You’re definitely not missing anything obvious. Those “universal” kits are notorious for being a poor fit, especially in older properties. I’ve had to hunt down discontinued parts or even salvage mechanisms from other tanks just to get a reliable half flush. It’s frustrating, but your persistence is the right approach—most people just let it leak or give up entirely. Sometimes, matching the original design is the only way to get things working smoothly again. Don’t feel bad about it taking a few tries; these fixes rarely go by the book.
Honestly, I think you’re handling it better than most would. Universal kits are supposed to make life easier, but in reality they just don’t cut it for older setups. I’ve wasted money on two different “fits all” kits that ended up leaking or not flushing right—ended up tracking down an old part on eBay. It’s annoying, but sometimes spending a bit more up front to get the right part saves you headaches (and water bills) down the line. Don’t sweat the trial and error; it’s just part of keeping these old places running.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve had the opposite experience with universal kits—at least with the newer ones. Here’s my take:
- Sometimes the “old part” route is more hassle than it’s worth. I’ve spent hours hunting down discontinued bits, only to have them fail a year later.
- The newer universal kits (the ones with adjustable arms and seals) have worked out for me, even on a 70s-era cistern. Trick is, you gotta tweak them a bit—out of the box, they’re rarely perfect.
- I do a dry fit first, then check for leaks with food coloring in the tank. If it’s not sealing, usually a bit of plumber’s grease or swapping out the included gasket does the trick.
- Water pressure can mess with half flushes too. Sometimes it’s not the kit, but the fill valve or even the float height.
Not saying you’re wrong, just that sometimes a little patience with the “fits all” stuff pays off. Guess it depends on the toilet and how much you want to tinker.
Yeah, I’ve run into the same thing with half flushes not working right, especially after swapping in a universal kit. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- Sometimes the float height is just a hair off—makes a bigger difference than you’d think. I usually end up adjusting it a couple times before it’s dialed in.
- The seal on the flush valve can be finicky. If it’s not sitting perfectly, you’ll get weak or incomplete flushes.
- Water pressure’s a sneaky culprit too. In older houses, low pressure can really mess with dual-flush setups.
Honestly, I’ve had to mix and match parts from different kits before getting things just right. Not ideal, but it beats chasing down ancient OEM parts that might not last anyway.
Honestly, I’ve had to mix and match parts from different kits before getting things just right. Not ideal, but it beats chasing down ancient OEM parts that might not last anyway.
You’re definitely not alone there. Universal kits are supposed to make things easier, but in practice, it’s a lot of trial and error. I’ve spent more time tweaking float heights and fiddling with seals than I care to admit. It’s frustrating, but you’re right—tracking down old OEM stuff is usually a dead end or costs more than it’s worth. Just takes patience and a bit of stubbornness.
