How to fix Villeroy & Boch Subway dual flush cistern that keeps running?

I examined our unit today which was continually letting a small amount of water run into the pan.
Examination of the sealing washer revealed a rather large bubble, probably 5mm in diameter which I popped with a sharp object.
Problem solved and all done inside of 5 minutes.

Thanks to the original and subsequent posters for this fix. Brilliant.

Roger
February 2017

Yes, thank you so much for this forum! Our 4 year old V&B was constantly leaking in the bowl and refilling the cistern every 5 mins. This was what I did:
1. skipped the checking the flush valve for bubbles & decided to just buy a new one as popping them is only a temporary solution as the valve is faulty and problem should be permanetly fixed when buying a new one
2. emailed GEBERIT who were unhelpful in their response (so skip this bit)
3. Headed straight to Chesters (NZ) for the part called a flush valve (they said it was a common problem) cost $8 NZ. They will show you how to take off the control unit if you ask nicely
4. Turned off water valve located under cistern lid and flushed toilet so water drained
5. Wiggled and pulled at side clips on control unit (its the biggest part in the cistern). Pulled off old valve (just a fancy word for round silicone rubber ring) and put on the new ring (it sits there with no adhesive needed). Pushed the control unit back in & turned the water tap on and replaced the cistern lid
6. Took all of 5 mins work and my toilet is working perfectly again (Oh, Im a mum not a plumber!)
7. Checked old valve and yes 3 big bubbles
8. Checked toilet there's no refilling sound and no leaking into the bowl... easy and saves over $120 for a callout
Good luck!

J
September 2015

Thank you! After a paying a plumber to fix a leak only two years ago, I was reluctant to invest much more in our European toilet. Luckily I found this site while searching for replacement parts. Sure enough, bubbles... a few pin pricks later... happy!

Kate NZ
August 2015

Seriously didn't believe this "blister" theory until looking and sure enough, 3-4 blisters!!! Popped and now seal is sealing again as it should! Thanks website and people.

Tom from NZ
April 2015

After visit to showroom (no idea try villaroy &boch direct) watched two y tubes, phoned local stockist to purchase new flushing parts (waiting for return call) found this site followed instructions remember to turn off water supply valve. Lifted out flushing part and there small bubbles in grey sealing ring took seconds to prick and reassemble job done in 5 minutes sat last night in peace after weeks of the repeated sound of water filling. Thanks to all next problem we have start at this web site and forget the normal approach .

Rob manchester
November 2014

the bubbles need tp be popped to stop the toilet running.

Margaret Chambers
February 2014

Thanks Andrew et al - this seems to be a running problem (ho ho). Did as you suggested - inlet valve looked ok, but there were several small water blisters on the bottom washer which when popped with a pin seem to have fixed the problem. 5 minutes work - may ££s saved. The power of the internet.

Richard
January 2014

Than you so much for this Andrew, RET & Joolz! I had just put a replacement flushing unit for my V&B in my shopping basket and before checking out had a last look on the internet for help and saw this. Sure enough there was a large blister in the washer which I burst with a pin. Saved me £42!

Kim
November 2013

Thanks for posting! I had contacted V&B as I could not work out how to lift the flush mechanism out. No answer from them but here I find it's just 2 clips to push in. Lifts out easily and yes there were bubbles! All popped now and at last a quiet loo. Thank you :)

Karen
September 2013

Hi I've had the usual issues with the V&B toilet, blisters, faulty diaphragms. The toiet no longer cycles though I notice a small run of water.

Current issue is on flushing the toilet 9 out of 10 times it won't stop flushing. It empties and then will continuously fill unless you go in and give the flush button a short quick push.

The full/half flush doesn't seem to work well either?

I had thought that the inlet valve was 'catching' on something but cant see what that could be.
This is a new column? Thoughts?

Michel
May 2013

Bubbly washer
Stuck you with a pin
Leak no more

http://www.chicagofaucetshoppe.com/ to order a new one for $1.40

haikuplumber
December 2012

I found this page a godsend! Many thanks to all who contributed.

Terry
December 2012

Just wanted to thank the contributors to this page for the blistered washer fix. This was exactly the problem I was having and the answer as described. Thank you all again.

Mike Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia.
August 2012

Thank you very much for your help, I just solved the leaking problem following Andrew's instructions to removing a small air bubble in the washer, now the cistern works great!

Peri from Cádiz, Spain.
July 2012

This link works now for instruction on how to remove valve (it's just a matter of squeezing the clips near the bottom of the valve together, then pulling up)

http://www.geberit.com.au/web/appl/au/wcmsau.nsf/files/usr-pdf-Geberit_Outlet%20Valves.pdf/$file/Geberit_Outlet%20Valves.pdf

Easy fix, worked great - thanks everyone.

paul nz
April 2012

I had the same problem with a Geberit Fors valve - couldn't fathom out how to remove the valve and unfortunately Joolz link didn't work.

I found this link really useful http://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/creative/brochures/205906/brochure_print.pdf

All I had was a bit of grit in the valve. The overflow was enough to empty my cistern in the loft, so no shower until it got filled up. So much Fun on a Sunday morning

Scary
February 2012

More of a thank you this! I had the Geberit 'blistered washer' problem, and solved it, at zero cost, despite very poor accessibility, thanks to a combination of this blog and diynot.com. Isn't the internet wonderful!!!
Many thanks to the contributors on this topic, and all others of course. I'll try and share my own knowledge, such as it is, from now on.

John Storey
February 2012

Same annoying problem with the constant cycling of the toilet. Took it apart as described by Joolz and the light grey rubber washer was covered in blisters. Spent about 15 mins bursting them with a pin and put it back together, seems to be ok so far. Will phone Gebrit on 01926 516807 and see if I can order up a new 816.418 washer. Many thanks to all on this forum.

Iain
November 2011

Good brands such as V&B reputation are being ruined due to a faulty seal by Geberit 816.418 in the flush unit. This simple grey wide flat washer develops surface bubbles over a very short time such that Geberit now supply a clear replacement. The internet is littered with complaints. Problem is that agents worldwide are usually refusing to replace under warranty claiming seals and O rings only have 12 months warranty (despite local laws to the contrary) and worse are charging obscene prices for a replacement. Geberit need to give their distributors a kicking as the brand reputation is suffering all for a 5c washer.

Unhappy downunder
August 2011

just done what you said and saved £56 for spare part plus plumbers fees. good clear instructions easy to follow. great. thanks

happy
June 2011

Same issue. I am renting and the V&B toilet would continuously dribble into the bowl on the backside wall. The toilet would cycle loudly at night and wake me up!

I followed the PDF disassembly (Twico II diagram) from this forum posted by joolz: a few counterclockwise turns on the button ring, the buttons, ring, & stem unit lift right out, lifted off cistern lid. Turned off water valve, moved flexible black tube out of the way, and pushed two plastic arrows inward slightly and lifted flush unit straight out. Underneath was flexible rubber, gray, ring gasket with about 3 tiny bubbles and one medium sized bubble at the edge. Took a stick pin like RET (NZ) and burst those bubbles --- Voila! Toilet has stopped dribbling and is no longer cycling on and off all day and night! If I can fix this, anyone can. Thank you so much!

Sarah
January 2010

Had the same problem, the washer was covered in water blisters. Link from Joolz was excellent, forums can be a great help the toilet was sorted in 5 mins after 2 years of annoying refilling!

ttam
December 2009

RET ( NZ ), thanks! I also burst the bubbles on the Geberit washer at the end of the plunger, with a razor blade, and it seems to be working. And thanks Andrew for explaining about the washer and how to remove the column.

Andrew in Hollywood, FL

Andrew
October 2009

That fixed it for us. Less than five years after fitting, a trickle of water was constantly leaking into the toilet bowl with the cistern periodically refilling itself.

V&B use Geberit valves. I found a dissassmbly plan at http://www.geberit.com.au/web/appl/au/wcmsau.nsf/files/usr-pdf-OutletValves.pdf/$file/OutletValves.pdf.

I cleaned everything as per Andrews advice, but I was sure it wasn't the inlet valve (the cistern wasn't overflowing) and the rubber washer at the bottom of the column looked OK as well. Closer inspection however revealed tiny water blisters on the washer. Popping those, as suggested by RET did the trick.

Thanks for all your advice!

joolz
May 2009

I had the same problem. Used Andrew's fix - I removed the plunger washer and cleaned, then removed a small air bubble within the washer itself ( burst it with a pin !) fixed the problem. An easy operation clearly explained by Andrew. Many thanks

RET ( NZ )
December 2008

I've had a persistent problem with that for some years, so it may be something V&B loos are prone to. I'm also searching for my second replacement of the flush mechanism which is how I came across your question!

Jill, Ealing, London
March 2008

There are two things, It could be some inlet water debris clogging the diaphram. Carefully unscrew the large hand tighten nut and separate the delicate diaphram - clean and put back

Or it could be that the plunger washer at the base of the cistern is not sealing properly due to either hard water or a faulty column. Remove the whole column by pressing the side paddles 3/4 way down. release cistern column - remove grey rubber washer and clean. Replace washer & click column back into place.

If you need spare parts they are available here. http://bathroomstudio.co.uk

Good luck

Andrew
February 2008