Review on 🚽 Enhanced Kohler K1078578 Flush Valve Assembly Kit: Optimize Your Search by Daniel Jackson

Hey Gang - First of all, thanks to many great reviews and tips here I was able to install it at all. Our toilet is a Kohler Rialto 3386 so as you all know this is the correct flush valve. The attached photo shows the items I needed in addition to what was included in the Kohler kit. From left to right: a Dremel tool with a sanding attachment, a small pry bar, heavy-duty gloves, and plumbing silicone grease. The first problem arose during a trial installation of a new flush valve. Despite the perfect alignment of the three locking protrusions, the valve could not get into the porcelain hole. Tried silicone grease but to no avail. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the OD of the valve flange was a tiny fraction of an inch larger than the hole in the china! Crazy I know and I really wish I had mics from work to back it up. But I could see it with my own eyes, so I started working with the Dremel tool. Basically I beveled the first 1/4 inch or so of the plastic flange to allow the assembly to at least enter the porcelain hole. After a few turns with a dremel, and being careful not to cut off too much at once, I was able to check the seating of the valve without the rubber washer. Yayyy! I then placed the rubber gasket in very hot soapy water while I started to work and smeared the flange and porcelain inside and out with silicone grease. Then, while holding the hot rubber gasket in my hands, I coated it with silicone grease as well. moment of truth! Since I had checked the valve several times, I knew the exact launch angle. With my knees pressed against the tank, I pushed as hard as I could to compress the gasket and twist to lock the tabs. But my hands were too slippery, and all I got for my trouble was a decent cut at the base of the index finger on my left hand. It took a few minutes to re-bandage the bandage and then I put on the grip gloves which I should have been using from the start! But then again, with all my strength, I just couldn't squeeze the gasket enough to twist the locking tabs into place. Here the tire lever won the day. By placing the angled end right in the middle of the valve and pressing it against the back of the tank I was able to get that critical extra compression and rotate the pins and valve to a vertical and locked position! But be careful - I was aware of the possibility that the porcelain tank might rupture, so I increased the pressure of the crowbar very, very slowly. Anyway, that ends well, all's well. But it wasn't an easy install, and I suspect the porcelain tank's manufacturing tolerances might make fitting it to seemingly identical Rialtos much easier or more difficult. I hope everything will be easier for you, but I hope these tips will be useful if not.