Hi:
Hope someone can help.
Have ~ 50 yr old toilet with relatively new flapper valve and fill valve that were replaced a year or so ago and toilet worked OK.

About two weeks ago toilet would not flush completely and paper etc. would stay in the bowl. When not working, water would slowly rotate and the level would rise in the bowl. Fortunately, no overflow has occurred but level would come to the bottom of the rim. The water level would then slowly drop over a couple of minutes and some solid wate and paper may be removed while there would still be some waste remaining in the bowl.

Other times toilet would flush properly. When flushing properly there is a rapid rotation and the water level drops immediately. Also there may be a 'gurgling' sound as the bowl empties.

Tried the following:
*vigorous plunging - would clear bowl, would flush OK a few times after plunging but within a few hours poor flushing would return.
*removed toilet - could not see any blockage, was able to pass large object through bowl without difficulty.
*threw bucket of water down drain in floor - water went down easily
*checked stack by passing snake down from roof opening - no obstruction encountered
*checked holes under rim - holes appeared clear, was able to insert coat hanger wire easily
*toilet auger - toilet would flush properly with auger in place during flush and for a few flushes after auger removed. However, after a few hours toilet would return to poor flush condition.
*throw bucket of water into bowl - water would rise and slowly drain.

Note: Have not used any cleaner in tank including 'blue goo' type.

Any other suggestions other than getting a new toilet?

Thanks for your help.

Hi Mike,

I have one that most repair plumbers miss.. Look down at the bottom of the bowl. If there is a small hole, then that is a jet that starts the syphon action. If it's clogged the water will just swirl around and slowly go down leaving solids behind. Take your finger,(UGH! ) and run it around the inside of the opening. Over the years minerals build up and cut down on the syphon (flush) action. If it is rough or you feel build up, take a table knife and put a bend in it to get around the curve in the bowl and chip and scrap it clear. Next take a coathanger and clear out the holes around the rim. They start the swirling action. And last, check the water level in the tank. It should be 1/2" below the top of the over flow tube. And speaking of the overflow tube, Make sure the small 1/8" tube from the ballcock to the white overflow tube is connected so it discharges in it and that it's flowing when the ballcock fills. This is what raises the water level in the bowl. For a good solid flush they all have to work together. Hope this helps but if it doesn't click on back and we'll test farther. Tom

Speedball1:
Thanks for your reply.
1. There is no outlet at the bottom of the bowl
2. Have cleaned out holes under rim - all seem to be clear - does not fix problem
3. parts inside tank are as they should be
Please review original post for all the things I have done to try to fix the problem.

Good morning Mike,

You have a older washdown toilet instead of the newer siphon jet type.
This leaves me wondering if you have a vent problem that's preventing the siphon action from taking place,( unlikely, since I don't hear you complain that you hear a "gurgle" from any trap or a loss of water in the bowl) The Gurgle that the toilet makes as it flushes is normal. So that leaves just one thing left. Something's caught down in the trap. Could be a comb, a pen or pencil or any small object. You auger the bowl and push any solids out and the bowl flushes normal. Then in time it clogs back up. How we check for that without removing the bowl is to auger the bowl so it flushes normally. Then load the bowl up with about 1/4 roll of toilet paper and flush. Do it again. If the bowl begains to back up then there's something down there and must be pulled and gone in from the bottom. If this is the case then it's a dirty messy job. If the bowl has to be pulled do you plan on calling in outside help or do you need instructions on how to clear it yourself? Regards, Tom