Franke Little Butler HT-200 Faucet Dripping

[Jeff Handy]

I have a client with a Little Butler instant hot water faucet that is dripping.
It has both hot and cold levers.

I assume I can change the guts inside each side of the faucet, I just have never worked on this type before.
Is changing out the parts difficult or fairly intuitive?

First issue is it looks hard to get a wrench on the flats of the collar holding everything in place.
The two collars are crowded close together with the spout.

They mention using a 14 mm ring wrench?

Then, some sites seem to show parts out of stock for this, but maybe I am looking at the wrong model.


I also see at least two different styles of repair guts.

I have some pdfs of the procedure, but I am not sure which version of the repair parts I will need.

Changing the whole faucet would be expensive and almost impossible to reach it now, so far back and up, and buried behind a disposal, the heater, and a water chiller, and a rat’s nest of plumbing.

I included some pics of her faucet.

Any info is welcomed.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I had one made by in sink erator that looked very similar. Had a nut that you could take apart and the guts come out. I checked with ISE and they said no serviceable parts.

Problem is it’s a plastic ball in there and it’s not available to purchase.

This is my personal home, I determined it couldn’t be repaired.

I’ll be following along for kicks, maybe a prodigy will stroll through and can help us.

 

[arctic bill]

I remember a call many years ago. the dripping water was due to the water expansion with a check valve on the supply,

 

[Jeff Handy]

Franke sells kits with all the guts to repair hot or cold side.

I just never have done it, so looking for info on how easy or tricky it is.

My customer is now leaning towards buying a whole new system anyway, deep pockets.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Franke sells kits with all the guts to repair hot or cold side.

I just never have done it, so looking for info on how easy or tricky it is.

My customer is now leaning towards buying a whole new system anyway, deep pockets.

I’m going to see if they’ll fit mine. Different brand but they all might be made by one company. I don’t know.

Thanks for the lead.

 

[Jeff Handy]

I think Franke is made in Switzerland.

The faucets have gone through several design changes over the years.

And in one current version, the levers push back to operate, in the other you pull them forward.

Completely different guts in both styles.

 

[sawguy]

I installed the exact same one for a customer a long, long time ago. I remember within 6 mos I got a call because it was dripping from the hot side. Can't remember the fix though.

 

[Jeff Handy]

If the Franke heater tank is turned up too high, I think it can cause a drip as it tries to relieve pressure.

 

[TomFOhio]

Jeff, I install one of these faucets about 6 months ago that the customer purchased. They called and said they
had no hot water coming out. Cold works great. You take the outer nut off at the base and then there is a
flat washer under it that just lifts off and then you can pull the stem out. We ordered a new stem through
Franke under warranty and it still hasn't come yet.

 

[Jeff Handy]

This faucet is at least five years old.
The Franke warranty page says the cartridge is not covered under warranty.
There are two completely different types of stems or cartridges.
It looks to me to be hard to get a wrench on the flats of the nut that holds the stem in place.
Without chewing it up with channel locks or whatever.

 

[TomFOhio]

I just used a small crescent wrench that would catch the two flat spots.

 

[Twowaxhack]

This faucet is at least five years old.
The Franke warranty page says the cartridge is not covered under warranty.
There are two completely different types of stems or cartridges.
It looks to me to be hard to get a wrench on the flats of the nut that holds the stem in place.
Without chewing it up with channel locks or whatever.

Get you some if these. I use them to work on faucets and install trim with.

https://www.amazon.com/9K-00-80-45-...t=&hvlocphy=9012984&hvtargid=pla-568021556102

 

[sawguy]

Jeff, I install one of these faucets about 6 months ago that the customer purchased. They called and said they
had no hot water coming out. Cold works great. You take the outer nut off at the base and then there is a
flat washer under it that just lifts off and then you can pull the stem out. We ordered a new stem through
Franke under warranty and it still hasn't come yet.

Sounds like this faucet has about a 6 mo life span before problems.

 

[Jeff Handy]

I have a locking crescent wrench that might work well enough.

Meanwhile, my client is leaning towards changing everything for new.

 

[sawguy]

I have a locking crescent wrench that might work well enough.

Meanwhile, my client is leaning towards changing everything for new.

Just buy a Keurig for your hot water and coffee...99 bucks

 

[Jeff Handy]

It’s not mine, it is in a client’s fancy kitchen.

I would never have one, because eventually the heater tank will leak, causing damage in the cabinet and to the room below.

I put a catch pan under theirs, with a water alarm, after their previous heater rusted out and leaked.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I used mine to wash baby bottles and heat up baby bottles. Worked great. Also to make soup and hot chocolate.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Sometimes, when you want that first cup of coffee in the am, every second counts, haha.

I make brewed coffee, but first I need a quick jolt of Taster’s Choice with water from the microwave.

66 seconds gives perfect guzzling temp.

 

[camroncamera]

Hi everyone, looks like my post today just happens to be exactly one year to the day since the last post in this thread. I have a Franke Little Butler Logik Hot & Cold water faucet exactly like the one pictured in this thread. I too have been experiencing a leaky cartridge on the hot side. I can't seem to find any documentation on how to remove the cartridges from this faucet. Getting the retainer nut and handle off was a cinch, but I don't understand how to remove the cartridge. Is this 1/4 turn counterclockwise, then lift? If so, I can't get a good enough grip without damaging it. Perhaps this is the incorrect technique. The cartridge does have a little wiggle on it when I grip it with pliers, but it won't turn. I have protective plastic caps over the jaws of the pliers to keep from chewing into the metal, but grip is not sufficient with the plastic caps. I'd appreciate it if anyone can provide links to official docimentation or tips to getting this cartridge replaced.

Thank you.

 

[Jeff Handy]

I did not end up doing the replacement of the leaking stem/cartridge.
My client had a plumber working on their outdoor kitchen, and he swapped in the new Franke parts while he was there.
But I bought the parts from
Chicago Faucet Shoppe.
1 (800) 969-8625
And their tech support is very helpful, they have talked me through some tricky stuff before.
Not sure how helpful they will be if you don’t order parts from them.