Cistern - Should I just get a plumber?

ssm90

Hi Guys,
APOLOGIES FOR THE GIANT IMAGES! It doesn't seem to want to give me the option to resize it, if some one could help, I will resize it.
I have a leak into the toilet bowl in the cistern, I know what the issue is and is an easy fix. Unfortunately, I need to take the whole thing apart just to screw on one single item and the plumber quoted about £100 for it...

I have managed to take everything apart, but I just can't seem to unscrew/bolt the water supply into the bottom of the cistern. Please see image below.
Whenever, I try to loosen it, the whole thing is twisting and I am just not able to hold the pipe still to unscrew the bolt.

Any suggestions at all? Alternatively, is there somehow I can remove the flush mechanism from inside the cistern?


Thanks in advance,
ssm90

nofoollikeold

1. Do up the white plastic nut above the chrome nut in your second photograph.  You will need grips or possibly a spanner to do this.  Tightening it up should make the inlet valve less likely to turn when you undo the chrome nut.  
2. Make sure you don't turn the whole (chrome) valve.  If you do, you will almost certainly have a leak before the valve, which means you would have to turn all the water off.
3. If 1 above doesn't work:
3a. Source a new bottom entry inlet valve.  The Fluidmaster ones with the brass shank are probably the easiest to fit.  Also get a few (although 1 should be enough) 1/2" fibre washers for tap connectors.  
3b. Grip the threaded part of the shank of the inlet valve just above the chrome nut.  Hold it tight and undo the chrome nut with a spanner, putting the end of the spanner on the nut and pulling the handle of the spanner towards you.  Fully undo the nut.  
3c. Undo the white plastic nut.  If it won't come off because the thread has been damaged, cut the threaded shank just below the white plastic nut and forcibly undo it.  
3d. Inside the chrome nut there should be a fibre washer.  Remove it, making sure that if it is broken you get all the bits out.
4. When reassembling:
4a. Fit the new inlet valve from inside the cistern, with the rubber washer between the base of the valve and the inside of the cistern.  If the rubber washer is cone shaped, the smaller end face toward the base of the cistern and centralises in the hole.
4b. Do the retaining nut up quite loosely so that the inlet valve has some movement inside the cistern.
4c. Fit a new fibre washer inside the chrome nut of the tap connector, and make sure it doesn't fall out.
4d. Fit the chrome nut to the threaded shank of the new inlet valve, making sure it goes on finger tight for 4 to 6 turns, but don't make it tight yet.
4e.Secure the inlet valve into the cistern with its retaining nut and tighten the retaining nut to ensure the valve seals to the base of the cistern.
4f. Now tighten the chrome nut of the tap connector.  Firm finger tight plus 1/2 to 1 turn with a spanner should be sufficient.  

Jeepers_Creepers

Hi SSM.

Try what NFLO says and tighten that white plastic nut a bit - but don't overdo it. Can you actually reach inside the cistern to hold that inlet valve stem at the same time as undoing the chrome nut?! If not, you need an assistant. 

And, silly question - you are turning that nut the correct way? As you look down from above, your spanner should be turning clockwise to unscrew it - which way is the valve trying to turn in your hand as you undo that nut?

It might be tight, but it should be quite possible - especially with a second person to hold the valve. 

daivid

Good advice already from the replies above. Also you should be able to find walkthrough videos on youtube which may help show what to do/reassure you that you are on the right grounds.

Le_Kirk

Looks like the shut-off valve has a "flat" that you should be able to grip with an adjustable spanner whilst undoing the nut with another spanner as advised by @Jeepers_Creepers in a clockwise rotation.

roddydogs

For peace of mind, £100 doesn't seem to expensive. Especially if you've only 1 toilet.!

Jeepers_Creepers

roddydogs said:

For peace of mind, £100 doesn't seem to expensive. Especially if you've only 1 toilet.!

Tsk tsk.

Imagine the sense of satisfaction that SSM will experience?!

Imagine what he/she can do with £100?!

Imagine the new-found confidence that'll turn them in to a DIY wizard?!
Imagine the mess caused by a leak...

Jeepers_Creepers

Le_Kirk said:

Looks like the shut-off valve has a "flat" that you should be able to grip with an adjustable spanner whilst undoing the nut with another spanner as advised by @Jeepers_Creepers in a clockwise rotation.

I don't think loosening the chrome nut from the valve body is the problem - it's stopping the whole inlet valve from turning as well.

And to clarify, that nut undos anti-clockwise like virtually all nuts. It's only if you are looking down on it from above that you need to think 'I need to turn this clockwise from this - reversed - viewpoint...'

southcoastrgi

How did you remove the flush valve without removing the cistern ?

Jeepers_Creepers

They haven't. That's the problem :-)

southcoastrgi

Jeepers_Creepers said:

They haven't. That's the problem :-)

Flush not fill