Toilet Tank Repair

[bgochnauer]

I have an Eljer toilet that is 2 years old. Apparently there is a crack in the tank somewhere around one of the tank bolts that I can't see and it's leaking. I know that tanks can't be interchanged between manufacturers, can I get a similar Eljer tank to replace and expect succesful results?

Ben

[LazyPup]

If you toilet is only two years old I would expect that any major plumbing supply house that carries the Eljer line should be able to get you an exact replacement, however, I would be hesitant to go to the expense of replacing the tank unless I were absolutely certain it is cracked.

The old style tank to bowl bolts used a rubber washer on the inside of the tank, then the bolt ran through the tank, through the bowl and a nut and washer was fitted on the underside of the bowl. Leaking tank to bowl bolts is a common problem on that style of mount.

The new style tank to bowl bolts have a rubber washer on the inside of the tank, then bolt passes through the rubber washer, through the tank, then through a second rubber washer and steel friction washer to secure the bolt to the tank. Once the bolts are secured to the tank, the tank is then mounted on the bowl and there are additional nuts and washers to secure the tank to the bowl.

When installing tank to bowl bolts I begin by cleaning the contact surface of the tank real well, then I apply a light film of clear silicone caulking to the underside of the bolt head, and on both sides of the rubber gasket. Pass the bolt through the rubber gasket, through the tank bottom and apply a bit of the silicone to the upper side of the second gasket before tightening it in place.

Also, when you have what apppears to be a tank leak, lift the lid off the tank and flush the toilet. Watch the fill action carefully. Often there is a small leak on the top of the fill valve or the trap primer line is mispositioned and the water is sprayed up to the underside of the lid where it runs down the back of the tank wall and will appear on the tip of the bolts leaving one to believe the bolts are leaking.