View Full Version : Very bad leak even after replacing the moen posi temp cartridge?
efrench
Oct 28, 2012, 02:14 PM
My bath faucet is leaking a lot. I purchased a new Moen posi temp cartridge to replace the old one. I went online and all leads pointed to getting a new one and replacing it. I followed instructions both online and directions that came with the part, and after all the effort I still have a leak. I used the silicon gel I checked the o rings for damage. I have done this many times and I even went back to home depot and purchased a new cartridge twice and replaced them both. I still have a very bad leak. I also had the cartridge out and had the water turned on to flush out any trash in the system and still a no go. Please what else could be causing my faucet to leak. I can't see that the cartridges are faulty it's got to be something else in the system.
speedball1
Oct 28, 2012, 02:46 PM
Great post! You've covered everything except exactly what was leaking, Was it leaking out of the spout? Behind the handle? Is it a large pressure leak or a drip? More details please, bTom
efrench
Oct 28, 2012, 04:45 PM
The water is coming out of the bath tub spout really fast. I can adjust the knob on the posi temp cartridge and I can get cold, warm, to hot water. It just won't shut the water off. There is no water coming out of the posi temp cartridge itself that's good. Its always and still is coming out of the bath spout. I don't know what a pressure leak is so I can't answer the what type of leak I have. All I know is the water is supposed to shut off when you turn the knob.
speedball1
Oct 29, 2012, 07:49 AM
The cartridge isn't closing. You have something in there that's preventing it. Check the base of the valve for debris and then check the cartridge to see if it closes. Good luck, Tom
efrench
Oct 29, 2012, 08:03 AM
I have checked for debris at the base of the valve and I don't see anything. I even took the cartridge out and turned the water back on to flush the valve. This should have got the debris out if there were any.
Now, as for the cartridge opening and closing how do I check that. I took the cartridge out and I can turn the knob at the end and you can see the holes on the side of the cartridge open and close as the knob is turned. It's fairly easy to do by hand but not sure if it is doing this when inserted back into the valve.
In my house I only have 1 way of turning the water on and off and that is the main line coming into the house. I need water for the rest of the house so in the mean time I have to deal with this running water out of my tub faucet just so I have water else where. Could I for now, get a hose and clamp it over the bath faucet stem and close the hose so water don't spit out. Or will this just give the water another route to go and that would be the shower head. Please I am confused on what to do here!
speedball1
Oct 29, 2012, 08:13 AM
When you had the cartridge out did you pull the stem out and check the action? It should slide right out and seat firmly when you replace the stem. Back to you, Tom
efrench
Oct 29, 2012, 08:28 AM
When you had the cartridge out did you pull the stem out and check the action? It should slide right out and seat firmly when you replace the stem. Back to you, Tom
While the cartridge was out I was able to turn the stem easily and the mechanism inside the plastic housing was opening and shutting. I have not pulled on the stem while the cartridge was out, I notice once when I was putting the cartridge into the valve that the stem pushed into the cartridge more and I could not get the cartridge to fit all the way into the valve, but when I pulled the stem it fit into the valve like it was supposed to . I have a 1222 plastic posi temp cartridge with some kind of metal mechanism inside it.
speedball1
Oct 29, 2012, 08:36 AM
Would this link help" How to repair a Moen Posi-Temp shower valve (http://www.diyplumbingadvice.com/faucets/moenpositemp.shtml)
efrench
Oct 29, 2012, 09:31 AM
Would this link help" How to repair a Moen Posi-Temp shower valve (http://www.diyplumbingadvice.com/faucets/moenpositemp.shtml)
I did watch this video, and this is what I mean. I followed all the steps and did the repair just like on the video. Except my end outcome is a failure. I still have a lot of water coming out of the bath spout.
efrench
Oct 29, 2012, 09:46 AM
You know I looked inside the valve body more carefully and I can see the two holes where water runs in or out from, on the left side I can see the hole and behind it its flush, just brass. The right side I can see the hole and behind it looks like a rough patch or divit. Not sure what it is but it kind of looks like it might be corrosion or a manufacture defect. Would this cause my problems.