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slugbug · Dec 31, 2011, 07:08 PM

Simply put my toilet will only clear IF there is solid waste in the bowl. Only Paper or liquid no swirly! Just a nint of a swirl and doesn't drain out. Dump a gallon of water in the bowl and it clears (so venting is not an issue). Water enters bowl from tank just fine. Water valve completely open, the fill valve is extended as far as it can go so as to not have water running over the inlet fill tube. This problem has arisen after I replaced the old fill valve. When I extended the tube for the fill valve today it produced a nice swirly when test flushed twice and now has reverted to the problem again. I earlier raised the tank level by placing a brick in the tank & it flushed fine once. I can always resort to replacing the fill valve. But don't get why that would make a difference when it works under a certain condition and won't under others. No other issues with the plumbing and only have the one toilet and nobody is running water at the time of the flush. I don't get it.

cdad · Dec 31, 2011, 08:43 PM

Is the stopper moving up high enough to allow for the water to drain quickly and completely? Is your chain length OK? That stopper should be out of the way when you pull the handle and get the initial flush.

speedball1 · Jan 1, 2012, 05:19 AM

I have a few things to check. First off you raise the tank level by adjusting the float on the ballcock. Not with a brick. Lift the flapper up and check underneath to see if anything like toilet bowl cleaner got sucked down there and is now blocking the flow. If water doesn't flow from the rim holes take a coathanger and clear the holes. Also check the small jet hole in the bowl to be sure it's not clogged with mineral buildup. Lastly check your tank adjustments,
Check the tank water level, it should be at the mark in the tank or 3/8 to 1/2" below the top of the over flow tube. Now look at the flapper, If it has wavy edges on the flat surface, replace it. The linkage between the flapper and the flush lever should have 1/4" play when the tank is filled. Also, check the small tube coming out of the top of the ballcock and make sure it's connect to and draining into the white overflow tube. If the leak is at the base of the tank there are two brass bolts on both sides of the flapper, if the tank is loose, leaking or wobbly, snug up the bolts. If there is dampness at the base of the bowl, pop off the china caps and snug down the closet bolts. I would check all this out before paying 50$ for a service call and 50$ a hour thereafter. More questions? I'm as close as a click. TOM

slugbug · Jan 1, 2012, 01:14 PM

Thanks for all of the advice. The fill level in the tank is about 1/4 inch (maybe just a fraction more) from the top of the overflow fill tube. The flapper is fine, no ripples or anything and it seats properly. The toilet does NOT run, there are no leaks or anything like that and water enters the bowl just fine (no obstructions and don't use any cleaners or the like). The jet is clear, the water is entering from the tank to the bowl from the rim just fine and the small tube that goes into the overflow tube is OK (properly secured on both ends, doesn't leak etc).

I decided to adjust the location of the chain for the flapper moving it out to the furthest point on the level. Now if I flush the toilet after it has been not in use for a little bit the bowl still does NOT swirl out, HOWEVER IF I immediately flush it a second time after the tank finishes filling it will swirl out.

So having done all these checks am I down to fiddling with fine tuning the ballcock & float?

speedball1 · Jan 1, 2012, 02:39 PM

If you don't get the swirling action then the water isn't leaving the rim with enough volatility to began the process. About this time I'd be removing the tank and going in with a coathanger with a hook on it to snag whatever was impeding the flow. Something's stopping it and I'm betting you'll find it in the rim. And your thoughts? Tom

cdad · Jan 1, 2012, 05:11 PM

Shouldn't the jetting action be seen if the water was tinted? Like putting lysol or other cleaner into the tank water and watch it flush. You should see the white mixture come out of the lower jet and the surrounding rim. It may give you an idea of what is going on.

Milo Dolezal · Jan 1, 2012, 08:41 PM

Take a plunger and plunge it few times. Or take a 5' auger and snake it. Looks like you have something lodged inside the toilet trap. Back to you. Milo

speedball1 · Jan 2, 2012, 06:25 AM

Hi Milo,
I don't get a blocked trap at all. The complaint was that the flush failed to swirl. Not that it backed up and overflowed. I think a small piece of plastic wrap or something got sucked through the flush valve and is now caught in the rim blocking the flow. Cheers, Tom

slugbug · Jan 2, 2012, 12:47 PM

A brick actually does raise the water level (for one flush only) not the amount of water in the tank. Again, changing the flapper location now causes water to swirl out intermittently (sonetimes does, sometimes not), but will ALWAYS swirl out IF flushed a second time immediately after the tank fills after first flush. Again, water enters the bowl fine, there are no clogs in the tank or underneath the rim. Today it has swirled out on the first flush on 2 of 3 uses and on the 2nd flush on that 3rd use. As stated in last post, flapper is fine and has 1/4 inch play in chain when at rest. I'm going to adjust the water level in the tank down just a bit to see if that makes any difference. I'm fine with this now and think I just have to fine tune and think the problem was a combo of flapper location on arm and water level in tank (I just have to find the sweet spot). Thanks for the help.

speedball1 · Jan 2, 2012, 01:44 PM

A brick is used to try and conserve water, not to enhance a flush. While a brick displaces water it also takes away the volume you need for a solid flush.

I'm going to adjust the water level in the tank down just a bit to see if that makes any difference.

You don't want less pressure and volume to aid in a flush you need all the help you can get. Get that brick out of there so it can be replaced with water. Keep the tank level as high as it ill go and see how that works for you. Good luck, Tom