Thursday, October 27, 2011

How to repair a leaking Caroma dual flush toilet

So my Caroma Dual Flush toilet was leaking – it kept running even after the cistern was full.  I checked to see if the cause was the inlet valve, or the outlet valve.
Was it the inlet valve?
If the problem was the inlet valve, then the water level would have constantly been increasing, and overflowing into the hole in the middle of the cistern:
P1070879
If you see something like the above, that is, the water line is not constantly above the hole in the middle, that means your inlet valve is probably OK, and the problem is likely to be the outlet valve.
How to confirm the Outlet Valve is the problem
Get a torch, and shine it into the hole in the middle.
P107011868
When I did this, I saw water was flowing where shown in the picture above! Voila, there was a fault with the outlet valve.  The outlet valve is basically a rubber washer that stops water flowing into the pan. It is released when you press flush.
So what now?
You want to replace the outlet valve. Just watch the video:
Or, if you can’t spare 2 minutes to watch the video, you need to first remove the dual flush mechanism:
Picture 1
Then:
Picture 2
Once the mechanism is removed:
Picture 4
Just yank it off:
Picture 6
Now:
Picture 7
Compare the old flush valve, on the right, with the new one, on the left … no wonder it was leaking!:
P1070855
I used some tap lubricant to help reattach the new washer, as it’s a bit of a struggle to get it back on (but I don’t think this is strictly necessary):
P1070847
And here you go – nice clean and evenly reattached flush valve:
P1070856
Replace the dual flush mechanism, and check for success … there you go, no more leaking toilet! 
P1070875
If you are heading off to Bunnings to buy a new flush valve, ask for Item No: 9312232226167 or just print the picture below and bring it along! Not bad for $2.75.
P1070841
Good luck with it all.

67 comments:

  1. Thanks for the guide, I wasn't sure how to get the flush mechanism out,but now I do and loo is as good as new.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the part no.
    The old washer was so stretched that it did not look like the new washer, and you know what Bunnings "help" is like...

    The Caroma "repair kit" includes the flush washer, plus the ballcock washers for about $1.50 less than buying them separately.
    Part 93122 322 000 44

    Cheers,
    Andrew

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, I was wondering how to unclip a dual flush that has only two clips on the sides not front and back as the plastic seems very stiff it is a mid 90's model.

    Antonio.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. use a small flat screw driver to force open (delicately) the legs from the body of the cistern- one by one, lifting them a bit as you go. Good luck. Be careful not break- the plastic is very brittle

      Delete
  4. I've discovered the same problem of an older dual flush housing with side clips and wonder if there are instructions for this model?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I struggled as well. Still trying to find how to unclip mine. Because my hands are smaller than my husbands I had to reach in and do it blind. Not sure how straight it is. But it in 90% better.

      Delete
  5. I've been struggling with this old early 1990's Caroma cistern as well. Finally found some help on these models with the lugs each side. Head on down to this Whirlpool Forum page and save that plumber's call ...

    LINK: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1393153

    Kev

    ReplyDelete
  6. you are a god! saved me a couple of hundred on plumbers

    ReplyDelete
  7. Many thanks for the valuable stuff you have presented.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Does anyone know eher you can get the button set that sits in the top of the cistern lid ?

    All the ones I can find online seem to be smaller and less wide.

    I'm looking for the ones that look like the ones in the image here http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/australia_innovates/?behaviour=view_article&Section_id=1040&article_id=10044#

    Although that's from a PowerHouse Museum article so maybe my toilet is getting too old.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a better photo of the button assembly I need:

    http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc73/ambrose78/caroma%20dual%20flush/caromacistern.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anyone know where I can get this in the USA specifically for the state of Georgia? I simply need the rubber gasket as shown but can't find it anywhere that will ship to the US.. Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Does anyone know what the washer is that sits under the duel flush mechanism It sits between the mechanism and the porcelain at the base of the cistern inside the water not the external seating washer The cistern is a 1995 Caroma Sovereign

    ReplyDelete
  12. my float just doesn't seem to pop up to the full height. Is this the repair I need to do to stop it leaking. When I take the lid off and manually lift the float a little higher it stops leaking. How do I fix that issue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pninah there's a small plastic screw on top of the swing arm where it connects to the inlet valve. Turn this screw a few rotations which will stop the inlet valve earlier (e.g. When float is lower than full height).

      Delete
    2. I have the same issue as Pninah and have adjusted the small plastic screw but the leak continues. I manually lift the float a little higher and it stops. I think I am in for a new inlet valve? Any other ideas and do bunnings stock inlet valves?

      Delete
  13. Thanks for the information as I had managed to remove the system last night and replaced both the seating washer (Product #226167) and ballcock washer (Product #226150) early this morning. Everything is back to normal again.

    ReplyDelete
  14. My problem is the dual-flush CaromaSmart won't Refill?

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the info, but even after numerous washer replacements I still have a leak. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  17. I would be supportive on all your articles and blogs as a result of they are simply up to the mark.
    toilet repair

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great instructions, very clear. Wasn't sure where to smear the hydroseal. Problem I have is I replaced the seal, but the system is leaking faster now than before - any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi, thank you very much for the information. Does anyone know where can I get this in Singapore?

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi All,
    The operation of my outlet valve is sticky and requires a change. I have a 1994 caroma concorde. The only spare i found for replace is fix-a-loo thunderflush, does anyone know if this is a generic spare that can fit my cistern?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi all. I replaced the seating washer but am finding that thef flushing arm isn't resetting itself all the way down after the cistern empties, resulting in a trickle of water flowing to the pan. It just seems to need a bit more weight pushing down from above it and then it seals correctly. Any suggestions please?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yes I have the same problem. replacing the washer has not stopped the leak into the pan. What now?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yes I have the same problem. replacing the washer has not stopped the leak into the pan. What now?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction - your blog's been an immense help.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I just had the same problem. I replaced the washer, and things still leaked through. I found a comment on a youtube video to lubricate the washer with soap and water and to turn it around three times to seat it.
    That fixed it perfectly for me

    ReplyDelete
  29. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  30. It's just wonderful,
    Thanks for the share,..
    Valve Sales

    ReplyDelete
  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for the clear instructions and photos.

    Our 10-year-old Caroma suddenly wouldn't stop running (not just trickling), and I determined that the fault was in the outflow. I got a Caroma-branded washer that came with instructions. First step: remove the hinge pin and remove the float.

    To cut a long story slightly shorter, if your Caroma has a small float mechanism tucked away on the right hand side of the cistern and no arm overhanging the flush mechanism, just ignore the float and get stuck into removing the flush mechanism.

    Caroma suggest lubricating the washer with soap and water, and that worked well for me. To centre the washer around the outflow pipe took closer to 20 turns than the recommended 3.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  33. I have replaced the outlet valve of an inbuilt ( behind the wall) cistern because it was leaking. Now the half flush has stopped leaking but the full flush continues to leak. How can this be?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for all the tips

    I found that my a trickle of water continues after replacing the washer and was able to fix this by gently pulling the washer towards the centre with a pair of pliers all around
    Hope that helps.

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a legend! Thank you so much my hubby works a lot so a lot of the fixes around the house either take forever or I do them, so I looked on the net found this and went to Bunnings today bought the rubber valve (2016- it was $5.20) and followed your instructions and the toilet doesn't run anymore, I'm so impressed with your blog I will definitely look at more things I can fix myself... Cheers thanks heaps from the little Mrs !

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wash Basin Waste Pipes, Sanitary Band Pipe, PVC Long Band Pipe, PVC Joint Nut, Connection Pipe, Plastic Toilet Seat Cover, PVC Short Bend Pipe, Ball Cock Valve, Bathroom & Toilet Accessories/Fittings Manufacturer & Supplier.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi,

    Thanks for your post. Leaking taps can be responsible for thousands of litres of water waste every year. That’s not just bad for the environment, it adds up to significant expense

    ReplyDelete
  38. So good mate, I was at a loss after buying a caroma seal and it it didn't work! Thanks so much for taking the time to share!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Some hints re this fix
    The flush assembly does not fit that cistern
    The red seal (also available at Bunnings) seals better
    The best lube is dishwashing/hand soap
    Dual flush mechanism is held by 2 clips - on the body of the assembly
    good vid bro

    ReplyDelete
  40. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Can I ask what is the size of the washer when it is new? 63mm sound right?

    ReplyDelete
  42. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for all the tips. Today I was able to fix with help from hubby removing the flush mechanism as I couldn't unclip it myself. Easy once I have replaced the washer. I used liquid dishwashing soap to lubricate and turn the outflow pipe nth time until it's centered. I used the caroma product code 405006.

    ReplyDelete
  44. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  45. awesome, thanks. My toilet is leaking pretty bad. Now I can check both inlet and outlet valves.

    ReplyDelete
  46. For the next person that finds this thread like I did today... Had the mechanism in and out 3 or 4 times, changed outlet washer with $3.50 part from mitre 10, still leaking unless I pushed down quite hard as can be seen down the middle with a torch. Had given up then read the "lube with detergent and spin" tried that, just too slippery to spin! Then the magic happened, instead of trying to pull washer OUT from centre with pliers to try to centre it I started PUSHing with thumb from edge inwards while rotating whole mechanism until had a very nice, smaller, "fatter" centred washer with little bumps on white part JUST showing and hoo bloody ray a silent, non leaking toilet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hooray. You're a legend. This thumb sliding worked for me.

      Delete
  47. BIG THANKS for posting this, saved me a call-out to a plumber for two 20 year old Coroma's. Will add one thing, my seals were so old that they left black gunk in the narrow space were the seals sits, preventing a good seal. Pulled everything back out, thoroughly cleaned the area that the seal fits into (with a mild solvent) and that did the trick. Can't use harsh cleaning agents though, will damage the new seal, vinegar works ok.

    ReplyDelete
  48. when replacing the outlet valve on a caroma dual flush does iy matter which way you put it on .THERE IS A SLIGHT RIDGE ON ONE SIDE.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thanks - $3.15 at Home Hardware. Biggest trouble was getting the old one off. Tips here on centreing the washer also very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thanks for the tip. Been trying to figure out how to fix this without calling a plumber in for ages (been shutting off the water to the cistern once it's filled).
    Can head to Bunnings tomorrow, get the part and give this a try.
    Will let you know how it went:)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Have replace valve washer and it seals quite nicely.
    Problem is plunger doesn't always go down properly seems to get stuck quick push of button all good intil next time
    Thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  52. Where can I buy the black/red flush valve gasket seal for my two piece dual flush toilet in the Los Angeles, California area or on internet?

    ReplyDelete
  53. What a sensational site! Just some tips from my experience.

    When unclipping the valve, do the back 2 clips first then the front and it will pretty much pop straight out. I initially unclipped the front 2 and spent ages trying to get the back line undone

    Also putting the valve back in - try to put all 4 clips in “halfway” and then push it all the way in. If you do the front one completely then I couldn’t get the back ones in at all

    ReplyDelete
  54. hi. ive changed the rubber seal on the outlet valve . used oil and soapy water but still leaking. maybe i stretched the seal too much getting it on and off. heading to bunnings to buy another seal.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Good one ,I didn't know how to get to the washer and this showed me

    ReplyDelete
  56. How can l remove the mechanism on a 1984 dual flush cistern please? I need to renew all washers including the outlet washer to the pan

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hello

    I have changed the rubber seal on the outlet valve but it is still leaking. The main Central mechanism doesn’t seem to drop into place after each flush. This is a 25 year old ceramic caroma cistern. Am I able to exchange the whole mechanism?

    ReplyDelete
  58. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I have a Coroma dual flush - model LC1036 cistern which is leaking. I have turned off the water, flushed the toilet but cannot get the main section out to get to the washer. I have tried twisting it & there seems to be no clip at the bottom. Has any one have any suggestions

    ReplyDelete
  60. Your directions were spot on, thanks. My particular coroma had ridges at the back side of cistern rather than the tabs seen at the front, but everything else was the same.

    You may want to clean out all the other spam in the comments.

    ReplyDelete