Champion Accelerator Flush Valve

**RBrown** · 09-11-2007, 05:03 PM

My sister's Champion toilet is having a flushing problem. American Standard sent her parts including a replacement for the "flush tower". It's call the Accelerator Flush Valve, and I hope it cures her problem. The new valve is similar to a flapper, except that it pulls straight up instead of being hinged. They also sent her a new tank gasket and a special plastic wrench.

The AS website now touts the Accelerator Flush Valve, and the old flush tower is gone.

**Dunbar Plumbing** · 09-11-2007, 06:15 PM

Yes........and the trip lever doesn't work quite right unless the tank lid is pulled a little forward to where it lodges in a normal position.

I switched one out about a week ago

It's very hard to flush.....takes some strength to push that trip lever down. The second picture denotes that trip lever hanging almost
vertical when the tank lid is off.

Now there's almost 4" of unused water in the bottom of that tank as well.

**tonykarns** · 09-11-2007, 07:34 PM

To be honest with you thats about the worst design ive come across in a toilet! I just modified one about 3 months ago. I would at the least replace the bent up trip lever with a new one, attatch a second one with a degreed bend on it by using #10 ss small bolts so it extends over the release.
This will at least make it easier to flush.

**RBrown** · 09-11-2007, 07:37 PM

When you finished changing it out, did it flush ok? Does the trip lever point up all the time? I hope it doesn't, sis won't be too happy.

**Dunbar Plumbing** · 09-11-2007, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by RBrown

When you finished changing it out, did it flush ok? Does the trip lever point up all the time? I hope it doesn't, sis won't be too happy.

Yes........flushes okay but it's very hard to push that trip lever down to flush.

The trip lever sits in a "normal" position when the tank lid is on...not off.

I told the customer that if they have to have a plumber work on that toilet again......replace it completely and get away from that flawed design.

**Dunbar Plumbing** · 09-11-2007, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by tonykarns

To be honest with you thats about the worst design ive come across in a toilet! I just modified one about 3 months ago. I would at the least replace the bent up trip lever with a new one, attatch a second one with a degreed bend on it by using #10 ss small bolts so it extends over the release.
This will at least make it easier to flush.

It seemed to me that it was the actual flush valve that was making it hard to flush....not the setup of the trip lever.

I checked this by manually pulling the flush valve assembly up by hand.

Lots of water/head holding that assembly down flat. I personally do not like the design at all.

**RBrown** · 09-13-2007, 09:14 PM

Rugged,

Sis got her toilet fixed today. Her plumber installed the AS Accelerator flush valve and it works fine. It's not too hard to push the trip lever, just a bit firmer than the AS Flush Tower. With the tank lid off, the trip lever is in its normal horizontal position, and the installation is neat as a pin. Her installation looks much neater than the pics you posted showing the arm all bent. She is a very happy girl.

**micp879** · 09-13-2007, 09:55 PM

Thanks for posting the results. I will be replacing the flush tower on my parents Champion toilet with the new accelerator valve in the near future, and I was getting a bit concerned, based on the posts in this thread. I was going to comment that in the above picture, the trip lever and trip lever arm look nothing like the trip lever in my parents Champion. The lever in theirs is longer and appears like it should be a much better match. It makes me wonder if a different trip lever would maybe benefit the toilet in the picture.

**Dunbar Plumbing** · 09-14-2007, 05:44 AM

As I mentioned, that trip lever doesn't sit like that between flushes; it sits in a normal position due to the fact that the tank lid is holding it where a normal setting would be.

There's a new trip lever ordered coming from A/S along with the fill valve they seemingly forgot to ship

but I'm pretty sure that the homeowner won't put either on.......he'll most likely keep the items until either one fails. He won't be calling me back either to make a repair that's not malfunctioning either.

**steve_m_d** · 07-28-2008, 07:45 PM

I had a problem getting the tower flush valve to flush. I had to hold the lever in just the right position to get it to flush before the valve dropped back down. So, I just replaced the tower with the newer designed Accelerator, and it is worse! I have to hold the lever down until it flushes, or else it won't flush. Is there some kind of adjustment? What is the mechanism which should hold the "flapper" up until there is a flush?

I am thinking of cutting my losses and getting a whole new toilet.

**Redwood** · 07-28-2008, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by steve_m_d

I am thinking of cutting my losses and getting a whole new toilet.

Steve I would consider that to be a very wise choice... They are now having problems with blisters forming on the replacement flappers as well. You can read about it in the Champion thread 250 plus posts from happy owners... Yea that'll be the day!

May I suggest a Toto?

**steve_m_d** · 07-28-2008, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the recommendation. I looked at Eljer and Kohler at Lowes and Home Depot, but they don't seem to be getting very good user reviews.

**Redwood** · 07-28-2008, 11:24 PM

Those stores tend to sell a lot of junk!

Before you buy anything I'd suggest that you have a look at this link...
http://www.terrylove.com/crtoilet.htm

Here is a link to find a Toto dealer near you!
http://www.totousa.com/dealerlocator.asp

**maddog** · 07-29-2008, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by steve_m_d

I had a problem getting the tower flush valve to flush. I had to hold the lever in just the right position to get it to flush before the valve dropped back down. So, I just replaced the tower with the newer designed Accelerator, and it is worse! I have to hold the lever down until it flushes, or else it won't flush. Is there some kind of adjustment? What is the mechanism which should hold the "flapper" up until there is a flush?

I am thinking of cutting my losses and getting a whole new toilet.

Steve. I also put in the new Champion flush valve and have not had any problems. It's not hard to flush and it actually flushes great. Note that the flush arm is pretty much straight over the flush valve and that there is just a little bit of slack in the chain. Also, I set the water height to about a half inch below the top of the refill tube. Good luck. -dog.

**steve_m_d** · 08-03-2008, 08:23 PM

Thanks, Maddog.

Maybe the flush valve wasn't my real problem. I went ahead and replaced the toilet with the Toto Drake. The new toilet flushes, but doesn't seem to have any power. Anyone know if there is some sort of adjustment I can try? The tank seems to be filling fine.