View Full Version : Toilet flushes in 3 waves then gurgles when refilling
coolweiser
Nov 5, 2008, 02:22 PM
My master bathroom toilet has been flushing in three waves instead of one continuous flush since I replaced some of the internals a long while back. Now, during the refill cycle, the toilet bowl water is gurgling. Are these two separate problems, or one combined problem?:confused:
mygirlsdad77
Nov 5, 2008, 05:57 PM
What brand of toilet do you have? Did you replace the flapper with the original flapper,or did you use a standard corky? Newer toilets have special flappers to regulate gallons of water used during flush. May be that your toilet is actually flushing three times instead of once. As far as the gurgling goes, I need to know what brand of toilet you have and what type of fill valve you have.
coolweiser
Nov 6, 2008, 10:05 AM
I have a Kohler 1.6 gpf that is at least 12 years old. I put in a flushmaster repair kit. The thing is, I have the same toilet in another bathroom that flushes in one strong steady flush, and there is no gurgling.
speedball1
Nov 6, 2008, 11:38 AM
My master bathroom toilet has been flushing in three waves instead of one continuous flush since I replaced some of the internals a long while back. Now, during the refill cycle, the toilet bowl water is gurgling. Are these two seperate problems, or one combined problem?:confused:
I don't think the two are related. One is a drainage problem and the "gurgling" as it fills is a supply problem. Tell me some more about these problems. Are you saying that the bowl siphons the bowl three separate times as the water leaves the tank?
This "gurgle". Where does it gurgle at? Do you see bubbles in the bowl as this happens? Give me all the details that you can. Thanks, Tom
coolweiser
Nov 6, 2008, 06:21 PM
When I flush, the water starts down, stops or takes a breather, then the second wave of flush action, pauses again, then finishes flushing down. Then, during the tank refill time, there is gurgling of the bowl water. So, I want to know why the water doesn't flush down in one straight shot. And second, what is the gurgling? I've heard mention of blocked vent pipes. I was thinking of just replacing the toilet with one of those pressure assisted models that sell for around $375.
speedball1
Nov 7, 2008, 06:38 AM
Would hold off on replacing the toilet. If it ever worked in the first place we can make it work again. Pull the lid from tank and watch the flapper , does it go all the way up or does the suction pull it back down. If you have a replacement flapper you did take a pair of scissors and cut the ring off before you placed it on the hooks didn't you? Please answer my question;
This "gurgle". Where does it gurgle at? Do you see bubbles in the bowl as this happens? Back to you, Tom
mygirlsdad77
Nov 7, 2008, 04:53 PM
Sounds like the flapper is staying up too long. If it were closing too quickly, you would most likey not even get one flush action, let alone three. What is your water level set at. If you installed a new overflow(flush valve) assembly you may need to adjust water level.
Do you have any problem with the toilet not flushing waste(human waste and toilet paper)?
coolweiser
Nov 7, 2008, 05:28 PM
That's another thing, thanks for reminding me. The water does not come into the bowl anymore to wash down any paper or other matter not in the standing pool of water before the flush. And yes, sometimes the first flush attempt is weak, requiring another flush.
I did install a new flush valve, (the flowmaster or flushmaster kit) straight out of the box. Hopefully, all this information put together is starting to form a better picture to what is going on, thanks for all the input so far.
mygirlsdad77
Nov 7, 2008, 05:36 PM
OK. Now we are getting somewhere. Sounds like your bowl rim holes and possibly jet port are plugged. In the very bottom of the bowl(not tank) there may be a nickel sizes hole. See if you can stick a finger in it to see if it is plugged. Now, around your rim, where the water comes out to clean inside of bowl, there are little holes all the way around the under side of the rim. Take a metal clotheshanger, and stict the end of it up into every one of these holes. You will have to go in at an angle. It may take some force to do this. They are most likely completely clogged.
Another question. Is there water coming out of the tube that goes into the overflow tube when the toilet is flushed?
coolweiser
Nov 8, 2008, 12:13 PM
I have found no obstruction after sticking my gloved finger in the jet port. I observed that no water is coming from any of the under rim holes. And yes, there is water coming up the over flow tube on initial flush, and a little bit when filling cycle completes. The flap stays open during the flush cycle, even as flushing action pauses and starts as previously mentioned. Water level is 1/8" or less below the fill tube water line mark.
Speedball1, I see the gurgle in the bowl during the refill cycle. And as for cutting of a ring, I'm not sure what that refers to. I see 2 connection points on either side of the fill tube bottom.
coolweiser
Nov 8, 2008, 12:57 PM
Speedball1, thanks for the graphic! I would love to post a video of this issue! The ring is not there.
mygirlsdad77
Nov 9, 2008, 04:16 PM
If could post a vidio, that would be great.
coolweiser
Nov 10, 2008, 01:30 PM
I will post a video via you tube tomorrow.
mygirlsdad77
Nov 10, 2008, 05:28 PM
Look forward to it.