Kohler Rialto K-3402 toilet fill valve repair

[jerry k]

Jadnashua--
Thanks for your reply--unforunately they were cut around the bowl. Any other input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jerry K

[deana]

Sorry for not checking back sooner, hj - sorry. Life continues on much the same way: Every few months, the toilet starts hissing and I can see the water in the bowl has tiny waves. I put a little vaseline on the flapper and it is quiet as a mouse for another few months. The same thing happened with a new flapper as with the old one. It would seem to me that this means that the surface where the flapper seals must be uneven. Fortunately, and coincidentally, a Kohler rep told me that my circular overflow valve is too narrow and they now have a rectangular repalcement "flush valve kit" that is free from them. So, I am planning on replacing that and hoping that will fix the problem for a long time.

I am a little confused about the rim wash issue as someone (below) suggests that a different type of value works fine KWsundell below likes Fluidmaster 400A Fill Valve. You seem to think the 1b1x is the only appropriate repalcement if you want the rim wash. Is that true?

My conclusion is that, whenever water somehow leaks, it is possible that, if you have modified the rim wash from the original using the 1b1x tube, you will get very noisy siphoning action back and forth leading you to believe that the problem is somewhere else than where the flapper seals. Also, this 1B1X valve seems to have a propensity to spray in random directions and, given the holes Kohler puts in the back of the tank (to hang them to dry after painting, I've been told), this is an accident waiting to happen. I covered those holes on the outside with duct tape and that seems to work.

I have two more toilets just like this but they work fine, even though the fill valve sprays in random directions on those too, but with the duct tape, it is not an issue.

Comments solicited. Thanks all.

[sam02135]

I purchased two Rialto for my rental units. Had an issue with one where the fill valve would not stop and the suggestion from Kohler was to use vasaline, clean the valve etc. Crap (no pun intended)! Kholer is pissing (no pun intended again) me off with their answers: you have to buy a fill valve from us for the Rialto, etc.. BS! The fluidmaster replacement ($10) works perfect! It doesn't cost me $90 for the part which would be 1/3 the cost of the toilet. Kholer acts as if they're Apple Computers.. buy the part from us that you have to.

As for the flush valve, well . the problem is that these toilets 2005 never flushed that well because it's a rim flushing bowl mechanism. I'm trying to get more water in the tank on the Rialto to get a better flush but their flush valve is unique. Any suggestions for replacement flush valve?

[donnjen]

Partly because of the color, partly because I like to try to DIM, and in order to try to keep it from the landfill, I've been trying to get our Rialto 3402 to work again. Before coming upon your excellent website, I bought and installed, unfortunately, the conversion kit from Kohler (I'd replaced the fill tube with a Fluidmaster years ago without realizing it had no outlet for the rim holes). On flushing, nothing came out the rim holes (I've cleared them out with a paperclip and vinegar and a few do let water out when I pour it through the plastic tubing). I've replaced the water supply from underneath the tank to the wall as well. In the process of checking the tank, the "fill valve diverter/fill valve float" (the black attachment that the rim fill tubing attaches to) snapped off (with hardly a touch!). I"m out $120+ - should I see if Kohler will return my $$$? I see the fill valve diverter is available for under $10 elsewhere so if they don't at least replace that piece I could try taht option. On the other hand, am I throwing good money after bad to keep trying? Since I moved the toilet to a different bathroom than where it was first installed, it only fits up against the back wall. Will that be a problem with the infamous 4 holes on the back of the tank?

Thanks for any help you can offer on these numerous questions.

[KenS999]

I replaced the original fill valve in a Kohler Rialto 3402 with a 7 dollar Fluidmaster 400A from Walmart. A suprisingly easy job, as I am definitely not a plumber. I simply trimmed a few inches off the supplied thin black overflow hose and tucked it inside the original large diameter hose that supplies the rim rinse for the bowl. The new flush valve works just fine, and turned out to be an inexpensive and easy repair.

Thanks,
Ken

[DurtyHairy]

I just replaced a coast 1b1x with the Plumb Pak PB830-13L Item #246711 from Lowes marked as a Coast ballcock 1B1X replacement that is identical to the one pictured in post 45. It was an easy fit and came with the rim supply hose that fit a nipple in the bowl inlet to the rim flush. It works fine. This tank may not even be a Kohler though it looks like one but has no lettering behind the seat and no numbers in the tank. The original slow fill and flushing problems also went away when I opened the angle stop which had probably been half closed to deal with the hissing.

[CoastProductsUSA]

Purchase direct from Coast Products USA, formerly Coast Foundry and Mfg. We have over 112 variations in Flush and Fill Valves, and can build basically anything you like!
Also ask about our Plumber Direct Pricing, for Industry Professionals.

http://www.coastproductsonline.com

[Asiangem]

Hi folks,
I have a Kohler Rialto K-3402 PB from the early 1980s and had a plumber in and was told parts are no longer available to completely rebuild of the unit. Does anyone know if this is correct ? If not, can you advise on what parts are needed and where they can be purchased.

Jerry K

I have four Kohler Rialto K-3402 PB which were purchased in 1983 for a rental duplex unit. The fill valve was replaced with a Fluidmaster 400 series and works fine on all four Rialtos. I have a round, black flush valve (sorry I can't see the manufacturer name on it) which has a Korky Flapper No 58BP. These are working perfectly fine, with no leaks, no sounds or hisses even with the fact that tenants use them.

[Asiangem]

pwjone1 (Paul Jones) - WOW...thank you for the summary of this thread for the Kohler Rialto Model K3402 - see pwjone1 (Paul Jones) summary of all the suggested parts to use for the K3402 -- took some time to put together since there has been so much written.

[wlfhnd66]

I want to thank Ken and other members of this forum for pointing the way. I have a sky blue Kohler Rialto 3402 that was installed in 1987. I had many years of trouble free use but like all things the inside of the tank wore out. I was looking to replace the fill valve that would not stop. I looked for a replacement but I was a little shocked at the price for this item and I was not willing to pay $90 something for it. After I read some of these posts, I bought the Fluidmaster 400A from Walmart for less than $7 and a Fluidmaster universal flapper for $5 to replace the original that had just about disintegrated. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the Fluidmaster 400A is to install. I just made sure that I read the instructions and understood what had to be done. The only problem now is that the fill valve goes off occasionally for a few seconds but Fluidmaster says that I should make sure the flapper seals drainage opening of the flush valve. I am working on that.

Gregg

[Terry]

If the Fluidmaster refill tube is pointing too far down the overflow tube, it will siphon water from the tank, causing constant refills.