I doubt this site is the proper place for this posting, but I hoped someone could direct me to an appropriate site. When I hear back, I will either go to the site, or if someone here can help me, I will post details including photos. As always thanks very much!
Bizarre American Standard push-button toilet from '70s.
- Thread starter frank1492
- Start date
Help Support :
What do you need to know about said fixture? Is it malfunctioning?
I'm glad you are willing to tackle this. An elderly woman has been flushing this thing with a pail for some time. Over the phone I told her I could surely fix it, but when I saw it I was surprised to say the least! My initial research shows this toilet is a '70s AS toilet called the Vent-away lowboy. This is a lav without a window and the idea was to vent the poop fumes. (I haven't figured out where the vent is.) The tank is full of odd parts relating to the venting I assume. There is a large push button on the side. When pushed, the toilet flushes, then when pulled back the venting occurs. One source tells me that owners almost never use the vent feature, probably because they don't know it exists or don't want to bother. I would assume the production run was short. I am told most plumbers won't work on them but almost always replace the toilet.
I would like to help this person and have been considering alternatives. Repair has been pretty much ruled out because a leaking intake valve is the issue and a replacement costs over $200. Even if the price were reasonable I would fear something else would fail soon. The next alternative would be to replace, still being considered. The last, which I tend to favor, would be to pull the guts out and replace with conventional Fluid Master parts. Reportedly this has been done and seems quite easy. The only glitches would be an additional tank hole that would need to be plugged and adapting the push-button feature to work with a new intake valve, seemingly the most troubling glitch.
I have attached photos. I am really looking for someone who could answer questions should I choose the guts-replacenent alternative. I do plan to examine the guts much more carefully before committing to this choice.
You guys seem to have extraordinary knowledge of large appliances and I was hoping that would extend to toilets. Comments appreciated.
Kindly ignore the first photo. I didn't know how to delete it.
I would like to help this person and have been considering alternatives. Repair has been pretty much ruled out because a leaking intake valve is the issue and a replacement costs over $200. Even if the price were reasonable I would fear something else would fail soon. The next alternative would be to replace, still being considered. The last, which I tend to favor, would be to pull the guts out and replace with conventional Fluid Master parts. Reportedly this has been done and seems quite easy. The only glitches would be an additional tank hole that would need to be plugged and adapting the push-button feature to work with a new intake valve, seemingly the most troubling glitch.
I have attached photos. I am really looking for someone who could answer questions should I choose the guts-replacenent alternative. I do plan to examine the guts much more carefully before committing to this choice.
You guys seem to have extraordinary knowledge of large appliances and I was hoping that would extend to toilets. Comments appreciated.
Kindly ignore the first photo. I didn't know how to delete it.
Vent away
Found this on the web ...
Harry
Found this on the web ...
Harry
American Standard Vent Away Toilet - Parts for Ventaway Toilet - Repair Vent Away Toilet - asktooltalk.com
Learn where to find parts for an American Standard Vent-Away Luxor model toilet. Parts for a Ventaway toilet are available online.
www.asktooltalk.com
The fumes are pulled down the drain, I think is how it was explained to me.
"Fumes" are vented down the drain...
Sounds like a plus!
I'd definitely try to fix it before getting a new commode.
OTOH, it may be that new lo-flo toilets are more water efficient.
Still, an interesting device.
Sounds like a plus!
I'd definitely try to fix it before getting a new commode.
OTOH, it may be that new lo-flo toilets are more water efficient.
Still, an interesting device.
I knew someone in El Cerrito who had Vent-Away toilets. I think they remodeled their bathrooms and kitchens in the mid-'70s. They had the first GE side-by-side refrigerator with ice (crushed or cubed) dispenser on the front, and for me, that was love at first sight.
The toilets were just a dream for me back then. That's because 1) I didn't own a house, 2) I knew they had to be expensive, and 3) I figured they'd be troublesome. I think #3 is the reason they didn't catch on, but if they were making them still today in ADA height models (presuming they'd worked out the trouble spots), I'd have considered them for our current home, which had low, round bowl Totos that had to go, so to speak.
The toilets were just a dream for me back then. That's because 1) I didn't own a house, 2) I knew they had to be expensive, and 3) I figured they'd be troublesome. I think #3 is the reason they didn't catch on, but if they were making them still today in ADA height models (presuming they'd worked out the trouble spots), I'd have considered them for our current home, which had low, round bowl Totos that had to go, so to speak.
Thank you all for your information and comments. I have been able to determine it is a Luxor model 2002 or 2003. If it is a vent-away or a non-ventaway (they were both with identical outside appearance) it turns out makes no difference as the leak is around the fill plunger common to all. plumbingsupply.com has these readily available in either plastic or brass. Before ordering, I plan to remove the plunger and look for debris at the seat. This woman has had a problem with very dirty water coming from her artesian well. I changed the filter yesterday but the old one was so dirty that she reported black silt residue at the bottom of glasses of water. A good cleaning may be all that is necessary but now I have a backup. So it looks like all my talk about guts replacement or new toilets may at this time be unnecessary. I will report back with results. Again thanks so much to all of you.
PS Question: You are all I'm sure familiar with Moen cartridges. I used to replace the metal variety quite often, but have found the plastic ones last longer. Would this apply to the fill plungers? The parts site has both with plastic costing more. I'd like to know if you think plastic is better in this case. Cheers!
I'm not understanding the term "fill plunger." Do you mean the ball (or flapper) that opens and closes the flush valve, or is it something related to the fill valve (with the ball for a float) or the overflow tube?
This looks like a one-piece toilet. I know that some silent flush systems (which this one appears to have, based on the large inlet opening on the left of the bowl below the water line) use china fill valves that are pretty much NLA. If the fill valve needs to be replaced, the flush action might still be silent, but the filling won't be.
If there's a problem with the flush valve not sealing any more, there are kits available to fix that with a thick sticky ring that gets pressed onto the metal valve seat and a new flapper mechanism that presses onto the top surface of the ring. I used this on a 1947 American Standard toilet at our previous home and it effected a successful, permanent repair.
If the fill valve can't be fixed, the Fill Pro anti-siphon type with no float is the way to go. Fairly quiet and trouble free, with easy adjustment for tank fill level and it takes up a lot less space in the tank than a Fluidmaster or other traditional type. See link.
It always used to be that plastic was a cheap substitute for brass tank hardware. It's tough to say which would be better for a replacement cartridge. It seems odd that plastic would cost more than brass/metal. Others here may know which is the better choice.
It's very nice of you to be helping out with these repairs and trying to save household appliances and fixtures that are worth keeping.
www.diydirectsupply.com
This looks like a one-piece toilet. I know that some silent flush systems (which this one appears to have, based on the large inlet opening on the left of the bowl below the water line) use china fill valves that are pretty much NLA. If the fill valve needs to be replaced, the flush action might still be silent, but the filling won't be.
If there's a problem with the flush valve not sealing any more, there are kits available to fix that with a thick sticky ring that gets pressed onto the metal valve seat and a new flapper mechanism that presses onto the top surface of the ring. I used this on a 1947 American Standard toilet at our previous home and it effected a successful, permanent repair.
If the fill valve can't be fixed, the Fill Pro anti-siphon type with no float is the way to go. Fairly quiet and trouble free, with easy adjustment for tank fill level and it takes up a lot less space in the tank than a Fluidmaster or other traditional type. See link.
It always used to be that plastic was a cheap substitute for brass tank hardware. It's tough to say which would be better for a replacement cartridge. It seems odd that plastic would cost more than brass/metal. Others here may know which is the better choice.
It's very nice of you to be helping out with these repairs and trying to save household appliances and fixtures that are worth keeping.
Fill Pro FV85A Ballcock Anti-Siphon Toilet Fill Valve - Low Profile
FILL PRO ANTI-SIPHON FILL VALVE
I recently spent a mint repairing a toilet in my master bathroom, it is also an American Standard push button. But mine is from the early 1990s. It has the Sloan fushmate insides and needed to be retrofitted to it.
We had this toilet back in the early '80's. Quietest and most comfortable toilet ever. Also the most expensive at $480.00 back then.
I think the house next door to me has (or had) an A-S Luxor toilet in the master bath. The house was built in 1968, and the owner was a plumber who sold American-Standard products for many years. I do remember one of the other baths had an A-S toilet mounted on the wall.
When I worked at a plumbing supply place in the early 90's, I remember ordering a replacement seat for one of these, and it was extraordinarily expensive.
When I worked at a plumbing supply place in the early 90's, I remember ordering a replacement seat for one of these, and it was extraordinarily expensive.
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
Rich's parents had a vent-away in their guest bath, and it was working well from when they built the house (aprox. 1970) until the day they moved about 10 years ago. Hopefully that helps to point toward just a cleaning. Our water here is very clean.
Chuck
Chuck
