Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help me with my temperamental toilet flush? I'm not good with terminology but I'll try my best to explain!

After flushing my toilet, the pump mechanism often doesn't re-descend into its hole. It flushes OK, but the next time you need to flush, the handle needs wiggling or forcing upwards in order to send the pump back down so it can be flushed again.

This would be OK, except all the extra pressure tends to eventually loosen the linkage between the handle and pump mechanism until it falls off. Then, it's off with the cistern lid to ease it all back into place until it happens again!

I've tried a few things like changing the arm for a longer one to try and get the linkage to hang straighter, but no luck.

Can anyone help with this?

My toilet flush looks a little different from most diagrams on the internet - I think it might be a UK type! The image for STEP 2 in the link below is the clearest example I can find:

http://www.uktvstyle.co.uk/index.cfm/uktvstyle/StandardItem.step/aid/2556.shtml

Hope someone out there can help!

Adam

Hi Adam,
, Sounds like your flapper linkage needs adjusting.
With the flapper seated the linkage wants to have 1/4" of play. Too much play and the flapper doesn't get pulled back enough giving you a short flush. Too tight and it lets water seep past the flapper. I adjust the chain by the link and if it needs fine tuning, I bend the flush lever rod a bit untill I have the desired play in the linkage. One more thing about a flapper. you will see where the old flapper hooks onto the base of the white overflow tube. On a older type with no hooks the flapper has a ring that slips down over the overflow tube to the seat. If your tank has hooks, take a sharp knife or scissors and cut the neoprene ring off on the marks provided and hook the flapper on the hooks. Leaving the ring on will interfere with the flush. The water level in your tank should be 3/8 to 1/2" below the top of the overflow tube when the tank's filled. And last, you do realize that the nut that secures the flush lever and rod to the tank is a left hand thread don't you? Hope this helps, Tom