[Mlogan22@tampabay.rr.com]

I have a Kohler toilet that is leaking where the tank and the bowl connect. I thought it was just a gasket needing replaced, which I always did in the past. These new toilets are different than I am used to working on so I called Mike Scott Plumbing. They told me I need to replace the whole toilet to the tune of $600!!!! I had him replace the Kohler Class 5 Canister Seal for $109. hoping that would fix it. It did not, and the toilet is still leaking when I flush it. I have enclosed a picture to show these big canisters in the toilet for reference. Does anyone know how to fix this without replacing the whole toilet? Thank you.

[retiredguy123]

The cannister is pretty standard for the newer toilets. It has the same function as the older flappers. At the bottom of the cannister, there is a yellow (or red), 4-inch diameter gasket that you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot for less than $10 and they are very easy to replace. If you have trouble, watch a YouTube video. I assume that is what Mike Scott Plumbing replaced, but it may still be leaking. I would try cleaning the gasket and the ring that it sits on. If that doesn't work, replace the gasket.

Another possible issue that can cause this problem is a leaking fill valve. After you flush the toilet, the water level in the tank should rise to about one-quarter inch below the top of the cannister, and then the fill valve should shut off. But, if the fill valve has a slow leak, the water may continue to rise slowly until the water overflows into the cannister. To check that, flush the toilet and check the water level in the tank about an hour later. If the water level is at the top of the cannister, then you probably have a leak in the fill valve. Again, it is very easy to fix.

[Bill14564]

This page on removing the toilet tank might help.

Mike Scott Plumbing has been pretty good in the past so I would hesitate to second guess them. On the other hand, for a couple hours work and the cost of a few parts you could try fixing it yourself and potentially save several hundred dollars.

[frayedends]

I'm confused, they told you that you have to replace the whole toilet, then they were willing to try a repair? If I was a plumber and knew a repair wouldn't work I'd refuse the job.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

This page on removing the toilet tank might help.

Mike Scott Plumbing has been pretty good in the past so I would hesitate to second guess them. On the other hand, for a couple hours work and the cost of a few parts you could try fixing it yourself and potentially save several hundred dollars.

I agree, but if the leak is between the tank and the bowl, I would expect water to flow onto the floor. I cannot understand why a plumber would expect to fix the problem by replacing the cannister seal. Something seems to be missing from this issue.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I'm confused, they told you that you have to replace the whole toilet, then they were willing to try a repair? If I was a plumber and knew a repair wouldn't work I'd refuse the job.

If the recommendation to replace the toilet was made over the phone, it was probably not a plumber talking to the OP.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I'm confused, they told you that you have to replace the whole toilet, then they were willing to try a repair? If I was a plumber and knew a repair wouldn't work I'd refuse the job.

"I had him replace the Kohler Class 5 Canister Seal for $109. hoping that would fix it." Might be a case of "the customer is always right." If the customer wanted to pay for a new seal just to give it a try, even after being advised it probably wouldn't work, then the plumber was just doing what the customer wanted.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree, but if the leak is between the tank and the bowl, I would expect water to flow onto the floor. I cannot understand why a plumber would expect to fix the problem by replacing the cannister seal. Something seems to be missing from this issue.

Just guessing:

The plumber may have recognized the problem was cracked porcelain and not just a bad seal. After all, with no moving parts how does a canister seal go bad anyway? The plumber did not expect the seal to fix the problem. The plumber advised that a whole new toilet was required. The customer suggested/demanded/pushed/asked for the plumber to install the new seal just to see if it might work.

If the plumber had replaced the seal on his own and it didn't work then I would criticize the plumber. It was the customer who asked for the replacement even after being advised of the recommended course of action, the plumber was just giving the customer what he asked for.

[jebartle]

352-572-8954 Roger Pearce, very popular, reasonable and fair.

[Topspinmo]

Tank leaking don’t give much of where leak is? Need put drop of food coloring in tank, hopefully that will identify where leak is.

By looking at picture the two tank mount screw seals looks deteriorating? ( if any chemicals cleaners are put in the tank it will deteriorate seals) if it was me I remove tank and get fluidmaster kits and start over, cheap and easy to adjust if fluidmaster will fit Kohler? Kits Says universal?

Amazon.com

For 600 bucks if it was me throw kohler away and buy American standard.

https://www.build.com/product/summar...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

This how clean my tank is and I haven’t done nothing to it since may 22.

[Keefelane66]

A quick fix for the leaking canister seal until I get replacement. Coat liberally with Vasoline on seal temporary fix.

[CitFly]

Amazon silicon seals work best for me.
Amazon.com

[Berwin]

My leak was the tank mounting screw. One was badly deteriorated and the other one was fine. Since they came in packs of two, I replaced both and problem solved. Since I had the tank off, I replaced to gasket too even though it was OK. Our other toilet was leaking a little around the base occasionally. I called the plumber I had used before and asked him how much to replace the wax ring (at 70, I have pulled my last toilet). He said it couldn't be the wax ring or it would leak every time it was flushed. I told him to replace it anyway. Problem solved. Sometimes you need to know when to argue with the plumber.

[melfromohio1959]

I love those flapper style American standard. I hate the canister Kohler. In my original post. I said the leak was coming from where the tank in the toilet connect because I’ve watched the water leak out from there onto the floor. Good idea about switching up a tank. Might have to go to the dump or something.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by jebartle

352-572-8954 Roger Pearce, very popular, reasonable and fair.

I’ll second Roger. Competent and very fair in price.