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1. Why does my 400A Fill Valve turn on and
off by itself without the toilet being flushed?
(Scroll down to see three possible
problems.)
Problem:
The Fill Valve's
black vinyl refill tube extends too far down the overflow
pipe. This creates a siphoning action into the overflow pipe,
lowering the tank's water level and causing the valve to turn
on and refill tank.
Solution: Make certain the black vinyl refill
tube is attached to the top of the overflow pipe with the
angle adapter (see illustration). If the angle adapter doesn't
fit onto the overflow pipe, Fluidmaster offers a Special Refill
Clamp Model 599
Solution: If you don’t have or can’t
use an angle adapter, place the black refill tube into the
overflow pipe, making sure it rests above the waterline.
Problem: The toilet's tank ball or flapper
(see picture) is worn, dirty or misaligned with the flush
valve seat, or the seat itself is so corroded that the stopper
will not seal properly. This creates a leak that lowers the
tank's water level, causing the Valve to turn on and refill
the tank.
Solution:
Clean tank ball and drain seat thoroughly. If leak persists,
replace the worn tank ball or flapper with a Fluidmaster Bull's
Eye Flapper Model 500, Bull's
Eye Super Flapper Model 501 or a Flusher
Fixer Kit Model 555C. The Flusher
Fixer Kit includes a plastic replacement seat for damaged
brass, plastic or ceramic flush valve drain seats.
Problem: Overflow pipe/flush valve assembly
is so corroded it creates leaks that lower the tank's water
level, causing the valve to turn on and refill tank.
Solution: Replace the entire overflow pipe/flush
valve assembly with a product like Fluidmaster's Flush
Valve 507C.
2. Why won't my Fill Valve shut off? Why
is water continually pouring down the overflow pipe?
(Scroll down to see four possible
problems.)
Problem: Debris is lodged under the valve's
seal. Debris may consist of calcium deposits, minute pieces
of corroded pipe, rocks, rubber, solder, etc. that are carried
by the water stream to the seal area, where they become trapped.
Some well systems without a filter constantly circulate debris.
Solution: Shut off the water supply and remove
the valve top (Model 400A: lift arm first). Cover the opening
with an inverted cup, and turn water on and off a few times.
This should flush and remove water line debris. Turn top assembly
over and clean seal surface by rinsing under water. Replace
top (400A: lift arm first) by rotating clockwise. Turn on
water. In the case of well water supplies, the best long-term
solution is a filter.
Problem: Valve still will not shut-off after
being flushed out using the method above. Valve seal is defective,
possibly cracked or split.
Solution: Replace only the seal with a Fluidmaster
No. 242 Replacement Seal, available in most stores that carry
Fluidmaster valves.
Problem:
The water level is set too high and reaches the top of the
overflow pipe upon shut-off. This results in small amounts
of water pouring into the overflow pipe, causing the valve
to turn on to refill the tank.
Solution: Reset tank water to a lower level
by using the water level adjustment clip (see illustration)
located on the link of the valve. Squeeze the two sides of
the metal clip together, then slide clip down the rod.
Problem: Linkage on metal tank lever is corroded
and will not allow flapper to close.
Solution: Replace the tank lever with a Fluidmaster
Bend/Trim-To-Fit Toilet
Tank Flush Lever.
3. Why won't my 400A Fill Valve turn on?
Problem: Cap on top of the valve is not properly
locked into place.
Solution: Shut off water supply. Lift arm, then
remove valve top by rotating 1/8 turn counterclockwise. Refit
top by lifting arm, replacing top and rotating clockwise until
locked. Valve won't turn on if top is not fully engaged in
the locked position.
Problem:
Water supply to toilet may not be on.
Solution: Turn on water supply by turning handle
at wall.
4. Why is my toilet so noisy while it refills?
Problem:
The angle adapter is pointing straight down the overflow pipe.
Solution: Tilt the angle adapter (see illustration)
so the refill water is hitting the inside wall of the overflow
pipe.
Problem: Restricted water supply.
Solution: Adjust water supply shut-off valve
counterclockwise to open up water flow.
5. Why is my tank filling slowly or not at
all?
Problem: Swollen seal.
Solution: Shut off the water supply. Replace
only the seal with a Fluidmaster Model 242 Replacement Seal
available in most stores that carry Fluidmaster valves.
Problem: Plugged valve inlet or water supply
line.
Solution: Shut off water supply. Lift the rod
arm and remove top cap assembly by turning 1/8 of a turn counterclockwise.
Using a straightened coat hanger, carefully clean out the
inlet passage of the valve. Cover the opening of the valve
with an inverted cup, and turn water on and off a few times.
This should flush and remove water line debris. Turn top assembly
over and clean seal surface by rinsing under water. Replace
top (400A: lift arm first) by rotating clockwise. Turn on
water.
If the problem still persists, you may need to replace your
water supply line with Fluidmaster's flexible NO-BURST
Braided Stainless Steel Connector, available at local
home improvement stores.
6. Why does my 400A Fill Valve leak a small
amount of water from the top?
Problem: None. This is normal. When turning
on, the valve must vent a small amount of water for the valve
to operate.
7. Why do I hear a loud banging of pipes
when the valve turns off?
Problem: Not enough air in the right places
in water lines. This is often called "water hammer".
Solution: Shut off main water inlet valve to
the house. Turn on all water outlet valves inside and outside
the house, then flush toilets. Allow outlets to drain and
pipes to fill with air. Then turn on main water inlet valve
and shut off inside and outside outlet valves. Remove toilet
valve top (400A: lift arm first) by rotating 1/8 turn counterclockwise.
Hold a container over the uncapped valve and turn water supply
on and off a few times to clear debris. Replace top by engaging
lugs and rotating 1/8 turn clockwise. Valve may not turn on
if the top is not fully turned to the locked position.
8.
How does a toilet flush?
When the handle
is pressed, the attached lever lifts the flapper by a chain/wire.
This opens the flush valve and releases water through the
rim into the toilet bowl,  where
gravity siphons the existing bowl water down the trap.
Once the tank is
empty, the flapper drops back onto the flush valve seat, and
the fill valve float cup triggers an influx of fresh water
into the tank. The fill valve float rises with the water until
the preset refill level is reached.
What is a fill
valve? Also referred to as a ballcock, the fill valve
controls the release of fresh water into the toilet tank.
It is attached to a water supply connector through the bottom
of the tank.
What is a flush
valve? The flapper and drain that controls the discharge
of tank water into the toilet bowl. The flapper is aligned
over the drain and attached to the overflow pipe.
9.
What are common problem areas?
- Bent float rod
causes overfilling or constant running.
- Cracked/leaky
float ball creates nonstop leaking into tank.
- Noisy or lengthy
refill from corroded ballcock.
- Misaligned flapper/tank
ball (indicated by the need to jiggle the handle).
- Warped lift
wire hinders correct alignment of tank ball.
- Leaks form worn,
pitted drain seat.
- Corroded tank
lever won't properly lift/drop flapper/tank ball.
10.
Are there any quick fixes?
These quickie repairs
may help for a time, but eventually, the problem will return.
- Jiggle the handle
to reseat the flapper after each flush (controls flapper
leak).
- Straighten a
bent lift wire on flapper/tank ball (helps provide a complete
flush).
- Bend the float
rod (attached to the float ball) to increase/decrease the
tank's water level.
- NO-BURST®
Fluidmaster Braided Stainless Steel Connector for strength,
flexibility.
- Sturdy 507 Flush
Valve won't corrode.
- Bull's Eye®
501 Supper Flapper withstands harsh water.
- SURE FIT®
Tank Lever, bend/trims to fit.
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