Leak somewhere in toilet tank - ruled out float valve. Where else could the water be coming from?

Submitted by Cypripedium-candidum t3_z68z9j in DIY

https://imgur.com/a/4daWzwh

The water level is going above the water line and draining slowly into the white overflow pipe.

I've adjusted the float level so it stops the water below the fill line, but the tank continues to fill very slowly until it's spilling into the overflow again.

Next I removed the float valve that is under the cap in the top left corner and cleaned out the valve and the seal. Even using my fingers to lift the lever and make the seal as tight as it can go, and putting my finger over the end of the fill hose (the black hose running from the float valve to the white overflow pipe) to make sure no water is coming out there, it's still filling the tank.

I think there might be a leak somewhere else besides the float valve but I'm not sure where else to check. I tried turning the grey pipe on the left that the float rides up and down on, but it just clicks around and doesn't seem to unscrew.

Is there a seal at the bottom of the grey pipe that might need replacing? How do I get it off?

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Comments

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CoconutJeff t1_iy00l39 wrote

The fill vlave is the only place it could be leaking in. It puts water in both the black tube and the tank via the greay tube.

But the leak point is the washer under the pin under the top black cap.

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Cypripedium-candidum OP t1_iy04l48 wrote

Okay so the the water comes up the grey tube, through the float valve, and from there it goes into the black tube AND also somewhere else?

I feel like if it was an issue with the washer then pressing on the lever to force a tighter seal should have stopped the leak, but it didn't. I didn't see any obvious signs of wear, cracking, or nicks on the washer. I'll try replacing the washer and see if that helps. If it doesn't then could there be a leak in the grey pipe itself?

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cashew996 t1_iy070lh wrote

The water comes up the center of the grey tube and then allows water into the tank through the outer portion of the grey tube -- you need to replace the fill valve completely or replace just the top portion to stop it from filling higher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twynH8xVdy8

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Herpes-in-space t1_iy06b0e wrote

The bottom of the grey tube lets water leak out of the grey tube into the tank. Replace the grey tube and whatever else comes with it. $13 tops.

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baldingdad81 t1_iy06plq wrote

For the cost of a new fill valve.... As long as you're capable..... Easier to replace rather than 'maybe' fix it to then fail again.

Is a 5min job with a spanner & sponge.

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avilesaviles t1_iy062ju wrote

dirty or failed float valve not fully closing, disassemble float valve, clean if it doesn’t work change the float valve entirely

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1164wanderluster t1_iy1absq wrote

I would just replace the fill valve. Takes maybe 10 minutes and costs about $8. If I'm doing that, I would replace the supply line from the shutoff valve if it is a flex line. They have a somewhat limited lifespan and can be a big deal if they fail.

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Cypripedium-candidum OP t1_iy1cknc wrote

Resolved! We replaced the whole fill valve assembly with an $18 kit and that fixed the leak. Our water bill will be double the usual amount but at least we noticed and got it fixed!

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[deleted] t1_iy00qmy wrote

[deleted]

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Cypripedium-candidum OP t1_iy03xf6 wrote

There's nothing leaking into the bowl. And If the flapper was leaking the tank would be draining, not overfilling.

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therealhood t1_iy01fi0 wrote

Take a packet of kool-aid and dump it in the tank and see where the water leaks too.

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Cypripedium-candidum OP t1_iy03zfm wrote

I already know where it's leaking to, it's going into the overflow pipe in the tank.

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therealhood t1_iy04gs8 wrote

Have you replaced the mechanism? It may have an oring that has deteriorated

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Cypripedium-candidum OP t1_iy04pfu wrote

I don't need to. The leak is not from the tank into the bowl, it's somewhere in the tank.

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therealhood t1_iy04v0a wrote

There is a seal between the tank and the bowl, but I doubt it's that.

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therealhood t1_iy05pwy wrote

If you lift up on the lever arm does the water stop? Might just be something at the top preventing the float from going all the way up.

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Cypripedium-candidum OP t1_iy0bpa3 wrote

It doesn't. Some other commenters might have the solution of just replacing the whole float valve assembly, the problem is likely with the grey tube.

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therealhood t1_iy0hsu3 wrote

It's my goto fix for toilets...guts are cheap and easy to replace... the wax seal not so much

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Northviewguy t1_iy0qgd0 wrote

Replace the rubber washers on the upper tank bolts.

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