Flushing debris from the Fluidmaster 400 series fill valve

Flushing debris from the Fluidmaster 400 Series Fill Valve. Please let me know if this video and procedure was helpful. 

[@Differentthingsstandup]

Thanks! Fixed before my frozen broccoli was finished microwaving. Time to eat

[@justarandomuser8434]

great advice! i would just like to add one thing, from my own experience. if you look when the cap is off, you'll see a white ring with little rectangle-like holes in it. if you have minerals built up, they will get stuck in that. sometimes they are too big to be flushed out with the cup technique (as was my case), so what i did was, i got a q-tip, pulled the fuzz all off, squashed that end flat and used that to break them up and then i flicked them out, then i did the rinse to get the ones i couldn't flick out. just a heads up if the flushing technique doesn't seem to move the deposits.

[@Warzau]

Thanks!! This was very helpful. I was going to go out and buy another Fill valve, when I ran into your video. My Fluidmaster would trickle when the float reached the top. I shut off the supply, took it apart took a toothbrush to clean. Ran with a cup over it to rinse and then put it back together. It stop the flow of water now. THANKS! Saved me from going out in the single digit weather today.

[@daveb7811]

This video probably saved me $200. Thanks!!

[@michelleng7222]

Thank you!! My float kept shooting out water even when I lifted it, and I was about to just replace the whole darn thing. Luckily I did a search and found your video. It completely resolved my issue.

[@garycantleberry8352]

Fantastic instructional video. In 10 minutes I did what I could not do in 1 1/2 hours. Thank you for posting.

[@mybeachshack]

"Call your technical service team." For sure. Every home should have one. Or maybe two ! Helpful video, my 2yr old Fluidmaster is trickling through just a bit, and I will do as you did. Thanks !

[@becklotheamazing]

I really thought I was going to break the cap off, but it finally came loose with enough effort. I did two flushes just in case, and then everything worked perfectly. Thank you!

[@sup2069]

Thanks for the video! One toilet squealed, the other just loud with filling. Now both are super silent, saved money and time!

[@117zombies]

Excellent video. Cup trick cleaned the obstruction and now shuts off. Thank you

[@TheMysticSaint]

Awesome! This thing has been making a high pitched wet hissing noise and after taking a close look I saw water coming out from around it. Your video came right up and this was the exact problem. There were a few larger grass like bits in there. How the hell that gets into our water pipes! You'd think it would be better sealed and filtered. Oh well, thanks a bunch for the $0.00 repair.

[@orvillelowther259]

Thank you for the video. My deep well pump was failing and released parts of the pump internals (it looked like packing material) into my incoming lines. This has caused a lot of problems with the kitchen faucet and caused my toilet to fill very slowly. Over time the fill valve reached the point it would not shutoff as well. I assumed i would have to purchase another fill valve and replace it. Now I know I can take the fill valve apart and clean it out. Thanks again! This simple flush saved me a considerable amount of time and money, not to speak of the aggravation that would come with replacing it. God bless.

[@smilingvulture]

big thx - saved me a plumber worked exactly as you explained

[@garyjohansen8513]

Outstanding, American Standard Champion - came across while looking for a fix for ghost flushes on my AS Champion toilet which is otherwise universally blamed on the flush valve seal or o-ring on the flush valve top piece. This fixed a very small leak in the fill valve that allowed a very slow silent leak to overfill the tank. A precursor to the need for this problem for me was a hammering (vibrating) sound when the tank was refilling after a flush.

[@RainingRebecca]

Thank you so very much. There was an underground water pipe on the road that they had to repair and thanks to your clear instructions i was able to get the debris out that kept the tank running !! Worked like a charm :)

[@charlestoast4051]

Thanks, that worked for me too! I had an older valve, that needed more work to get apart, and I will replace it with the more recent model which makes it easy to get to the filter, it's a no-brainer for $10. Big lumps of black crud in mine, blocking all flow until I did your fix!

[@luckydog-287]

Super great video! Well done! Thank you!

[@luckydog-287]

Used your video, again! Thanks so much!

[@prop1466]

I knew that top part came off. Just didn't want to break it. Perfect, thanks!!

[@maryclarke5716]

Worked like a charm! Water must have been shut off while I was away. My sink sprayer, faucet and toilet fill valve all had to be cleaned. I had seen this done before, but I couldn't remember the procedure. Thanks for the video :)

[@jhectormartin]

extremely helpful. if all help videos were quick and thourough like this it would be terrific....thanks

[@MsJellyBellyLove]

thank you, the video worked great. our new fill valve started running and i followed the vid - found a piece of debris, flushed it as shown, put it all back and works great!

[@InterJecht]

Had the same problem, brand new toilet and valves. Toilet was constantly running even when the float was all the way up. Took it apart and sure enough a small pebble of concrete was sitting inside, flushed, reassembled, works perfectly.

[@1MoreTurn]

This method worked for my fluidmaster toliet. Thank you very much. The constant hissing has stopped.

[@henrymeyer8122]

This worked just as explained. I had to rinse off the gasket as well as flush the fill valve, but knowing I didn't have to replace any parts is great.

[@ionfiter]

Worked Great!! Thank you! Took about 1 minute, rinsed and wiped clean the water-stream area and the gasket on the top part, and voila! I wouldn't have guessed how to do this without this video, and I'm delighted not to throw away a part that just needed a simple flush and wipe. Er.... well, hmm, no better way to say it...

[@boklee1862]

Thanks so much! You saved me a $200 -300 plumbing repair. I followed your instruction in dissembling the fill valve and it went so smoothly with rubber gloves on! ( I also practiced with my Fluidmaster 400a kit most parts of which I have not used for years.) when I turned on the water supply, I noticed nothing clogging on top of the fill valve. So happily I put back on the cap and turned on water. Guess what! Going back to square one!!! Since water flowed well without the cap, I suspected the cap and removed it from fill valve again. The black gasket was in the center of the cap inside and looked okay, but as I opened the gasket, I saw the inside of the gasket covered with foreign stuff and the gasket itself was wearing out. From the 400a kit, I removed the new gasket and put it on my old fill valve cap. Finally, all problems have been fixed!!! Thank you so very much!!!

[@JarrodSears]

Perfect. Had some debris in a brand new installed toilet and this was the issue.

[@GeraldMMonroe]

Same here - I bought that neat "complete toilet repair kit" which is every single component in the tank. And the very last step, the valve worked once, perfectly. Then I opened the shutoff valve all the way and tried another flush....and it wouldn't stop running. Took the top off per the procedure, and there were bits of metal from the iron pipes.

[@blighted2013]

Thank you! The first time I tried it, it started working, but the water was slow. I did it again and it's back to normal.

[@BrandonMB]

Your video explanation was great! Fixed the constant running.

[@williamemmer4381]

thank you! this was so easy and saved me a call to the plumber!!

[@tanileague3944]

Wow! An example of its the little things that..... Thanks for sharing. I'd already purchased a replacement and my 2 tools ready for the change, but I followed your detailed vid out of curiosity. Fixed my toilet! Btw, I saw your video posted on a plumbing blog.

[@GotFreight]

Worked great up here in Alaska. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@CountryRefuge]

Hi. Toilet Pro! I have been struggling with the float in my toilet needing a push to fill, and frustrated with attempts to stop the problem. This afternoon, determined to fix it, I found your video. Thank you! Thank you! Your directions are clear and it worked great--that toilet finally has its tank lid back on it.

[@dthomas2237]

Glad to hear the video's were helpful.

[@dthomas2237]

CountryRefuge Thanks for the comment. I just wanted to make sure your fill valve was still operating properly as the problem you described is not usually caused by debris in the valve. What you describe is indicative of swelling of the main seal, model 242, located in the top of the valve. If the seal swells due to hard water or chlorine in the tap water, it restricts the movement of the little metal pilot stem and cannot shift open and/or closed on its own power. A little nudge on the float cup will allow it to shift position. If the problem persists, replace the main seal. Fluidmaster can send you one if the valve is still under warranty. Otherwise, it is sold at Home Depot.

[@ThatRandomDude400]

Thanks for the video, it was very helpful and saved me from buying a new one.

[@RandomFemale]

Thank you! This video was easy to follow and worked perfectly. You saved me from replacing the fill valve (or calling the plumber). Everyone - make sure you don't let that cup slip out of your hand when you reach around to turn off the water!

[@daniellapicola240]

Thank you so much for this, fixed the issue right away. I was getting ready to replace the whole unit.

[@swingbossa]

Thanks for the tip! Worked great since the mechanism was less than 2 years old.

[@1965tzm]

You are the Men !!

[@hawaiidispenser]

Worked like a charm. Thank you! Oops, I spoke too soon. The noise started up again, so I just replaced the whole top portion with a new one.

[@jolenenickel1642]

Very well done instructional video for novice household "handywoman- wannabe".

[@drk321]

Bought a brand new fluidmaster fill valve and installed it. Toilet still whined while filling. Watched this video and did everything recommended. Toilet still whines while filling.

[@USAAmazon]

Great video - easy to understand and follow. Thank you so very much for solving my constant-fill problem.

[@ericm344]

Great video, totally fixed my issue!! Many thanks!

[@warrenradcliff123]

Well, that is cool, I am going to have to try this. My Fluidmaster does not leak any as far as I can tell but it does whistle when you flush it. LOL

[@salvadorordaz1566]

Thank you.There was a lot of debris,it is working now

[@heyou429]

Perfect, thank you so much for sharing this!

[@MrRamaHoltzman]

Thank you! Exactly the information I needed to fix my issue.

[@crand20033]

My tank wasn't filling up. I looked inside and started playing with the fill valve. When I pressed on the top it started working so that's when I discovered it had debris in it and wanted to take it apart but didn't know how. I think that will fix it. I had already bought a new valve but will now be able to take it back.

[@toushirousuyama]

Problem fixed! Thanks for the help!

[@peteryung9250]

Awesome, thanks for sharing

[@TwinHomeExperts]

First, you should determine if you have copper or galvanized piping ? if you have galvanize piping ,then disconnect the supply line from the fill valve and flush from their first into a bucket ,then reconnect back to the fill valve and follow the procedures. If you have copper pipes .then you can perform flushing through the fill valve as illustrated in this video. 30 seconds is way to long folks to flush ! it takes about 10 seconds at most to flush debris out . Also keep in mind, if your hand is to big ,you don't have to reach all the way down to hold the grey shaft as illustrated in this video ,you can hold onto the grey shaft just below the cap assembly and then twist off , Hopefully this added some helpful tips !

[@dthomas2237]

+The Twin Home Experts Hey guys! Thanks for the tips. I work for Fluidmaster in Technical Support and we always welcome tips and feedback. I also have a twin brother but he builds websites, not toilet trim. I walk people through this procedure everyday. I have seen all types of debris from calcium flakes, carbon filter to pieces of rubber washers from the angle stop valves. This debris can collect for years without affecting the valve, but if there is a lot of it, sometimes take several 30 second flushes to clear it all. Please enlighten me on the need to remove the supply line if the piping is galvanized. I have never had to do this before. That may help us in future applications. You are correct about holding above the float, I have directed some customers to do it that way but then some have trouble propping the float up with the hand that is turning the cap.

[@miriamelizondo6530]

Perfect! Thank you!

[@brianctube]

Wow, it worked for me! Thanks for saving me the trouble of replacing it.

[@ResetDoitAgain]

This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks a million. :)

[@Mr.Worf63]

Just tried this and it worked perfectly ! 👍

[@franklidgad]

Thank you for the video. In my case it did not help though as when I removed the top everything was clean. Issue was very very slow to fill... like 30 mins. Been living like that for a long time so figuring I needed to replace it I thought I would wait until I had some spare time. Purchased a replacement valve and then took out the old one but before I swapped it out I wanted to see what the issue was. With the top off and looking down the tube you could not see through. There was something inside blocking the flow. It was green in color and about one inch long. I checked the new one and it did not have this. So took the needle nose pliers and and pulled it out. Turns out it is what looks like to be a green rubber one way valve and it was malfunctioning. Put everything back together without this and all is working great. Works as good as new. I will take the new one back or keep it as a spare.

[@arleighluckett8501]

Hmmm ... our problem was the water kept running and I fixed that following the instructions in the video BUT our tank is also slow to fill so I guess I'll take another look. Thanks.

[@franklidgad]

@@arleighluckett8501 That tube should be clear. If there is something in there blocking the flow then that would be the reason. 2 years later and I am still using the same one with no issues.... after I removed what was blocking mine.

[@arleighluckett8501]

Sure enough there was what looked like a crumpled up gasket of some kind in there restricting the flow.

[@franklidgad]

​@@arleighluckett8501 Glad to hear this helped you out. Hopefully this can help others too. Replacement parts are getting crazy expensive.

[@alexduff8918]

This solved my issue, thanks for the video.

[@ianhutchings9712]

Brilliant - thank you

[@ninja63639]

I just did this and it worked perfectly

[@TheShow2015]

it works thanks a lot​. the problem was small rock blocking it from closing

[@BillDWP]

Worked great, thank you.

[@jaejae6726]

THANK YOU SO MUCH YOUR A LIFE SAVER

[@mbluetyphoon]

Great video! I learned alot today about the fill valve. Now all I need to do is replace the shut off valve at the toilet- it is about ready to go. Thank you so much! :-)

[@joeharm8141]

Excellent. Thank You.

[@vettemedx]

Thank you....this fixed it in less than a minute. Had two little pebbles sitting in the holes on top after the house water was turned on. had to help them out with a scribe then a good flush all in all fixed in under a min!

[@nickbrydels1894]

Thank you!

[@Mad-Jelly-Fish]

Fixed it thank you!

[@yellowclivia]

It worked! Very helpful. Thanks.

[@rachelchalupa]

Thank you!!!!!! Solved my problem 😀😀😀

[@fastflyguy9192]

Thanks. Good video

[@Dawn0mite]

This is exactly what I needed to do! Thank you very much. :)

[@ww68mule]

there were a couple little pebbles which I picked out flushed it hopefully that did it. Thanks for the help.

[@dthomas2237]

Please let me know if this video and procedure was helpful.

[@StephenBorchert]

TheToilet Pro I'm smacking my head after replacing the fill valve twice before I found this.

[@zomgzack1]

Very helpful man thanks

[@subhashmalik8684]

i cannot see veido

[@plutovex]

TheToilet Pro it really was. I just bought a toilet and it ran all night. I was about to go buy a new one.

[@tamaracontreras3759]

TheToilet Pro 7

[@TheJigen]

Thanks Boss

[@whoo356]

Thank you so much. You save me $80.00

[@JeannetteSeward]

What do you do if grit is a constant problem? This is a brand new toilet. I was thinking the Fluidmaster 400 was too wimpy because our other toilet works fine. Then I realized the other toilet has the Fluidmaster 400 too! Maybe the grit doesn't make it up to the second floor. Anyway, we have a toilet rendered useless by grit.

[@thomaskoay9550]

Very useful. However I was very unlucky as my shut off valve broke during this procedure (rubber gasket inside came loose) and I had to turn off my water main. I then hired a plumber to replace that with a ball valve.

[@haganbush1480]

Thanks for this post. Thought I was the only one who had such bad luck with anything to do with plumbing. I no longer feel alone 🙂

[@theonlysamurai9320]

Okay so I did the exact same thing as shown in this video and got the same results up until I place the cap back on it’s like it didn’t even work. I gonna try to see how bad the cap is.

[@HardDriver3950]

This just saved me - thanks so much! One question - the debris I found inside was a small, black rubber gasket that had broken. I couldn't see where it came from. Should I be worried?

[@dthomas2237]

It is common for the rubber seals in the shut-off valves to become brittle and break apart. They then flow into the fill valve. I would consider replacing the shut off valve. I recommend the quarter turn ball valve style to prevent this issue.

[@mikeydunc4910]

What if I can see debris in between the float and the shaft?

[@danwalsh3578]

Mine was so full of debris, copied this, worked fine, why do they decide to not work at 4am!!! thanks

[@rjbend01]

When I turn the water on to flush the valve, the water pressure is low. A cup isn't even required to stop the water. What is causing this low water pressure?

[@angelicamichelle1646]

I use a paint by numbers paint brush and clr and then flush

[@winrx]

I hear a hissing noise after each flushing that lasts for about 15 minutes but then goes away - is the problem most likely debris....? Thanks!

[@duanethomas8753]

winrx If the hissing is not continuous, it is usually not a debris issue. This sounds like the main seal is failing to shut off right away. I would replace the seal, model 242 if the valve is no more than 7 years old. If it is older than that, replace the entire fill valve.

[@brucecattell1507]

After installing the Fluidmaster 400, the valve runs for 3-5 seconds and then shuts off. This will repeat about 15 - 20 minutes later. The valve operates correctly when flushing. I have never seen one of these valves do this. Any ideas???

[@dthomas2237]

That is called "Ghost Flushing". That is the intermittent refilling of the tank due to the water loss by the flapper or flush valve. That can also be caused if the refill hose is pushed too far down the overflow pipe which created a siphon. Please make sure the end of the refill hose is set higher than the water level in the tank at all times. If that is correct. Shut the water off to the toilet, mark the water level and wait 1-2 hours. If the water level drops, replace the flapper.

[@scottcarpenter3456]

American Standard 800 center directed me to this video, and it did not solve my problem. Very unhappy with brand new defective American Standard Cadet 3 toilet. Uninstalling and returning to Home Depot now.

[@BoogeyMan154]

I'm not sure if this is a similar issue but no water is coming from the refill tube or even the opening when I remove the tube so my tank won't fill. I tried doing this but still nothing comes out. It seems like small amounts of water are draining out of the top when the cap is on, but when I take the cap off the water jets out with a good amount of force. I'm not sure what the problem is, can anyone else tell me?

[@dthomas2237]

Hi! A no fill situation is usually caused by swelling in the fill valves main seal. This can be replaced and is sold online or at Home Depot. Search for Fluidmaster model 242. You can also replace the entire cap assembly, model 385 (includes the 242 seal).

[@pokerworld]

Tried this, did not work, nothing clogged. Still constantly runs and overflows into the overflow tube. Help anyone?

[@tomatojuice12]

I've come across a weird problem. The incoming water slowed to a trickle so I unscrewed the top of the Fluidmaster and checked for debris but there was none. After putting everything back together, and turning on the water, it fills perfectly. Then, after one flush, it stops working; the incoming water slows to a trickle again. Why is this?

[@abrahamalappat7897]

Add some plumbers grease or silicon grease to the main seal edges and pin hole and it will work like a charm. Or you can replace the seal available at home depot (Fluidmaster Replacement Toilet Fill Valve Seal for 400A Fill Valves -$2.88)

[@flrpower5628]

Great instructions but 30 sec flush is a little excessive.

[@--RSL--]

Or replace it, its cheap and simple.

[@Fanfaron2010]

This didn't seem to do much good... there was no obvious debris, and the toilet is still filling very, very slowly (at least 2-3 min.) and after a while it starts clicking really loudly. My other toilet seems to fill very quickly. Can't figure this one out.

[@dthomas2237]

Fanfaron2010 In a case of a slow filling fill valve. Debris can only cause this if a large piece gets caught in the inlet tube of the valve. If during the flushing procedure the water exiting the top of the valve is week, then you may still have blockage in the inlet tube of the fill valve, the supply line or the angle-stop valve at the wall. If the water pressure out the top of the valve is strong then the main seal, model 242, located in the cap assembly is swelling and restricting the flow. This can be replaced by Fluidmaster if the valve is still under warranty. Otherwise, Home Depot sells the 242 seal.

[@mrme947]

My issue was no water fill after flush. I watched and followed the video but no success., then I noticed some black discoloration on the refill tube that I removed. Once I flushed out that 5" plastic refill tube a bunch of gunk came out which was the root cause of the blockage of water preventing a refill of the tank. Watching your very well made video lead me to my issue. Thanks.

[@Jestermon1]

Very helpful, I hate this kit

[@subhashmalik8684]

i cannot see video

[@subhashmalik8684]

will you please guide me or send me another video how to clear debries from fill value

[@jagboy69]

These valves are JUNK. Mine lasted 3 months and now won't refill the tank without giving the float a nudge. Instead of 10bucks, I would gladly have paid a hundred for a valve that WORKS RIGHT FIRST TIME FOR 10 YEARS. We have sold our lives to the lowest bidder in China and I'm sick of it.

[@baobui7104]

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