Hello all... I broke down at 4 this morning... I just couldn't take it any more.
I couldn't get to sleep because of the 'running' water from the toilet. I had looked on a web site before going to bed... it sounded simple enough! It said the floating ball or the rubber flap thing needed replaced. Mine doesn't use the floating ball... its got a round puck looking thing that goes up a column/tube. There is no leaking water. I just don't understand... is almost like it needs an exorcism. I flushed the toilet... then turned off the water supply... there a handle/knob right below the toilet... I turned it all the way to the right... it still allowed water to start re-filling the tank. In a moment of frustation and crying, I turned the valve all the way to the left... I then heard a strange noise in the pipes... I then turned the valve all the way back to the right and the water quit running into the tank. Thinking I had broken a pipe, I came downstairs to check the kitchen sink... water good. I finally dried my tears and went to sleep. When I got up several hours later... the tank was full again!! How did it fill when I had the water turned off?? Please... can one of you with more knowledge of this type of event help me sort it out? I am a single mom of twins... is no way I can call a plumber to fix it. I got to be able to do this myself.
Thank you very much! :)

I have been having a life and leaving most of these for Tom and others. You are sane. Those valves are notorious for allowing more or less water to leak through. They seldom shut the water off completely. Just well enough to make simple repairs without flooding the house.

As for the noise, would it be something that might be called water hammer? Sort of a horrible vibration? Usually it occurs when you shut the water off suddenly, but I guess it could start when you turned it on.

Now to the original problem. Most toilets have the flapper or ball you were expecting. I think I have seen things like you described. If it is leaking, chances are, you can replace it with a flapper or ball. You may need to return the kit you bought, and buy a more complete one. Or you may even get away with cleaning lime or rust off the puck looking thing and the hole it goes in. Also, make sure things that need to slide, do so freely. The valve the float shuts off can leak too. If it is leaking, and you are lucky, you can get it apart and find a new seat for it. You will do better taking by such parts to a local Ace, True Value, etc. hardware store than the big home centers. You may find somebody willing and able to help.

Compare my answer to your toilet, and post back any questions. Follow any answer Tom gives, exactly.

Oh,Thank You,Thank You for your reply!! I am going to take on the toilet in the morning. I printed out your reply to help me as a reference.

I think you are correct with the hammer noise... I was so scared that once I ran downstairs, I'd find a huge leak some where else, but all was well.

I had just checked on the toilet before sitting down to see if anyone might have offered a reply... and all was quiet on the toilet front!

Ok... is me vs. the toilet tomorrow... I sincerely thank you for your advice and your time... I will post again tomorrow and let know how it goes.

This is probably what you installed. If so, make sure you have the water level adjusted correctly before you think about replacing it. You will notice a 3/4" or so pipe in the middle of the tank. This is the overflow. If the water level in the tank rises too high, the excess will go into that pipe and then into the toilet. This prevents water from overflowing the top of the tank. However, it will also allow water to continue to flow through the fill valve until something is done to stop it. If that is the case, then you simply need to adjust the water level down. The fill valve above is very easy to adjust. The water level in the tank should be about 1/2 " below the top of the overflow tank.

Hope it goes well with you. Thankfully, you are not facing a major problem. Labman is entirely correct is saying that the shut off valve, especially if its old, can easily leak a little.

All too often seemingly big problems are resolved with simple solutions. But hey... did we give those seemingly large problems their due?

Look... this is a simple fix. Get new toilet tank kit at Home Depot of Lowe's or some such and fit the damn thing. It is simple. Just do it.

Sleep well. If you want real problems... I'll send 'em your way.