[bikestuff]

Gurus,

A while ago I noticed water stains that seemed to be coming from the corner of my shower (where the valve is).  My thought that was 1) a roof leak that happened to show up in the shower....or 2) A leak from the valve.

This post is to document what the Grohe shower valve looks like and to help the next guy when he has a leak.

The only way to figure this out was to start taking the valve apart.  (I was hoping to be able to snake a camera in behind the valve to see what was happening).  
   

When I got the valve apart it was clear that water was coming from one of the shut off valves which I tried to remove....but I could not get the screw loose.  I decided to remove the entire corian plate from the front of the corner.  It is held on by silicone sealant.  I gently worked a razor blade around the plate and then used a small putty knife around the edge.   Eventually it came loose.   
   

This allowed me to remove the valve body.  You can see the screw that would not come out (second from left).   Once the valve was out the screw came out easily.  
   

If you look at the valve body you can see a screws on the left and right of the tempering valve (center).  Removing the screws exposes the two stop valves.
   
   
   

These stop valves have 5 separate “O”rings.  Rather than trying to source the exact rings, I opted to buy new valves.  I used Zoro.com.   Thank you to @"Rongripon" for this posting the part number (08 355 00M T01) on this Post.

While I had the valve out, I cleaned up with vinegar / water / scrubby pads.
   

I will update when it all goes back together.

   

Cheers,
Bill

[360]

Grohe has a lifetime warranty. For any parts just all them up and they'll ship it out to you.

[bikestuff]

Thanks Brad,

I talked to Grohe and they said that was not the case. They have a limited 10 year warranty AND that the warranty only goes with the original purchaser.

The Grohe support person helped me find the part number for my unit. Gromix 34436.

A quick search found a complete parts breakdown for the valve.

[encantotom]

i did some of the same things and grohe told me the same. they would not warranty any of the parts for me

btw, delta warranties everything

tom

[House Divided]

Interesting about the warranty. Last November I called Grohe about replacing my leaky isolation valves and thermostatic cartridge. They replaced all three no questions asked. 

Once we settled on the appropriate part numbers I asked what the price would be, and the gentleman kindly told me they were still covered.

[360]

My bad on the advice. For some reason I thought they were lifetime. Got a house full of Grohe, but i'm not at 10 years yet.

[Keith Jordan]

Fyi for any dealing with this.I had a
Little flow thru my shower.took valves out and they were full of junk.Cleaned and reassembled flow was better for a couple of minutes.took back apart cleaned again.Removed supply lines to valve ran into bucket until half full.Reassembled Improvement but still not happy.Few hours later water pump starts running with everything off.shower is running in the off position.take stop valves back out and they look good.start measuring id.One valve is .008 larger so I swap them from hot to cold.No change.I order 2 new valves and when they arrive measure them.Same deal one is .008 larger id.so I proceed to install every combination.large id in both sides,small id In both sides,small one side large in other ,then swap those still will not shut off.What would Richard do? ride a zebra or shoe a horse?Walk away and think without the anger.When I do that something pops in my brain.every time I remove the valve the small o ring below the screen comes out of the groove.I get my trusty camera on a stick and take a look.There is white hard stuff on the surface the o ring sits.I remove that very carefully with a pick and scotchbrite.Fixed.good luck

[Winegrower]

Keith,
I had the opportunity to help Tom with his Grohe shower valve and they are a challenge.  They fit the stereotype of German Sanitary Engineering Company.  They seem way over engineered.  Even a Moen is easier to work on and that's saying something.  Cleaning all the fine deposits off those little O rings was a great idea along with making sure those secondary side valves move freely in their cylinders.  It reminds me finding and fixing an obscure little leak in the air system.  Congratulations on solving the problem.  It really feels good.
Bob

[bikestuff]

Gurus,

The shower valve is back in place and the leak has stopped. Here is what I learned from this job....

1). Make careful notes about how the handle pieces come apart. Although I have added an explosion diagram to the first post, it is hard to read and the parts go back together in a very specific way.

2). It is possible to replace the stop valves without completely removing valve from the shower. Look closely at the pictures and you will know what to do.

3). I seriously considered replacing the valve with a newer vintage shower valve...but the way this one is made means that its life is measured in decades rather than years.

4). Although Grohe was not interested in sending me free stuff....they were very helpful in figuring out what I had and in general how to fix it. Good company.

5). This problem was not at all obvious. A few trickles of water running down inside the shower is easy to overlook. I would bet that this problem has been here for a couple of years. It explains why my Headhunter water pump would kick on every once in a while. Since the fix I have not heard any non-commanded running of the water pump.

6). The screws that are on top of the shut off valves were a bit tight but came off easily when I had the valve in my hand. I should have tried harder with the valve in place. Be sure to use a large bladed screw driver.

7). On the far left and right of the valve are some flat screws. THESE ARE NOT THE STOP VALVE SCREWS. These are for residential applications where it is difficult to turn the water supply off. They can turn 1/4 of a turn to turn off the water to that side of the valve. Mine are stuck in the “on” position and did not want to turn. I decided that they can stay stuck since we have easy ways of turning off the water to the shower. 1) turn the valve in the water bay and 2) turn the pump off.

For what its worth!
Bill