American Standard Champion toilet Review and comments. Rated #1 by Consumer Reports

[Andrew21]

I have a question about changing out the flush valve. Do I need to take the entire toilet out (I know to take the tank off) from the floor to do this? I hope not.

[Mikey]

Looks like you only need to take the tank off.

[Andrew21]

Thank you!

[wburkett]

Thanks to everyone who’s contributed to this thread over the years. It was a lot of help during our latest round of trouble with our Champion toilets.

Ours were installed in late 2005 (I think), during construction of our house. In that time we’ve gone through quite a few of the original-style flush towers, with those blue valves or whatever they are being installed about a year ago. One of them began leaking a few weeks ago and that’s when I found this thread and learned American Standard had yet another fix.

I called them and ordered the newest fix kit. The operator said they were backordered and it would take two to three weeks, but mine arrived in about a week. They sent three fix kits even though I have only two toilets. It kind of makes me wonder how much faith they have in these things. The kit consists of a new seal for the bottom of what they call the “poppett” and a new o-ring for where the chain connects. I’ll be happy to scan and post the instructions if that’ll be helpful to anyone.

I made the repair a week ago. It was very easy and I am not a handy person at all. I didn’t detect any bubbles in the old seal, although there did seem to be some minimal hard-water deposits on it. Otherwise, the new one seemed identical to the old.

So far, so good. The tank is holding water. We’ll see how it’s faring in a year, which seems to be the life of these things.

[Reader Review]

I have been struggling with my Champion toilet for 3 years. After reading the possibility of replacing the flush tower with a Eljer Titan flush valve, I ordered one from Locke Plumbing which cost about $24 and change with the shipping. I installed the Titan flush valve keeping it centered and I used the old flush tower sealing gasket. It is wide enough to accept the smaller valve. I haven't had any leakage and get a good flush every time. Not quite as powerful, however, the flush is more than adequate.
I replaced the fill valve as it was sticking on the very small bumps on the stem the float rides on as it comes up to shut off the water flow. I replaced it with the plastic after market quiet valve from Home Depot. The after market valve has a safety device to prevent it from refilling if the flush vale leaks. I used the fill line for the bowl from the American Standard fill valve. It fit perfectly into the Titan flush valve.
I now love my Champion toilet, no clogging and no leaks.
I made the repairs for approximately $35 which is more cost effective than a new toilet.
Do it, it works.

P. Pollot
Rochester NY

[Reader Review]

I would like to post my experience with 3 Champion toilets and one Antiquity all by American Standard. They are only 2 years old and there are only 2 of us in the home.

The 3 champions send water upwards when flushed--wonderful--and depending on what is in the bowl it is disgusting! You have this on your butt or on the floor. Then you have to get out the mop and disinfectant to clean up after each use. American Standard is the S__TS! That should be their logo. I have had 3 plumbers look at these toilets and no one has an answer!! One of the toilets has the clunk that everyone else is talking about.

Then the Antiquity, it is the worst of the bunch--another AS product. I am ready to replace with Toto! I can't believe this CRAP---literally!

American Standard should be ashamed. And the topper is, even before my toilets were installed, there was a recall. Just because I didn't know about it and then called about the clunk and water washing your ass, they told me and guess what???? I had to pay $90 to have their recalled piece installed.

I even contacted the AS rep in this area and he was absolutely no help and told me to call customer service! Yeah, right--like I really am going to get any service from them. American Standard should have to refund all my money for products, plumbers and pay for 4 ToTo's for my home!!!

What a sham!!!

Nancy Taylor
La Center Wa

[master plumber mark]

That's a fair statement.
I sell the Dalton round front with high bowl for $185
I had one installed in the home for a while.
It worked well.

I have stumbled on a champion bone toilet today and I am wondering if they have ever resolved their flush assembly mess ....

the repair replace ment parts are available for about 50 bucks but I dread getting involved in this mess if they are not reliable....

I would rather just change the tolet out with a gerber rather than make 5 trips out there on bad parts I installed..

have you heard anything about the reapir parts???




fear and dread in indy

[Terry]

the repair replace ment parts are available for about 50 bucks but I dread getting involved in this mess if they are not reliable....

The word I'm getting is that the replacements are lasting about a year.

[master plumber mark]

The word I'm getting is that the replacements are lasting about a year.

that makes me feel better about changeing out the junk.....

[elgato]

So what are the known issues with the latest revision of the Champion 4? The HD guy said that they had nothing but problems with the older ones. However, he recommended Kohler which seems to be far worse.

[Terry]

The Flush Tower that the seal goes on is defective too.
American Standard has been replacing the entire flush valve, as they have realized that they are junk, and the class action suit has brought attention to that fact.
You can keep popping seals in, but if you have the Champion flush tower, rather than repair it, call American Standard and have them send a replacement flush tower.
They will know all about it.
Terry

Not sure if you all were already aware of this, but FYI - Korky offers a replacement Champion rubber seal ring, part number 428BP. Lowes has it.

http://korky.com/Flapper428BP.html

[maddog]

The red seal is for the original Champion (white) flush tower. The seal for the new Champion 4 flush valve is blue. I had to call up for a new blue seal after about a year as it did blister and started to leak. I haven't seen these new blue seals at HD and Lowes yet, and a local plumbing supply house did not have them either. You can buy them here if you don't want to wait for AS to send you one under warantee.

http://www.lockeplumbing.com/detail....GRU-595916&r3=

[merillon]

I bought a newly-contructed condo 2.5 years ago, and it came with an American Standard toilet installed. I've had the flush valve break on me twice already, and I'm at a point where I simply want to replace it with something new. As far as I can tell, I think it is a Champion 4, but I am not very experienced with toilets, and I'm having difficulty verifying this. Here is a photo:

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/images/attach/jpg.gif

I was hoping to confirm that this is the Champion 4, and also find out what I should buy to replace it? As far as I can tell, it seems that American Standard has released an upgraded version. My building has a new super, and he told me he could get me a new valve for $150, which seems beyond absurd and a complete ripoff. If anyone has some insight based on this photo, I would really appreciate it.

[Terry]

That is the original Champion.

Call American Standard and they will send you new parts to convert it to a Champion 4

[merillon]

Thanks a lot, Terry! I just spoke to American Standard and they are sending me the new flush valve.