And now for the rest of you.... Joe is the only one who's on the right track, the rest of you weren't even close and even offered some very bad advice!
Sounds like a worn out joker to me. Replace every Spring is a good idea.
Why do so many people think the joker valve is source/cure for ANY toilet problem, even in the toilet INTAKE ?? The joker valve should be replaced at least annually, but that won't solve this problem.
Some possible causes:
1. Heads flushed with salt water accumulate scale deposits in the discharge channels and hoses. Scale deposits cause a head to get progressively harder to flush, and it is scale on the valves that allows water in the discharge line to leak back into the bowl. Calcium deposits eventually lead to total blockage, a most unpleasant prospect. Avoid this problem by running a pint of white vinegar through the head once a month.
2. Plugged sanitation hose. Solution is to auger it with an auger attached to a drill.
3. Fouled sanitation hose. Time to replace the hose.
4. Poorly lubed joker valve: Avoid this by pouring a 1/4 cup of vegetable oil into the toilet once a month.
5. Joker valve failure. Time to replace the joker valve.
1. 90% of a whole pint of vinegar will just run all the way through the system into the holding tank. A cupful once a week will accomplish just as much without wasting good vinegar. It should rinsed out of the system with clean FRESH water after 45-60 minutes. Never leave vinegar sitting in the bowl...when soft rubber (joker valves) are left to sit and soak in vinegar, they swell and distort.
2. Don't even THINK of doing that! The right solution is a 15% solution of muriatic acid--available from any hardware store. If the hose is completely blocked, use just a cupful for the first application...it may sit in the bowl till it "eats" through the top layer. Whether it's completely blocked, it may require more than one application.
3. Unless "fouled" means "stinking" and/or the hoses are more than 5 years, replacing 'em shouldn't be necessary.
4. Joker valves don't require any lubrication...manual toilet pumps do. But a 1/4 cup accomplishes no more than a tablespoon...the excess just washes out with the first flush.
5. One more person who pins every problem on the joker valve. <sigh>
Joker valves don't fail, but they do wear out and should be replaced at least annually.
At least some of you have my book, but you make it obvious you've never even opened it! Try doing that sometime...you might learn something!
--Peggie