Why won't this Cadet 3 flush properly? Not the tank, not obviously the bowl

[Gellfex]

I can't figure out why this toilet won't siphon from the tank, when it will siphon if you pour down a bucket. Seem unlikely there's a clog between tank and bowl, right? But given this is after evicting problem tenants who left it like this, anything is possible. It's not the cost of a new unit, I need to buy a new tank lid anyway, I just prefer to do without the hassle of replacing the whole thing. My back is not happy this week.

flushing:

https://imgur.com/tlFqGYa

Bucket pour and siphoning:

https://imgur.com/VCZRaLo

 

[Reach4]

Siphon jet or a path to it is probably partially blocked with minerals.

You might consider a new toilet. Depending on what your time is worth, that could be good. A decent 2-piece toilet can be bought for $200 or less, and then that needs to be swapped out. Replacing the supply line at the same time is often a good idea. And maybe the stop valve should be replaced.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Gellfex]

Siphon jet or a path to it is probably partially blocked with minerals.

You might consider a new toilet. Depending on what your time is worth, that could be good. A decent 2-piece toilet can be bought for $200 or less, and then that needs to be swapped out. Replacing the supply line at the same time is often a good idea. And maybe the stop valve should be replaced.

Thanks. I know the toilet is cheap, but like said, it's a hassle and my back is buggin me! I figured it was worth asking the brain trust here to see if there's something I'm missing. The upside would be I don't have to clean that mess!

 

[GReynolds929]

The siphon jet is clogged with pee crystals. You can clean it out or replace the toilet. I would replace. I know you don’t want to so take a screwdriver and clean out the hole.

 

[Gellfex]

The siphon jet is clogged with pee crystals. You can clean it out or replace the toilet. I would replace. I know you don’t want to so take a screwdriver and clean out the hole.

Why does this happen? I've maintained 14 of these Cadet 3's for decades and have never seen this.

 

[Reach4]

Why does this happen? I've maintained 14 of these Cadet 3's for decades and have never seen this.

Suppose your last several years of tenants using that toilet believed in "if its yellow, let it mellow".
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8371335fcf8fca6e&udm=2&=&q="if+its+yellow,+let+it+mellow"&sa=X&biw=1315&bih=658&dpr=2.4

I presume the other 13 toilets without the problem had similar water hardness, so the hardness difference would not be the thing to account for the difference. On the other hand, if the other 13 were in towns that use primarily river water, and the problem location got well water, then hardness could be the difference.

It is also possible that some others are experiencing some degree of impaired flushing.

It is also possible that a toy etc got put into the tank of the problem toilet, and happened to get routed to the siphon jet path.

Another cadet 3 may or may not have the same footprint.

 

[Peterson]

Take a small screw driver and stick it up into the siphon jet and scrape all the minerals out of the jet pathway. Once unblocked, it should siphon out when flushing. Then afterwards I would drain the bowl and scrub it out with a little muriatic acid and a scotchbrite pad to get all of the limescale and minerals out. Give it a few flushes and it should be good as new.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Pour a gallon of muratic acid down through the fill tube in the tank doen to the bowl

first bail out the bowl as best possible and cover the bowl with a garbage bag....

let the acid sit in the bowl overnight and it will clean out all the issues with the toiilet
then just flush it down the drain

 

[Reach4]

The fumes from muriatic are very strong. When I have used it, I not only keep an open window, I hold my breath, work quickly, close the bathroom door, and stay out for a considerable time.

That said, it is effective vs slower stuff. It does not discolor your toilet as sulfuric acid can.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

The fumes from muriatic are very strong. When I have used it, I not only keep an open window, I hold my breath, work quickly, close the bathroom door, and stay out for a considerable time.

That said, it is effective vs slower stuff. It does not discolor your toilet as sulfuric acid can.

Like I said, you throw a garbage bag over the toilet... I forgot to mention to turn on the fan or open the window... my bad

 

[Jeff H Young]

Coulda been someone took an "upper decker" looks possible anyway

 

[Jeff H Young]

Coulda been someone took an "upper decker" looks possible anyway