New Syphon or New Cistern?

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Have a toilet that takes quite a few vigourous turns before the toilet will eventually flush.

Assuming from reading other posts, that it needs a new syphon or flapper valve.

Wondering if it'd just be easier to replace the cistern? (It's old and needs replacing in the next few years)

Any advice?
Thanks
*edited to add pictures
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Last edited:
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Best give us a picture of what you have just now.....the siphon and flapper valves work on different principles.
Any replacement should be serviceable from the cistern itself, which saves splitting the close couple if that’s what you have.
John
 
I'd be confident from your description you've a siphon in the cistern and the washer is split. Siphon probably needs to come out to change the washer, so I'd take the opportunity to change it for a split siphon that can be serviced without the need to remove the entire thing from the cistern.

If a close coupled WC, change the Doughnut washer at the same time.
 
I'd be confident from your description you've a siphon in the cistern and the washer is split. Siphon probably needs to come out to change the washer, so I'd take the opportunity to change it for a split siphon that can be serviced without the need to remove the entire thing from the cistern.

If a close coupled WC, change the Doughnut washer at the same time.
How much work is involved in changing it? Something the regular person with basic knowledge can do or need a plumber?
 
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Best give us a picture of what you have just now.....the siphon and flapper valves work on different principles.
Any replacement should be serviceable from the cistern itself, which saves splitting the close couple if that’s what you have.
John
Pictures attached :)
Thank you!
 

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Turn off water. Disconnect water supply and overflow pipe (if fitted) from bottom of cistern. Flush toilet to remove as much as possible from the cistern, then disconnect metal link from the siphon to the lever arm. Remove any screws holding cistern to the wall, then undo the 2 bolts under back of pan, holding the cistern in place. (If totally corroded, you'll have to cut them off with a Junior Hacksaw and replace.) Taking care, cistern should now lift off the pan. Discard remaining water in cistern, and place cistern of a suitable soft surface that wont damage cistern and wont matter if damaged, piece of cardboard is ideal.

Remove Doughnut washer from end of siphon tail, and discard. Undo and remove large retaining nut, remove metal bracket (if fitted) and again, if too corroded, replace. Siphon should now be free, remove and either, replace the washer is that is your preference, or fit a new siphon. (Check height before purchasing, they do vary.) If replacing Siphon, look at the type which come apart for maintenance, the Dudley Turbo is one such example. Means you can replace the washer etc, without having to dismantle the Toilet!

Make sure area around siphon tail hole in cistern is clean, fit/refit siphon with new washer on the inside, replace bracket (if fitted), and ensure holes line up at 3 and 9 o'clock, before tightening nut to secure siphon/bracket in place. Fit new Doughnut Washer to tail of siphon, replace bolts in bracket, and carefully offer cistern back onto the pan, making sure it cannot fall, whilst replacing washers and nuts onto the securing bolts. Retighten nuts in unison so cistern is pulled evenly down onto pan. Reconnect water inlet, extreme caution with the plastic ballvalve, very easy to cross thread plastic, and overflow, restore supply, checking for leaks. Reconnect link to flush lever, and test.
 
Turn off water. Disconnect water supply and overflow pipe (if fitted) from bottom of cistern. Flush toilet to remove as much as possible from the cistern, then disconnect metal link from the siphon to the lever arm. Remove any screws holding cistern to the wall, then undo the 2 bolts under back of pan, holding the cistern in place. (If totally corroded, you'll have to cut them off with a Junior Hacksaw and replace.) Taking care, cistern should now lift off the pan. Discard remaining water in cistern, and place cistern of a suitable soft surface that wont damage cistern and wont matter if damaged, piece of cardboard is ideal.

Remove Doughnut washer from end of siphon tail, and discard. Undo and remove large retaining nut, remove metal bracket (if fitted) and again, if too corroded, replace. Siphon should now be free, remove and either, replace the washer is that is your preference, or fit a new siphon. (Check height before purchasing, they do vary.) If replacing Siphon, look at the type which come apart for maintenance, the Dudley Turbo is one such example. Means you can replace the washer etc, without having to dismantle the Toilet!

Make sure area around siphon tail hole in cistern is clean, fit/refit siphon with new washer on the inside, replace bracket (if fitted), and ensure holes line up at 3 and 9 o'clock, before tightening nut to secure siphon/bracket in place. Fit new Doughnut Washer to tail of siphon, replace bolts in bracket, and carefully offer cistern back onto the pan, making sure it cannot fall, whilst replacing washers and nuts onto the securing bolts. Retighten nuts in unison so cistern is pulled evenly down onto pan. Reconnect water inlet, extreme caution with the plastic ballvalve, very easy to cross thread plastic, and overflow, restore supply, checking for leaks. Reconnect link to flush lever, and test.
Thank you! Is it worth replacing the cistern at the same time?
 

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