# Toilet question: Do I need this plastic washer-bit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-question-do-i-need-this-plastic-washer-bit/291778 "2005-02-24T22:58:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-question-do-i-need-this-plastic-washer-bit/291778/1 "2005-02-24T22:58:04Z")
I just stopped my toilet from running; a plastic, top-hat shaped washer-looking thing (with “Mansfiled Watersaver” embossed on it) was in the way of the flush valve, causing it to not sit, well, flush. I removed it, tested it (it seemed to run normally), and now I’m confused as to where exactly this plastic washer goes. Until I find out for sure (I can’t seem to find the part on “Toiletology 101”), would I be fine just letting this piece sit out? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-question-do-i-need-this-plastic-washer-bit/291778/2 "2005-02-24T23:22:58Z")
Just a WAG, but that’s probably just a decorative bit off the top of the fill valve (the part on the far left that the water line connects to on the bottom) Might also have acted as a tank water level adjustment, but my money’s on being something your toilet can live without. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-question-do-i-need-this-plastic-washer-bit/291778/3 "2005-02-24T23:37:41Z")
Is [this](http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1276451&cp=&searchId=0&brandId=93897&parentPage=search) the part? Do you also have a Mansfield flush valve? ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-question-do-i-need-this-plastic-washer-bit/291778/4 "2005-02-25T00:53:30Z")
[Here’s](http://fff.fathom.org/pages/Joe_K/toiletbit.JPG) the part. Yes, I do have the Mansfield valve—that’s the one that isn’t the ballcock, yes? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-question-do-i-need-this-plastic-washer-bit/291778/5 "2005-02-25T02:51:21Z")
It seems to me its what’s on top of the assembly in [this picture.](http://www.plumbingwarehouse.com/mansfield.html) I suspect it’s not supposed to come off, and won’t be listed as a replacement part. If the main body of the valve (with the square eyelet at its top) moves up and down, I would guess this is its limit stop, and that it’s a pressed-on part that got driven off by the main body hitting it each time the valve operates. If that’s the case, you likely could reattach it by pressing or carefully tapping it back on. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-question-do-i-need-this-plastic-washer-bit/291778/6 "2005-02-25T03:47:05Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > If the main body of the valve (with the square eyelet at its top) moves up and down, I would guess this is its limit stop, and that it’s a pressed-on part that got driven off by the main body hitting it each time the valve operates. I think you’re right. I noticed that the body of the valve was moving a little higher than I remembered from last year when I replaced a washer on the float-part. Looks like I’ll be gently tapping this back on, and perhaps, eventually replacing the whole unit. Many thanks to all.