Moen mixing valve

[Pipestone Kid]

I have a Moen mixing valve in my tub/shower and I cannot get any cold water out of it. Does this mean a new cartridge is in order or just a cleaning? Or maybe something else? To give a little back ground, it acted up a couple of weeks ago, but I turned it off/on a couple of times and it was fine. That doesn't work this time. Any advice is appreciated.
Jim

[drtyhands]

I have a Moen mixing valve in my tub/shower and I cannot get any cold water out of it. Does this mean a new cartridge is in order or just a cleaning? Or maybe something else? To give a little back ground, it acted up a couple of weeks ago, but I turned it off/on a couple of times and it was fine. That doesn't work this time. Any advice is appreciated.
Jim
I usually clean and flush out the rough valve body with full house pressure before installing a new cartridge,be carefull not to gouge the inside while your trying to remove the mineral deposits.

[plumberscrack]

Changing the Moen cartridge is the easiest faucet repair there is. More than 15 mins you are doing something wrong. The hardest part is getting the old 1 out.

[gear junkie]

Don't forget to add a light coat of plumber's grease to everything rubber. Rough mineral deposit can be softened by soaking some paper towels in vinager then shoving the towels in the valve body for half a day. The deposit will wipe right off then. Then flush the valve body w/ water.

Ben

[Drip Leg]

This will help to get the old cartridge out, I use it for 1225 & 1222 cartridges.

Crappy picture but you get the point.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w240/rdavex7/moenpuller.jpg

[Pipestone Kid]

Thanks for the quick replys. Sounds like a cartridge change is in order. I guessed that would be the answer, but wanted to ask in case someone had run into something that I hadn't thought of. "Crack", I agree, the toughest part is getting the old one out--just changed one in the lav faucet a month ago. Thanks again, Jim

[wbrooks]

Check with the plumbing guys at HD, they usually have a stash of mixers in a drawer in the new kitchens section that they give out for free to warranty claims. Just bring your old valve with you. I think Moen qualifies for this

[PIPES]

Well since no one else bothered to ask, Do you turn the handle or pull the handle to turn the water on ? it makes a difference.

If you turn the handle counter clockwise to turn on the water , a cartridge is all you will need.
If you pull the handle out to turn on the water , you need the balancing spool.

[Pipestone Kid]

PIPES: Thanks for the response/question. I turn the handle. I should have posted the model number and made it easier to respond--my boo-boo. As an update, I called Moen first thing this morning and a new cartridge will be here tomorrow. (Had to pay for the speedy shipping, but that was cheaper than the gas to go to the nearest HD to see if they had one as WBrooks suggested--80 miles round trip) Same distance to the nearest plumbing shop. Thanks again, everyone.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Well since no one else bothered to ask, Do you turn the handle or pull the handle to turn the water on ? it makes a difference.

If you turn the handle counter clockwise to turn on the water , a cartridge is all you will need.
If you pull the handle out to turn on the water , you need the balancing spool.

very good obsevation pipes:)

i would have guessed it was a balancing spool as a normal 1200 0r 1225 cartridge typically doesn't plug up. i would think that when he removes the cart. he will find some debris in the port. make sure to flush out the valve before installing the new cart.

if you do have a balancing spool inside the cart. it can easily plug or freeze up. this is usually by construction debris, hard water, and lack of use.

the side spools are also another issue, but mine are now 15 years old and still working fine and have not replaced anything yet. :D

rick.

[Pipestone Kid]

UPDATE: The new cartridge came today and is installed. Plumberscrack, I failed the test--it took me an hour. I couldn't get the old one out using the method they described, but a little ingenuity and a lot of cussing finally overcame!! The interesting thing was what caused the cold water stoppage. It wasn't mineral buildup, construction materials, etc. The rubber flange on the side of the cartridge had come off and somehow (????) got wedged in the incoming pipe. That took a good part of the hour trying to get that out of the pipe. Final note: Happy showering tonight!!:D :D

[plumberscrack]

UPDATE: The new cartridge came today and is installed. Plumberscrack, I failed the test--it took me an hour. I couldn't get the old one out using the method they described, but a little ingenuity and a lot of cussing finally overcame!!

Yea seen that a few times; kind of a fluke thing that some Moen cart. do.

It took you an hour because you read and followed their instructions.:confused:

I usually keep a roll of quarters nearby for the cussing jar.:D

[PLUMBER RICK]

the plastic magnum cartridges are usually very easy to pull. the brass carts. can be a real pain. the 2 pullers are useless until you use a vice grip to pull the center stem. then a puller with a ball detent or a proper easy out is all it takes.

i always use a copper brush/ 3/4'' to clean the valve then flush out the body before installing the new cart.

pipestone kid, keep this in mind in another 10 years:D

rick.

[Pipestone Kid]

Plumber Rick, if I need another in ten years, I will have you and Mrs Seatdown come over and change it . Then we will sit on the pontoon and catch some nice fish and drink some cold ones. :D :D
Jim

[PLUMBER RICK]

Plumber Rick, if I need another in ten years, I will have you and Mrs Seatdown come over and change it . Then we will sit on the pontoon and catch some nice fish and drink some cold ones. :D :D
Jim

you got a deal. just swap out the cold ones for some root beers and i'll book it. mrs. seat down is waiting for an anniversary trip. she tore/ detached her retina and had an interesting procedure done to help reattach it. can't fly till the gas bubble dissolves.

wait till i tell here where we are going;)

correction, she has a tendency to log on at work and check up on me:eek:

now if only i can collect on the steak and brownies from other members.

thanks jim.

rick.

[MoonBeam]

What are the issues with the side spool?

I need to replace mine (1423) and need some advice as to what to "look out for/ avoid" doing so as not to botch the job.

I called Moen Canada and these are not part of the Warranty like the cartridges.

The person at Moen told me to remove the spool and soak overnight in a 50/50 mix of vineger and water. Then tap on a hard surface and ensure I can hear something like a marble moving when I shake the unit before reinstalling it.

I expect that CLR would also work well.....?

Thanks in advance!


very good obsevation pipes:)

i would have guessed it was a balancing spool as a normal 1200 0r 1225 cartridge typically doesn't plug up. i would think that when he removes the cart. he will find some debris in the port. make sure to flush out the valve before installing the new cart.

if you do have a balancing spool inside the cart. it can easily plug or freeze up. this is usually by construction debris, hard water, and lack of use.

the side spools are also another issue, but mine are now 15 years old and still working fine and have not replaced anything yet. :D

rick.

[NHMaster3015]

Every time I see a Moen shower valve thread my BP goes up. I absolutly hate Moen t\s valves. 2 hrs to replace a cartridge, what a fine product.

[Herk]

The rubber flange on the side of the cartridge had come off and somehow (????) got wedged in the incoming pipe.

This usually happens when you're pulling it out, not when it's installed in the body. (Although Moen did once have a problem with new kitchen faucets when they started using a new inserter at the factory.) That's one of the reasons that you should have a spare set of parts before you take it to pieces.

I've never had to replace a balancing spool - usually just pulling out the inner core and cleaning the core and barrel will get them working again. It doesn't take much debris to stop the spool from sliding back and forth.

[Herk]

Every time I see a Moen shower valve thread my BP goes up. I absolutly hate Moen t\s valves. 2 hrs to replace a cartridge, what a fine product.

Actually, it's not always that bad. With the proper tools, the cartridge usually comes right out. It's only when they're old and subjected to hard water or rust or debris that you have a problem, or when you're trying to pull the cartridge with a pair of pliers.

Or - there's often a problem with the old brass cartridges coming out after fifteen years. There have been cases where I pulled one because it was old, not because it was no longer functioning.

[NHMaster3015]

As opposed to the 10 minutes it takes to rebuild a delta or kohler:D

How about the Moen single handle kitchen faucet that shuts itself off, another gem of Moen engineering.:D

[wrench spinner]

I hate everything moen i remember agrivation even getting the handle back on the kitchen sink faucets.... comon Im sure I wasnt the only one!!! and then the shower valves how come they are the hardest to pull out even with the tool it is a bear!!! i used to be afraid i was going to pull the wall down sometimes!! Whenever I would reinstall it id use a liberal amount of grease on them with the hope that next time it wouldnt be so bad!

[Pipestone Kid]

Boy, you guys must have a lot of time on your hands--this post is 15 months old!!!:itsover:

[wrench spinner]

Its been a slow morning......