On 1 Jun 2004 06:12:50 -0700, (Kooky45) wrote:

I bought a Fluidmaster bottom entry float valve to replace an old ball
valve in a toilet. While I was trying to tighten it onto the pipe
connection I didn't notice a fibre washer had deteriorated and was
bulging on one side, and as I tightened the connection it pushed the
valve thread out of alignment and caused me to slightly strip the
plastic thread. I managed to correctly rescrew everything after
replacing the washer, but now I can't get the connection tight enought
to stop it leaking. I've tried PTFE tape and Bosswhite, but it seems
to need so much force to tighten the nut to stop leaks that the other
end of the valve connection keeps unscrewing (where it enters the
cistern). I can't find anyway to get both ends of the valve to screw
in without leaking (to the cistern and to the water feed). I've
probably ruined the valve thread and should buy a new one, but is
there any way to fix it?

Thanks,

Ken


If you've wrecked the valve thread you're pretty much screwed if PTFE
tape won't fix it. Boss White won't help.

Have a look carefully at the opening of the valve where it seats
against the fibre washer and see if there is any plastic moulding
flash.If so, carefully trim off. I had one like that once.

The seat of the metal connector could be damaged so check that
carefully as well.

More than likely you will need a new valve. I've found the Torbeck
are more reliable than Fluidmaster.

When you refit, do not do up the nut that attaches the valve to the
base of the cistern - leave it loose. Now put the connector nut and
fibre washer (a new one) on the valve and tighten very carefully by
hand. Now do up the nut on the bottom of the cistern and finally
the connector nut, but only gently.


..andy

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