How to Repair a Crane Toilet That Runs

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Crane has been manufacturing plumbing fixtures and accessories in the United States for more than 135 years. Their line of toilets are featured in both domestic and industrial settings. A running toilet, whether its Crane or any other brand, can waste a good deal of water. Repairing a Crane toilet that runs isn't as difficult as it sounds. The first thing to figure out is what is causing the toilet to run. The culprit can be one of two things: a bad flapper, or a malfunctioning fill valve.

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A running toilet can cost you money in higher water bills.

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Things You'll Need

  • Towels

  • New Flapper

  • New Fill Valve

  • Sponges

  • Plastic Or Wooden Rod

  • Silicone Grease

  • Wrench Or Pliers

Flapper Test

Step 1

Remove the top from the tank. Use a long wooden or plastic stick to press down on the flapper—the black rubber seal at the bottom of the tank. If the running noise stops, you know that the flapper is bad and needs to be replaced.

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Step 2

Turn off the water supply for the tank, usually located just beneath the toilet. Flush the tank and allow it to empty. You may have to do this two times.

Step 3

Disconnect the handle chain from the flapper by unhooking it. Remove the flapper from its setting by unsnapping it.

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Step 4

Apply a thin bead of silicone grease around the perimeter of the underside of the flapper to help it seal. Snap a new flapper into the flapper setting. Reconnect the handle chain.

Step 5

Turn the water supply back on. Allow the tank to fill. Flush and check for proper operation.

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Replace the Fill Valve

Step 1

Replace the fill valve. If the flapper is sound, then the problem is with your fill valve. This is the tower shaped object located to the side of the tank. This, as the name implies, fills your tank with water from your home's water supply and shuts it off when it reaches a predetermined water level.

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Step 2

Turn off the water supply behind the toilet by turning the knob clockwise. Empty the water out of the tank by flushing it. Wipe up any remaining water with a towel and sponge.

Step 3

Position yourself underneath the toilet. Unscrew the coupling from the water supply line from the base of the toilet. Use a pair of pliers or a wrench to remove the retaining nut at the bottom of the tank.

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Step 4

Unhook the overflow tube from the overflow pipe. This is the thin plastic tube that runs from the fill valve to the pipe in the center of the tank. Lift the fill valve and float assembly out of the toilet.

Step 5

Insert a new fill valve into the fill valve receptacle on the toilet. Ensure that the fill valve sits flush on the base of the tank. Tighten from beneath with the retaining nut.

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Step 6

Turn the water supply knob back on. Allow the tank to fill.

Step 7

Flush the toilet and check for proper operation.

Tip

When purchasing a new fill valve, get one that has an integrated float assembly. They are more reliable and less prone to breakage than the older float and lever models.

Warning

Do not bend the float rod when trying to adjust your tank water levels in a Crane toilet, as this could void the warranty.

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