How do I repair the thingy in the upper tank of a toilet that causes the water to refill?

Question

I'm talking about the mechanism that refills the tank after you flush, but then stops once the water reaches a certain level. It had been working fine, but now it will try and refill the tank non-stop. The buoy mechanism that should stop the water doesn't seem to be working.
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They must have shut the apartment water off today, since I had one of those air bubbles in the pipes that makes the water fire out erratically in a sudden burst. I suspect this may have damaged the piece.
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Is there any way I can fix that component without replacing it outright?

Hey - I think I fixed it!

I remember what I did last time when it did this, and just removed the tank cover, and HIT it really hard.

Answer 1

Is it black and grey? Yes. Turn off the water. Flush the pooter. Lift the float to the raised or off position. Turn 1/4 turn counter clockwise. Pull out the rubber gasket. Go to your local hardware store instead of Home Cheapo and buy a "Fluidmaster 242 seal"
Put it in pointed side first onto the stainless steel pin (where you removed the old one) Raise the float while you screw the cap on clockwise. Lift the float up and down to make sure the cap is on correct. Cost: $3.

Answer 2

Banging on the "thingy" tells me you need a new one. You haven't lived until you come home some day and see water all over the place and find that it is coming from under the lid of your commode. The "Thingy" broke and the force of the water hitting the lid trickles over the side of the tank and on the floor. Most goes into the overflow but enough escapes over the top to ruin your entire day, not to mention your floors and furniture. Replace it. They are very cheap and the instructions are very explicit and easy to install. I can install one in 5 minutes. Even if you're all thumbs you should be able to do it in 20-30 minutes. Most of your time will be reading the instructions. Good Luck.

Answer 3

i wouldnt recommend hitting any thing in a toilet hard... the only thing u can do is replace the fill vavle or ballcock. i would also replace the flapper.. this can cause a toilet to run all the time as well.. the bubble u get when u flush is caused by an object in the main sewer line that has caused a blockage

Answer 4

Just replace it. It's not expensive at all and much easier to do than you think. AND, you'll likely save water with a newer mechanism!

Answer 5

you can buy just the float but it cost just as much as the kit i would get the hole kit it is realy easy to put in i could talk you through it but it may be just stuck try sliding the float up and down

Answer 6

if u have a fluidmaster replace it if its a ballcock there is screw on top use a flat head screwdriver and adjust while the tank fills

Answer 7

Go to Home Depot and tell them