How to fix a toilet: replacing the Fluidmaster 400 fill valve seal (HD)

How to replace the seal on fill valve for the Fluidmaster 400a.

If you have this specific problem, this is a very easy fix that most people can do. It requires no special tools (just moderate dexterity and strength in your hands) and can be done in under 15 minutes.

If your seal has failed it's much easier, cheaper and less time consuming to replace the seal than to replace the entire fill valve. I'm not very technical but this was not a hard fix.

Difficulty (1 to 10): 2
Time required: 5 - 30 minutes
Cost: $1 - $3
Tools required: None

Camera: Canon Vixia HF20
Editing software: Sony Vegas

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• how
• to
• fix
• repair
• Fluidmaster
• 400a
• fill
• valve
• toilet
• noisy
• leaking
• running
• not
• filling
• broken
• loo
• wc
• tank
• cistern
• water
• leak
• run
• hiss
• noise
• 400
• flushmaster

[ignite2excite]

all looks too easy,remember one thing, all parts are made from plastic and plastic breaks, so make sure you have spare parts on hand , as a plumber I would not use fluidmaster product again, why, because how do you justify a 1hour bill when the unit fails to turn off, I have had this problem a few times no simple explanation the inlet valve stem comes in 2 parts with a 2 O ring seal more problems giveme the good old fowler or daulton one piece sexy fingers plumbing services

[CraigMammalton]

@ignite2excite Thanks for the warning and expert advice- I should have mentioned the fragility of the parts in the video.

[casiverts]

Perfect. This video saved me a warranty service fee of $60.00. All I had to do was clean off the seal and reinstall.

[CraigMammalton]

@casiverts Great to hear that you were able to save some money!

[helen385]

Gracias from Spain ¡¡

Thank you from Spain, the video helped me a lot ¡¡

[CraigMammalton]

@helen385 Da nada (spelling?)! One of my best friends is from Barcelona, so I'm always happy to hear from people in Spain! :)

[cdgadea1]

@ignite2excite what valve do you recommend instead of the fluidmaster?.... than

[BMadoran]

Good video. There is also another option for replacing the seal that costs about $3.00 at about any major home improvement store. You can buy a new fill valve cap with a new seal already installed. Since everything in the fill valve is plastic you might as well splurge and spend the extra 50 cents.

After you are done fixing your toilet remember that the reactions are priceless when you can look somebody in the eye and tell them, "My ballcock was leaking and I had to get it fixed." =)

[CraigMammalton]

@jhenry1041 I never knew that people had such appreciation for toilets. Not to offend the Standard fans, but I prefer the new Toto to the Cadet. I think the average height in the US was a lot shorter in the 60s- the seat was pretty tiny. On the other hand, the Toto's flush lever was poorly made- I've already replaced it after less than 3 months!

[CraigMammalton]

@thydarwin Glad to have saved you money in NZ!