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Slow shower head drip from a KOHLER 8304-K-NA Valve Body

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PC7060
PC7060 Member Posts: 1,832
in THE MAIN WALL

Woke up this morning to a slow drip on a 2 year old valve body. Had a spare cartridge and swapped in after cleaning the valve body and lubing built in o-rings with petroleum jelly.

Still have the slow drip. Inspected the valve body interior, all looked clean, no pitting.

Any suggestions?

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,216

    look at where the o-rings seal. I think that kohler cartridges have been ceramic for decades so the part that is going to leak is the seals to the ceramic parts.

  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,832

    I initially thought it was a leaking o-ring but notice the valve will leak with unless both supplies are shut off

    Must be leaking through the cartridge somehow but is odd that two cartridges are doing same thing.

    I may just order a new cartridge since both of the current unit are previously used.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,216

    most of those o-rings don't like to seal again after they have been in service for a while and have hardened in that position if you try to disassemble and reassemble them

    PC7060
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,216

    i believe that stuff has a lifetime warranty

    PC7060
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,832
    edited 11:00PM

    Interesting finding, the leaks stops when i loosen (unthread) the chrome control handle 1/4 -/12 turn. This threads onto a plastics assemble which is in turn threaded onto the cartridge. Wonder if the force is pulling the cartridge body enough to cause the leak

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,216

    either pulling it or more likely keeping it from moving all the way to the off position. maybe there is some corrosion/mineral buildup on the back of the handle or something like that.

    PC7060
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,832

    new cartridge coming in tomorrow. I believe you have it right; the o ring don’t recover from extended install.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,216

    they usually are made of the compounds that are just sort of resistant to water and chlorine and chlorides so after sitting in water for 5-10 years they become brittle instead of pliable. sometimes cleaning the seats in the valve body with vinegar or citric acid can also help but do not use abrasives, sometimes those can leave scratches that prevent it from ever sealing properly again.

  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,576

    In XXIst century O rings are often made with flimsy material. I try to grease 'em up with non silicone plumbers' grease. I pray as well.

    PC7060mattmia2
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,697

    Dont use petroleum based lubes… Vaseline incl. Silicone grease is the best option. The petroleum will degrade the O-ring.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,216

    it isn't flimsy, the compound is just chosen by price instead of chemical resistance. the compound the chose would be fine in some applications.

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