamber that is broken. So what we are left with is a hook with a rod hanging on it. I can see where something has snapped of the rod.

Lucy

Flimber

If it's what I think it is, replacements are about 80p in B&Q.

culpepper

plumbers merchants will sell to the public.If you take the part in and say,'Can I have a new one of that,please?' they should be able to sort you out. I did that last year when our cistern innards went wrong,still dont know what the bits are called but managed to get new ones.

bestyman

Ok, a quick guide to changing your siphon.
first find out if you have a close coupled or low level toilet.
close coupled is where the cistern sits on the pan , low level has a bent pipe about a foot long joining them together .
If you have close coupled do this.
1. turn off water .
2. disconnect water inlet and overflow if fitted .
3. The cistern is bolted to the pan , you will find 2 wingnuts under the cistern. Now, unscrewing these is not always easy as they rust up . Use wd40 and whatever plier, grips etc that fit best . Sometimes if they wont undue they can be sawn off with a junior hacksaw. (hard work)
4 take the cistern outside and remove the siphon by the big nut on the underside. Measure the lengh of the siphon and buy a replacement. (If feeling very DIY ish it may be possible to redrill another hole in the rod)
5. When replacing the siphon also replace the fixing kit ( thats new plate, nuts bolts and big donut washer.
6 Re assemble , be carefull not to cross thread the water inlet. Its kinda obvious how the handle etc connect so wont explain.

NOTE . If you have a siphonic toilet ( thats wher the bowl fills up then flushes) slightly different instructions apply so post back.
If you have a pot siphon your in trouble, don`t attempt it.
On a few toilets the bolts don`t go through a plate but through the cistern itself, same kinda job but no need to buy new fixing kit, just new washer.
Some toilets, usually Ideal standard have a different donut washer so look out for this.
Finally, If you are really lucky you may have a 2 part siphon, this can simply be split in 2 to replace the parts without having to do any of the above. A 2 part siphon will have a nut on it where it can be split in 2 .

LOW LEVEL , much easier . water off, bail out cistern, remove flushpipe, change siphon.

Hope this helps
Bestyman

Note to Robown, I know a place that sells cheap siphons if your interested ;o) In fact cheap everything to do with plumbing. PM me if interested.

robowen

bestyman wrote:

Note to Robown, I know a place that sells cheap siphons if your interested ;o) In fact cheap everything to do with plumbing. PM me if interested.

Thanks for that...send over the name when you get a minute and I'll compare the prices to my local supplier.

As for the siphon....it was just an average price not knowing exactly what they need. I know you can get them cheaper than I quoted. I tend to quote prices a little higher on here, so when they get to the suppliers they are not dissappointed with the price.

rob

lucym

Thanks for all the help.

We now have a flushing toilet again.

Lucy

erb

Saved money as well if you did it yourself. When a plumber changed my siphon it cost me £60 :eek: .