I have had my toliet apart five times now and the flush valve to tank gasket keeps leaking. I am now thinking I may have a crack, but for the amount of water that is running down the back of the bowl I would think I could see that big of a crack.

The last time I took it apart I used rtv silicone to seal around where the gasket sits to try and keep it from leaking. This is driving me nuts.

To beat all the toilet in the apartment that I take care of is a new toilet (toilet to go from Slowes) and it's doing the same thing.

Would one of the brass flush valves with a good quality gasket help any?

I know this is where it's leaking because the tank will empty if I shut the water off. That and I have replaced the flush valve and flapper twice with no change.

 

Pour a cup or 2 of strong brewed coffee or tea into the tank and look for where the colored water is leaking.From your discription it sounds like its not the flush valve gasket but instead the large gasket in the center between the tank and the bowl. You may be able to tighten the bolts that hold the tank to the bowl,as long as you don't crank them(be gentle).While your looking at those 2 bolts look to see if the rubber gaskets on them are cracked and leaking.If its leaking from this location replace the gaskets and you should be in business.
Good Luck and post back with the results.

 

No, I know it's leaking from the flush valve gasket. If it was leaking from the tank to bowl gasket then it would be comming out on the floor. It's leaking out of the tank and ending up in the bowl, so I'm positive it's the flush valve gasket, I just don't know what else to do to try and fix it.

I'm also wondering if it's a cracked tank, because three new gaskets should have fixed the leak. Is there any way to tell if it's cracked, cause it doesn't look like it's cracked.

 

Hello: bigpoppax2

The description you explained indicates the water leak is not on the outside of the tank. Thus, there is no water on the exterior of the tank/bowl nor on the floor or area outside the toilet.

Based upon that, the water loss is going >into< the bowl. If that is correct and a new flapper does not resolve the problem, providing the flapper is installed correctly and there is enough free play in the chain/strap to allow the flapper to fully seat, than it is likely a pitted flapper seat.

A pitted flapper seat allows water to bypass the seal between the flapper and the flapper seat (ring) seal. Replacing the center flapper ring seal seat, usually bronze or brass metal tappered ring, should resolve the water leaking into the bowl.

As you indicated, if the leak where to be the gasket between the ring seal seat for the flapper, the water would be coming out and running down the bowl onto the floor. Which is not ahppening, as you clearly mentioned and as I understand you to mean.

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No not quite what I was saying.....

I have replaced the flush valve, the vavle seat and the flapper. Everything inside the tank is new, even the bolts and the washers.

It is definately not a pitted valve seat, it's brand new.

I am still convinced it's the gasket between the flush valve and the tank. If it leaks there you will not get water on the outside of the toilet as long as your tank to bowl gasket is in good shape, it will just leak down into the bowl.

Does anyone follow what I am trying to say here? I am 99% sure this is what is happening and can't figure it out. Like I said I have replaced that gasket several times and even tried putting RTV (blue glue) on it that last time.

Help??

 

How thick is the gasket between the tank and bowl?

There are thick ones and thin ones out there, you should be using a thick looking gasket.

 

Hi,
The fill valve could be siphoning the water out of the tank. To check remove the hose from the fill valve to the over fill pipe. That hose should not go inside the overfill pipe they make connectors that keep the end of the hose above the pipe.Another possible problem could be the overflow pie is broke or loose at the bottom letting the water drain out. If you don't cure the leak this way you can take the tank off the toilet and use the tank bolts to seal the holes. Set the tank up on a couple of bricks and fill with water. You should be able to find the leak that way.
Good Luck Woodbutcher

 

Plumber2000, I'll check that on the gasket. I'm not real sure how the tank to bowl gasket would affect the leak I'm having. I'm not leaking outside of the toilet anywhere, it's all internal.

Woodbutcher, I had not thought of that to check for the leak. That's a great idea. That would tell me exactly where it's leaking. Whether I can do anything about it is another story.

 

I re-read your post, and yes it will not affect it like I thought.

Check and make sure the bowl fill tube is not below the full water level in the tank, this will cause it to siphon.