[Uncle Vinnie]

I could use some advice here...

Kohler/ Rialto toilet...

After years of leaking, I finally bought repair kits for this toilet...
(Kohler).. to make a long story short, they redesigned the flush valve
(which was where they notoriously leaked) .. anyway, I have replaced the
flush valve and gasket and no matter what I do, it still leaks -seems the
builder/plumber used silicone when installing the original flush valve.. I
have not been able to completely remove the silicone from the china - so
either I remove it all (help? advice?) or do what Kohler really does not
recommend, put another batch of silicone to seal...(unconventional, but
should I just do it anyway?)


Advice? thank you.. I am at wits end...



--
B'rgds,

Vinnie

[Charles Schuler]

"Uncle Vinnie" wrote in message
...
I could use some advice here...

Kohler/ Rialto toilet...

After years of leaking, I finally bought repair kits for this toilet...
(Kohler).. to make a long story short, they redesigned the flush valve
(which was where they notoriously leaked) .. anyway, I have replaced the
flush valve and gasket and no matter what I do, it still leaks -seems the
builder/plumber used silicone when installing the original flush valve.. I
have not been able to completely remove the silicone from the china - so
either I remove it all (help? advice?) or do what Kohler really does not
recommend, put another batch of silicone to seal...(unconventional, but
should I just do it anyway?)

Shut off the water and flush to empty the tank. Remove the valve assembly.
Use a stiff putty knife and remove all of the caulk (both inside and out).
Reinstall the valve and you should be good to go ... if there is not a crack
in the porcelain casting.

[Uncle Vinnie]

Thanks Charles.. I pretty much have done this, however the silicone has left
a very thin skin/layer which I have not been able to scrape off... It's in
an awkward location, but I have used wire brush, and where I can, a razor
blade...

Sand paper was suggested to me.. is there a heavy course that can get wet...
? Should I just keep at it with the putty knife.. ?

thank you for your help?

--
B'rgds,

Vinnie
"Charles Schuler" wrote in message
...

"Uncle Vinnie" wrote in message
...
I could use some advice here...

Kohler/ Rialto toilet...

After years of leaking, I finally bought repair kits for this toilet...
(Kohler).. to make a long story short, they redesigned the flush valve
(which was where they notoriously leaked) .. anyway, I have replaced the
flush valve and gasket and no matter what I do, it still leaks -seems the
builder/plumber used silicone when installing the original flush valve..
I have not been able to completely remove the silicone from the china -
so either I remove it all (help? advice?) or do what Kohler really does
not recommend, put another batch of silicone to seal...(unconventional,
but should I just do it anyway?)

Shut off the water and flush to empty the tank. Remove the valve
assembly. Use a stiff putty knife and remove all of the caulk (both inside
and out). Reinstall the valve and you should be good to go ... if there is
not a crack in the porcelain casting.

[Joe]

Uncle Vinnie wrote:
Thanks Charles.. I pretty much have done this, however the silicone has left
a very thin skin/layer which I have not been able to scrape off... It's in
an awkward location, but I have used wire brush, and where I can, a razor
blade...

Sand paper was suggested to me.. is there a heavy course that can get wet...
? Should I just keep at it with the putty knife.. ?
snip

No. For surfaces that can tolerate it, methylene chloride-based paint
strippers will attack and soften the cured silicone. One example is
'bodied' KleenStrip. Go to your painting place and read the labels to
find the right product. Apply, let it work and the silicone should peel
off readily. Follow the directions as to safety, etc., etc.
Good luck.

Joe

[Uncle Vinnie]

Thank you all! Resolved...

I decided to take one last shot at it before picking up the paint
stripper...

I had a wire brush drill attachment (I used a cordless drill, btw!) which
did a great job of breaking up the silicone - the rest I easily scraped away
with a razor, putty knive, and then cleaned up with a brillo pad.. no damage
to the tank and it's clean... I installed the new kit, with no silicone, and
finally no leaks...

Thank you all for your help!


Joe wrote:
Uncle Vinnie wrote:
Thanks Charles.. I pretty much have done this, however the silicone
has left a very thin skin/layer which I have not been able to scrape
off... It's in an awkward location, but I have used wire brush, and
where I can, a razor blade...

Sand paper was suggested to me.. is there a heavy course that can
get wet... ? Should I just keep at it with the putty knife.. ?
snip

No. For surfaces that can tolerate it, methylene chloride-based paint
strippers will attack and soften the cured silicone. One example is
'bodied' KleenStrip. Go to your painting place and read the labels to
find the right product. Apply, let it work and the silicone should
peel off readily. Follow the directions as to safety, etc., etc.
Good luck.

Joe

--
B'rgds,

Vinnie

[Charles Schuler]

"Uncle Vinnie" wrote in message
news
Thank you all! Resolved...

I decided to take one last shot at it before picking up the paint
stripper...

I had a wire brush drill attachment (I used a cordless drill, btw!) which
did a great job of breaking up the silicone - the rest I easily scraped
away with a razor, putty knive, and then cleaned up with a brillo pad.. no
damage to the tank and it's clean... I installed the new kit, with no
silicone, and finally no leaks...

Thank you all for your help!

Isn't it great to win one once in a while!

[Uncle Vinnie]

Yes.. although one is leaking just a tad.. seems I beat up the 'seat' just a
little when screwing them in.. so the flapper doesn't sit 100%.. at least
the seal doesn't leak.. now the flapper does!



--
B'rgds,

Vinnie
"Charles Schuler" wrote in message
. ..

"Uncle Vinnie" wrote in message
news
Thank you all! Resolved...

I decided to take one last shot at it before picking up the paint
stripper...

I had a wire brush drill attachment (I used a cordless drill, btw!) which
did a great job of breaking up the silicone - the rest I easily scraped
away with a razor, putty knive, and then cleaned up with a brillo pad..
no damage to the tank and it's clean... I installed the new kit, with no
silicone, and finally no leaks...

Thank you all for your help!

Isn't it great to win one once in a while!

[[email protected]]

Uncle Vinnie wrote:

Kohler/ Rialto toilet...

After years of leaking, I finally bought repair kits for this toilet...
(Kohler).. to make a long story short, they redesigned the flush valve
(which was where they notoriously leaked) ..


where did you get the replacement kit.
I'm trying to stop a Rialto K3402PB
from leaking. Replaced the flapper with a Korky
but still does't fil. Figure replacing the flush valve is best
approach.

Thanks.
Cliff

[Uncle Vinnie]

Hi....

Got it from:

www.thecozypineapple.com

Part# 84503

http://www.thecozypineapple.com/kohler-84503.html


I ordered 4- the problem is that it is not leaking from the flapper,
apparently the flush valve/gasket just doesn't make a good seal... once you
get in there you'll see what I mean.. it just twists off...

Once everything is cleaned off completely, the new one goes into the opening
much better and is screwed in with these 'ears'...

I simply googled and they had the best price.. unfortunately I beat one of
them up a little - no matter how hard you tighten this thing up, you must be
sure all is clean.. the original install used silicone - which they might
have done knowing the shortcomings of the original design...

All is fine now- finally!

--
B'rgds,

Vinnie
wrote in message
oups.com...

Uncle Vinnie wrote:

Kohler/ Rialto toilet...

After years of leaking, I finally bought repair kits for this toilet...
(Kohler).. to make a long story short, they redesigned the flush valve
(which was where they notoriously leaked) ..


where did you get the replacement kit.
I'm trying to stop a Rialto K3402PB
from leaking. Replaced the flapper with a Korky
but still does't fil. Figure replacing the flush valve is best
approach.

Thanks.
Cliff

[Uncle Vinnie]

Just to confirm, Kohler part# 84503 is only the float valve and flush valve
for Kohler's Rialto K-3402.
They do make a kit that replaces just about everything (84499).. that goes
for $100+...
Good luck...

--
B'rgds,

Vinnie
wrote in message
oups.com...

Uncle Vinnie wrote:

Kohler/ Rialto toilet...

After years of leaking, I finally bought repair kits for this toilet...
(Kohler).. to make a long story short, they redesigned the flush valve
(which was where they notoriously leaked) ..


where did you get the replacement kit.
I'm trying to stop a Rialto K3402PB
from leaking. Replaced the flapper with a Korky
but still does't fil. Figure replacing the flush valve is best
approach.

Thanks.
Cliff