[jalipeno]

Bought a foreclosure and the toilet worked for 2 days then wouldn't handle even a flush with nothing in it. Heard from the neighbors the other day that it was a toy matchbox car the lady before us' son put down there - and she kept using it and the toilet was disgusting.

Have already done the following:
Taken the toilet off
Used a commercial grade auger I borrowed from work - stops about 2 feet down and starts twisting up on itself.
Tried several times now

What should I do? I really can't afford a plumber and I have this nice auger to use if needed for free.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Jalipeno...

I'm sure you used the auger to snake the toilet from the front, but did you stick it up from the underside once you had the toilet off? Try the auger from both sides... see if that helps.

If that won't work you could try using a flashlight and an inspection mirror on an extension handle (see image.. available at all home improvement stores) to look up/down the inside of the toilet and see if you can see the toy car. May be that once you see it you can find another way to dislodge it. You may even be able to grab it using a retriever tool (see last image).

Finally, if all this fails it may just be better to go get a new toilet... cost about the same as a plumber's service call... ;)

Let us know what you think...

MARK

[jmjoseph]

I have been there before friend. I know the frustration that you are feeling. Except mine was a plastic chicken leg that came in a cooking set.

I removed the toilet, took it outside, and finally used a coat hanger with a 180 deg. Bend in the last three inches, and carefully fished it out. From the bottom. I think that the tool shown above will work too.

Good luck, and be patient.

[jalipeno]

Wow, thanks for all the responses! We have ruled out that it is not in the toilet, however. Somehow it made it through the toilet and currently resides about two feet down the drain pipe.

I think that the retriever tool you mentioned, Mark, might work if I can get lucky enough to get the open pinchers around it.

[massplumber2008]

Use the inspection mirror and bounce the light from a flashlight off it to see the toy better. You could also use a COAT HANGER and shape the end in such a way that it cups the toy...

Good luck!

MARK