Price Pfister kitchen faucet

[sjc1701]

The single lever faucet suddenly lost flow. I took it apart 3 times looking for a possible reason. Finally noticed the little plastic check valve in the chamber that supplies the arm appeared to be worn enough to get caught and choke off flow to the chamber. Took a pair of pliers and pried this out... faucet now works fine, but what was this valve really for? Is it a hazard not to have a check valve in there? (can't figure any real purpose for it).

[Plumber2000]

That is a diverter, used to diverts the water to a sprayer, if you have no sprayer, then no problem.

[sjc1701]

Well, I called Price Pfister and they sent me a diverter valve repair kit. (only $5 shipping... good so far, right). This kit has a new valve body, new retainer, complete set of O-rings, grease, and two different types of diverter valves with an installation tool. Unfortunately, it doesn't have anything that looks like the piece that was causing the problem! These valves look like one of them they might replace the one that's on the back side of the faucet..... what I need is something to fix/replace the thing on the front side. Since I can't find a parts picture of the faucet (older, cheaper model) I don't know what to call it. It looks a bit like a tear drop or maybe a very small ball with a stem stuck on it, made of hard teflon or a slick plastic.... anyone have a clue what model this faucet is or the name of the piece I need??

[Ragnar]

Actually, I dont think your model is old... You are working on a KITCHEN SINK FAUCET, right? The part you described that they sent you sounds like a SHOWER DIVERTER KIT... Call price pfister back and tell them you need the diverter assembly for a KITCHEN sink faucet and tell them what they sent you the first time was for a shower... probably just a clerical error...

It is called a diverter...

[sjc1701]

The parts they sent do look like they'd fit in my kitchen faucet. (There is a small metal stem valve with rubber seat on the back side and the valve body looks right). There Cat No. is 933DRK0 described as 'DVT. REPAIR KIT BULK NQ-31. It would sure help if I could find a parts blow up of this particular faucet. I'll give'm a call after Christmas, in the mean time does anyone have anything additional that might get me closer?

[Plumber2000]

You have a digital camera, if so take a picture and send it to me.

[Ragnar]

Well, you never said if your faucet has a sprayer, and if so, is it still working?

[sjc1701]

Yes, it has a sprayer that works but at reduced flow and pressure. In researching, I've found this model looks most like an 'Avante' model 33. Still can't find any reference to the little check valve between the faucet body sections that form the chamber which feeds water to the spout/hub assembly. The instructions for replacing the diverter valve that installs on the back side of the faucet body doesn't mention or show anything about a part installed in the front area of this chamber.

Sorry, I don't have a digital camera... so I'll do my best to describe. I'm talking about the two largest round sections of the faucet body (the round piece in the middle), the bottom one and the one just above. There are holes in both top and bottom which are in line. These holes are in both the back side and front side of the collars, the back side holes are where the diverter valve installs. The front side holes have what I'd discribe as a check valve installed between them. This piece is a hard plastic and looks a bit like a rain drop with a stem section that would guide it to rise up and seat against the top hole. Problem is the ball section has worn enough to allow this thing to catch against the top collar keeping the ball portion stuck and choking off flow coming from the hole underneath.

[sjc1701]

Found the original box for the faucet over the Holiday's (wife hates that I seldom throw boxes for stuff with a warranty away!). 1992, Avante 833 w/Flo-down aerator. (20 yr warranty). Emailed the info and problem description to there service/support folks.......parts to correct the problem are supposed to be on the way now (no charge, not even shipping!). Anxious to see what I get this time, will let you know how it turns out.

[sjc1701]

Well, I recieved another bag of the same parts..... no little check valve this time either! Finally got a chance to do the rebuild today, needless to say it didn't make any difference (yes, I replaced the diverter valve too)

If this were epinions I'd definitely give Price Pfister a thumbs down. Their service people don't even know their own faucets!! Guess I'll be replacing it..... with a Delta.

[Ragnar]

Hmm... I circled Duluth about 6 times today... Oh well... I live in Stockbridge, but work up GA 400 and Peachtree Industrial a lot... If I get a call to put in a new Delta faucet tomorrow, I will know who it was...