Toilet not flushing - it's concealed so access is tricky.

[Skinleech]

Hi folks,

The toilets in my flat (main bathroom & en suite) are both concealed behind wooden panels with only a small opening available to gain access to the cistern. The toilet in the en suite has stopped flushing regularly and I think the siphon (diaphragm perhaps) is at fault as I've already changed the lever that attaches to the handle to the siphon but the erratic flushing remains.

I've done some googling on what I need to do and Screwfix have what appears to be a decent replacement siphon for £5, but I just want to check I'm not missing anything obvious. I'm really trying to ascertain if I need to remove the cistern in order to fix the siphon as whilst that will be possible it might be difficult given the lack of space to manoeuvre.

So, I turn of the water, flush the toilet then remove any excess water by way of a cup, sponge, whatever until the cistern is dry. There's no water feed pipe under the cistern, is to the right of the cistern instead & should be accessible with some fiddling. Taking a photo under the cistern shows that there are no screws holding the cistern in place there, just up top. So I should be able to unscrew those, remove the locking nut from under the toilet & disconnect the water feed then lift the cistern out to replace the siphon.

Any help is much appreciated, thank you.

[Macadee]

I'd try and remove the syphon with the cistern in place first.

No real need to turn off the water unless it is really easy, you can leave the inlet pipe connected. Just tie up the float arm in its closed position with some string or a piece of bent coat-hanger wire.

Make sure the syphon unit is similar in size to the existing or you may need to replace the float arm so it doesn't catch.

Get some old towels in the area, no mater how dry you think it is, there is usually water inside.

[Skinleech]

Thanks for this, wasn't sure of I could remove the siphon with the cistern in place or not, so it's good to know I can. I'll hopefully get the replacement tomorrow & report back on how I get on.

Cheers.

[Saracen]

Some cisterns have a removable (and often quite small) sealed access panel that gives you access to the ciphon, for fiddling, adjustment and even replacement. But it can be VERY fiddly.

I'd suspect that what you need to do, and the easiest way to do it, will depend entirely on how it was fitted. A decently-done "proper" job should have considered this in advance, and used an appropriate design for the job. A cheap DIY, or cowboy "pro" may well not have, in which case .....

[Macadee]

On the underside of the cistern, there should be a large plastic nut that holds the threaded outlet of the syphon against the cistern, before the flush pipe connects. (Just out of shot on the 2nd photo)

[TheDutyPaid]

Try squirting a good bit of liquid hand or bath foam in to the tank after a flush as the tank is filling. I did this to mine when I had the same problem. The internal parts can get gunked up.

Also make sure there is enough pull on the lever, try pulling the silver loop up by hand.

[Skinleech]

Got a new siphon today, will fit it over the week. The lever pull is def not the issue as pulling by hand or with a bent hanger still results in erratic flushes. Looks like the new siphon should fit OK, just need to spend the time doing it.

Cheers all.

[Macadee]

No worries, you've actually inspired me to get round to fixing a similar issue I have, got a new syphon ordered too.

[Skinleech]

So it was definitely the siphon - I'm amazed it flushed at all...

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps4f9eed53.jpg

It was pretty awkward work as there was so little room to move, I've scratched my arms a bit raw in quite a places due to them rubbing against the wooden side. Had to use a waterpump plier in quarter turns to tighten up the backnut but I think it's there now. I didn't remove the cistern in the end either which saved a annoying task. There's a very tiny leak of water, can't seem tot fix it with tightening the backnut but will plug away & hopefully eradicate that.

Again, thanks for the assistance peeps.