Hi PLBG,

I have a Kohler toilet with a canister-style flush valve that was installed approximately 5 years ago. It has functioned normally until recently, when I noticed the water level in the bowl is lower than usual.
Here's what I've tried so far:

Fill valve maintenance: I removed the cap from the Fluidmaster fill valve and flushed it out with a cup placed over the top. This didn't affect the bowl water level.

Tank water level adjustment: The tank water level was slightly above the recommended mark, so I lowered it to align with the mark on the canister.

Rim port inspection: I checked the ports around the toilet rim for calcium buildup, and they appear to be clear.

Despite these efforts, the bowl water level remains low. I would appreciate any recommendations or solutions you might have for this issue.

Here is a video of the tank during a flush. [youtube.com]

Thanks, Ian

Video of the tank helps, but just as important is a video of the water in the bowl while tha tank is filling up.

George - here is the bowl.

[youtube.com]

The bowl refill rate seems to be very low. Pull the refill tube off the flush tower, there should be a healthy flow.

If you pour some water into the bowl, does the level stay high enough?

The water level is steady in the bowl. If I refill via the bidet, the bowl holds a steady water level.

Here is the fill hose in action.

[youtube.com]

Thanks George.

Ian

That is a healthy flow from the refill hose.

When you say water level in the bowl is steady, do you mean steady low? If you slowly add water to the bowl from a pan or a small bucket, the water level never rises above its low level?

If I add water, the water level in the bowl stays put.

I thought water might be siphoning out but that does not seem to be the case.

I also ran a toilet auger through just to make sure there was not an obstruction.

That is wierd. I don't have any explanation other than an internal crack in the toilet trap

Maybe Ill run a camera through and see if I can see any damage.

How would a crack in the toilet trap affect the bowl filling? I checked the ceiling underneath the toilet, I do not see any signs of leakage.

Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it!

Ian



Edited 1 times.

If I understand you correctly, no matter how much water you pour (slowly) into the bowl, the bowl water level always ends up at the same low level. If that is the case, all the work you did checking the tank water level etc, was not needed because the issue is not in the tank.

An internal crack in the bowl, could let water leak, not to the outside but internally. See my blue arrow in the diagram.Not that it is very likely but I am stumped.

When I add water to bowl via the bidet, the bowl water holds where it should be. The bowl does not seem to be losing water via a crack or siphon.

Ian

if you have good flow from the refill tube then the water is not getting to the bowl.
remove the canister tower to get a look further inside the pathway
pretty simple job'
[www.google.com]

also...
with the tower removed, you can push the refill tube back into place and turn the water on to make sure the water is passing thru.
also while you have the tower removed, might as well replace that seal. only cost a few bucks and are readily available.

Packy - I will take a look at look at the canister and let you know what I find.

Thanks,

Ian

I took the canister off and examined the seal and water flow. Take a look at the video and let me know what you think. Seems good to me. I also replaced the seal.

[youtube.com]

Ian

that all looks good to me.

i am stumped as to why the refill water does not get into the bowl ?????

I am also stumped - new toilet time?

one last try...

shut the inlet off.
empty as much ster as you can out of the tank and bowl
dump a whole gallon of white vinegar down the tower and leave it set overnight.
it seems wasteful to trash a perfectly fine flushing toilet of there is just some debris causing the problem you have..


good luck

Its worth a shot, I do have hard water - yeah the toilet is not that old I would hate to replace it.



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