Recommendations For A Replacement Fill Valve

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JIMMIEM

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The Fill Valve on one of my toilets just started refilling very slowly. The valve is 10+ years old. Instead of playing around trying to clean it I will just replace it. I've done several so doing the replacement will not be a problem. I've used FluidMaster in the past, based on availability. Are there a better universal fit brand(s)? Not a big deal, just curious.
Thank You
 
I prefer the Fluidmaster 400 series and usually change it once per year. The neat thing is all you need do is slip up the plastic collar that secures the top to the pipe which attaches to the tank. Pull off the old and insert the new one setting at the same height ......... maybe five minutes.
fluidmaster 400.jpg
 
The Fill Valve on one of my toilets just started refilling very slowly. The valve is 10+ years old. Instead of playing around trying to clean it I will just replace it. I've done several so doing the replacement will not be a problem. I've used FluidMaster in the past, based on availability. Are there a better universal fit brand(s)? Not a big deal, just curious.
Thank You
Some toilets require special flow rate ballcocks.

Post pics of the insides and name of the toilet if possible.
 
It's an American Standard. I found a label under the lid that had the specs. FluidMaster 400A was the specified fill valve.
Thank You for your replies.
 
I put in a Korky Toilet Repair Platinum Complete Repair Kit (4010MH) as a trial a few months ago. It is working well and I recall has a 5 year warranty. There were a couple of quirks in the installation. It uses a universal tank to bowel gasket that was much too thick for my toilet. After struggling with it, including trying to cut it down, I finally replaced it with a thinner gasket intended for the Crane toilet that I have. It worked fine, but cost me an extra $5 over the "complete" kit price, and the time it took to pull the tank on and off a couple of extra times. They also have an interesting flush valve that requires adjustment to get the correct fill flow that slowed me down a bit. Once you have it set, then it works well. It claims to be quieter, but it is really is not significantly quieter than the original style of fill valve. It does fill more slowly though.

Despite the issues, I probably will continue to replace the parts in my other toilets with the Korky when they need it. Next time I will buy the right tank to bowel gasket and throw the Korky one away... And you could just install the fill valve assembly for about half the cost of the complete kit. It is nice to have the adjustable flush valve though. I think it alone could also be installed without the whole flush assembly.

 
I prefer the Fluidmaster 400 series and usually change it once per year. The neat thing is all you need do is slip up the plastic collar that secures the top to the pipe which attaches to the tank. Pull off the old and insert the new one setting at the same height ......... maybe five minutes.
View attachment 38748
You change it once per year? Are they failing? Is your water bad? Or is it preventive maintenance?
 
You change it once per year? Are they failing? Is your water bad? Or is it preventive maintenance?
All PMs.... because of crappy well water.
More unusual than that ......... I do maintenance on our 30 gal. electric heater every six months which includes flushing out the pressure tank .. draining the heater .... changing out the elements and using a wet vac with an attached length of pliable heater hose to vacuum out the sediment. Also checking the anode rod through the bottom element hole to make sure it's OK. Got a dozen elements ... a couple thermostats and three anode rods in queue in case they're needed. Got the routine down to under 3 hours and that includes taking the "wall" apart to get access to the heater.
I learned over the past 3 decades that it's worth the time not having any issues in February.
( I also treat the toilet with an acid wash several times per year )
AcidJoe.jpg

IMG_0178.JPG
 
I prefer the Fluidmaster 400 series and usually change it once per year. The neat thing is all you need do is slip up the plastic collar that secures the top to the pipe which attaches to the tank. Pull off the old and insert the new one setting at the same height ......... maybe five minutes.
View attachment 38748
I like your quick fix. Can you indicate the plastic collar you are referring to. I don't like having to disconect/reconnect the water connections....our water has lots of minerals and we get deposit buildups that tend to interfere with good connections.
Thank You.
 
The "collar " which is just above the tank connection at the bottom.. It slides up releasing the valve body (Gray) from the tank attachment tube (black). In the picture below it appears to be transparent "nylon" ...... at least in color.

fluidmaster 400.jpg
 
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