Toilet Making Hissing Sound and Bubbling

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John Pettigrew

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Jul 18, 2019
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Hey everyone, quick question: I noticed my toilet sounded like it was running nonstop so I opened up the top to check it and I saw that the toilet wasn't running as in no more water was filling the bowl or reservoir but there is a piece that has 2 small square holes at the top and there seems to be water bubbling and making a hissing sound. I recorded a video showing the bubbling and the hissing sound. The video is located here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/k6RqvnJJVvLCjhTP6

Is this something that will require replacement parts or something minor I can fix? I am not a plumber by any means, just looking for some guidance. Thank you guys.
 
That part that is hissing and leaking water is called a "fill valve". You can buy them at the big box stores for about $10.

To change it (and learn something at the same time), follow these steps. It's a simple job.
1 - turn off the valve below the toilet
2 - flush the toilet and hold the handle down to drain the water out of the tank.
3 - use a sponge, a rag, or a shop vac to remove the small amount of water that will be at the bottom of the tank.
4 - under the toilet tank, remove the water line from the tank using channel lock pliers. You may also be able to remove it with just hand pressure
5 - remove the nut under the tank where the water line was connected. That nut holds the fill valve in place.
6 - at that point, you simply remove the old fill valve and the small hose that runs to the overflow tube.
7 - to install the new fill valve, follow these steps backwards.
8 - once installed, adjust the float on the fill valve so that the water level, when full, is 1/2" to 1" below the top of the overflow tube.

That's all there is to it. Good luck!
 
It likely is a faulty fill valve, however, I would be inclined to first try resetting the existing fill valves water height, as mentioned in item 8, above.
 
The adjust the float that is the black piece attached to the fill valve that has a philips head socket to use for adjustment? Thanks for the replies guys.
 
Yes. Turn that with a Phillips screwdriver to lower the float. Adjusted correctly, the water will shut off completely when the water level in 5he tank is 1/2" to 1" below the top of the overflow tube.
 
Hey guys, I pulled the trigger and replaced the whole fill valve. I bought this part from Ace:

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/toilets/toilet-repair-parts/4395158

I had to shut the water several times and adjust the height of the fill valve until the water level in the tank reached about 1/4 inch from the top of the overflow. This is correct? Thank you so much for the instructions on how to do this replacement. It took me about a half hour and I have never done this before!
 
I keep the water level a little lower than that, but you are probably okay.

Also, the little hose that runs from the fill valve to the overflow tube must not be inserted too far in the overflow tube.
 
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