Can’t get cistern lid off!

[silver50]

See pic. Push button cistern circa 10 years old. Posting for a friend I went to see if I can help because cistern isn’t filling having gradually got worse (assuming fill valve issue/replacement needed).

She’d said couldn’t access the cistern and she’s right. I too can’t see how the lid comes off. Its definitely the buttons/flush mechanism that need detached in some way. It’s otherwise free.

I tried everything I could with the buttons (which wasn’t a lot)

I obviously don’t want to break it or that’ll mean flush repairs too!
Couldn’t see any make on it.

Anyone?

 

[Laurieo]

Hold one button down then lever out the other one ,should be a screw there which holds it in place .
Or if no screw ,turn the outer fitting anti clockwise.

 

[Mottie]

On mine, I just press the button down and get a good grip on the surround. You should then be able to unscrew and remove the surround and then you can lift the lid off.

 

[silver50]

Thanks. I tried to pull the buttons out to no great avail (holding one down). I had a screwdriver I was able to lever with too. No real joy.

I can envision there may certainly be a screw there…

Turning the outer wasn’t really happening. It just felt like you were trying to swivel it on something fixed below it.

 

[Madrab]

Try this

 

[silver50]

Thanks MadRab. That one isn’t the same but (remotely via picture to me) we’ve a bit progress. Buttons out.

See pic. I’ve just made the suggestion the bigger plastic end tab needs pressed into the recess to let the mechanism unscrew.

Doesn’t look like anything’s holding on- but it is.

I’m sure I’m right as yet!

 

[Deleted member 267285]

Do you know the make and model of toilet?

 

[silver50]

Do you know the make and model of toilet?

No, afraid not

 

[Madrab]

OK - that chrome centre has to unscrew from the flush valve - there are only 2 of that type of push button that holds the cistern lid on and I've changed goodness knows how many. One has the centre plastic screw you get to when the buttons are popped out, the other where the whole button unscrews. That has to be the latter.

It can't be held any other way, if you see what I mean, the only other thing that can be happening is the centre threaded section that the button screws into is broken and it's just turning.

I'm almost sure it's a siamp skipper valve, like this one,


and this is the button

If it is the whole thing definitely unscrews, it takes quite a few turns to undo it.

 

[Mottie]

The one in our downstairs bog I’d just a single flush but it unscrews. It’s easier to unscrew when the button is depressed as you’ve got something to get hold of.

 

[silver50]

The one in our downstairs bog I’d just a single flush but it unscrews. It’s easier to unscrew when the button is depressed as you’ve got something to get hold of.

View attachment 346760

Thanks v much but I think MadRab’s one above is the same. Seeing the picture sort of jogged my memory too.

Thanks Rab, as you say hopefully the whole thing isn’t broken/turning

 

[Madrab]

Worst case is you need to break the button off and replace both valves, not the end of the world as the upper section of the flush valve unclips and pulls out (see diag) of the bottom holder and they're not hugely expensive.

 

[silver50]

Worst case is you need to break the button off and replace both valves, not the end of the world as the upper section of the flush valve unclips and pulls out (see diag) of the bottom holder and they're not hugely expensive.

Thanks v much

 

[Madrab]

and replace both valves,

in retrospect - if you're careful you may be able to break off the outside edge of the button and get the lid off that way, if so then it may just be a button replacement

 

[silver50]

Hoping I might get down there this afternoon to try myself. I think the button might've been metal, but not 100% on that..