paul wrote:
I discovered a leak which I think was coming from the bottom of the
cistern where the exit pipe runs to the bowl.
The cistern is enclosed in a nice cupboard :-(((

Never a good idea :-) Mind you, I've found them boxed in & tiled over.

We had clean water seeping between the bowl and the floor. I think a
very slow leak has been running from the exit pipe and then ending up
behind the bowl and the exiting on the floor

Soounds about right.

With much swearing I got a hand in and tightened the joint as much
as a could (perhaps 1/16 of a turn.)
the leak is now much more and seems to occur when the toilet is
flushed - as witnessed by water coming through a joint in the
'skirting board' bit of the cupboard. - ie a different place.

Hard to tell exactly where leaks like this actually start because the water
runs along surfaces until it falls off & then appears in a different place.

there isnt enough space to get a mirror/torch round the cistern to
have look and see what s going on . there is just enough space for a
forearm.

IS there a likely source of the leak before I (or perhaps someone who
knows a bit more about it ) removes the bowl, takes the cupboard apart
and has a look ?

Only three places it can leak; (a) where the siphon goes through the cistern
base & is secured by a large nut underneath, (b) at the joint where the pipe
connects to the thread on the bottom of the siphon, or (c) at the push fit
finned connector at the back of the toilet bowl.

If it appears only to leak when flushed you can rule out (a).

Dry everything off with kitchen roll, flush & feel around for a leak.

My money is on (b).

Sounds like the cupboard is coming out :-)


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk