I have watched a few videos on this but haven’t been able to find one that looks like mine. I believe I have to remove the middle bit and clean/replace the rubber seal. The inside of my toilet looks like this
That looks like an older style Caroma Uniset bridge setup. The middle mechanism can be taken out to replace the seal at the bottom. Depending on what type you have exactly, there are two ways to go about it. First one, you can gently pull the yellow bridge that is clipped into the slots at the front and back of the cistern upwards to remove the entire flush/outlet valve cylinder. The rubber seal will be in the bottom of the cylinder which is either black or red in colour. You can remove that and place a new seal into the grove and then place the mechanism back into its original slot.
Second option: gently pull the yellow bridge that is clipped into the slot at the front and back of the cistern upwards and out of the cistern. Underneath will be the central outlet valve. Gently grab the central cylinder around the bottom and twist it counter-clockwise 1/4 turn, you should feel it unlock and then you can pull that part up out of the cistern. There should be a rubber seal at the bottom end of that cylinder (usually black or red). Replace the seal and reassemble in reverse order. If you haven't purchased a new seal already, Bunnings will have them and I do recommend getting one that is the same size/fit.
Take photos while you dissemble all parts and how the rubber washer sits so that you can put it back together without having "spare parts" haha. If you want to, you can Google 90s style Caroma Uniset toilet cistern seal replacement and there may be more in-depth instructions.
Hello @Cjay-Renos
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with the Caroma cistern. Let me tag @jane725 to make them aware of your recommendations.
We look forward to seeing your projects both in your home and garden. Please don't hesitate to post a question if you need a hand or would like to share a project with the community.
Eric
Hello @jane725
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your cistern.
Please note that any plumbing work needs to be carried out by a licensed professional for safety and compliance.
One quick test you can try out is to turn your cistern tap off. Allow the cistern to fill up with water and once full turn the cistern tap off. With the cistern tap off you can listen to the cistern and see if water is dripping or leaking into the pan. If water continues to leak into the pan with the cistern tap off, you can conclude that the seating washer is faulty.
The other test you can try is to observe your inlet valve. With the cistern tap left on, look and listen closely if it shuts off. If water continues to flow inside the cistern despite it being full, odds are the inlet valve seal has probably given way. These basic trouble shooting steps will allow you to narrow down the possible cause of the leak.
Please note that any changes or rearrangement of pipework is considered regulated plumbing. It will need to be carried out by a licensed plumber. I recommend engaging the services a plumber to repair your cistern.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
hi Eric and Cjrenos,
Thanks so much for your advice- I will give it a go.
