Kohler Malleco Pull-Down Kitchen Sink Faucet Repair 

Interesting. My faucet (the same one in the video) lost pressure after just ONE WEEK! Kohler is sending a new cartridge (let's see if that helps). If not, I'll ask about that white connector....looks like it's more than just a connector, but also some type of in-line filter.

There is a small screen filter in the large end. Unscrew the end and clean the screen.

My faucet had a "lifetime garuantee". Can't you just call Kohler and request a new one for free? I have gotten parts for free, and never bought any for the Malleco (which I bought at Costco).

After living for such a long time without a solution to our low water pressure on this faucet, I read your comment, ordered the part and OMG you are my hero! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. We have such strong water pressure again.

So glad it was helpful. Thank you for the kind comments.

Are you sure that the valve is perfectly seated in it's slots? Also be sure that the silicone gasket is not damaged like mine was. I'm not sure if the aerator is user serviceable. You might call them. They might just send you a new spray head.

Thanks for responding. Yes, the old valve and the new valve are doing the same thing. I have an email into them, so I am hoping to hear something back today.

I believe you can use a standard cold water hose, like for any faucet.

Sounds most likely as a blockage in the water supply line. Sometimes it can be sediment, or pieces of bushings or washers that have disintegrated due to chlorine it chloromines. My suggestion would be to turnoff the water supply, and start tracing one part at a time starting with the shutoff valve, looking for debris in the line. Again assuming that water pressure is still good at all of your other faucets

I'm sure you've already fixed it, but I saw a great video where he took the plastic part that connects to the hose off and the backflow valve needed cleaning.

@@jf0314 Where did you see the video you mention?

@whistlenorvell5197 That is precisely what happened to my faucet. Good pressure on cold but not on hot. Other hot water faucets in house had good pressure. Turned off under sink water supply valves but hot water still dribbling out of open faucet, evidently, under sink valve not fully stopping flow. Figured the washer in the supply valve had disintegrated so I removed the valve, indeed washer was shot, replaced with new and reinstalled valve. Faucet hot water still at low pressure so assumed bits of rubber washer had made their way up into the faucet. I did not know how to pull the faucet mixing valve apart, that's where this video helped. i.e. #10 Torx, Flathead screwdriver to remove decorative flange ( @RobPento also helped by clarifying what dimension a friggin plumbers wrench was). Sure enough, there was a piece of rubber washer stuck in one of the holes in the mixing unit. Hope this story helps others as this video helped me! Thanks to all.

I contacted Kohler’s support number and they ordered the replacement parts. I believe the wrench was a 1-3/32”

See my reply above. It's a 7/8th size.

@@whistlenorvell5197 If we are talking about the locking ring/nut that holds the valve to the faucet body, it's 7/8ths of an inch. it is NOT 1-3/32 ... I hope @Chris A didn't have to make a 2nd trip to Home Depot on your incorrect statement. :(

Do you have good pressure at other faucets in your house? It’s possible that if your municipal water supply has debris in the water mains that it would eventually clog up the mini screens included in the faucet. You could try disassembling and cleaning those screens to see if that helps. I also had purchased a water pressure meter that screws on to a garden hose spigot and measured our water pressure for the whole house: 100 psi, which any plumber would tell you is dangerously high in that it will cause faucets and valves to wear out more quickly. If your sink faucet is the only one that is slow, your overall water pressure is probably not the issue.

Also check the water shut off valves for the faucet supply lines to be sure they are fully open and not clogged themselves.

Agreed

www.us.kohler.com/us/catalog/productDetails.jsp?productId=1012045

I've been told in comments above that it's 7/8"

7/8 does not work it is 29/32 @@whistlenorvell5197

For anyone wondering, it’s a hex 3/32”

28/32” plumbers hex wrench is needed to loosen the set nut.

@@whistlenorvell5197 Thank you. I appreciate it much.

@@whistlenorvell5197 I had the same question....it's not unusual, but it isn't THE standard. I can't seem to find a 28/32" on the interwebs, but I see 27/32 and 29/32 everywhere. Is that a typo, or just a really weird size? Is it 7/8"?

@@paulmckenna5224 I used a set like this: General Tools 188 Shower Valve Wrench Set, 5-Piece www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1QAU0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9J2K48J2A8MHQHM049WG

@@paulmckenna5224 May have been a typo

Do you mean the step where you push the new hose through the disconnected gooseneck tube, or the part that is still connected to the base of the faucet?

@@whistlenorvell5197 the one at 4:52

ReX I see. On mine I just needed to lightly push that button in with Allen wrench or sharp object like a Phillips has driver add the wiggle the gooseneck back and forth and it popped right off

@@whistlenorvell5197 Thanks for the reply. Mine does not move at all i already scratched it. Is yours the touchless version or does it have any difference?

ReX Mine in not touchless, but I wouldn’t think it matters

Which decorative plate? The base plate that touches your countertop?

@@whistlenorvell5197 no, the one between the handle and the actual faucet part. It’s a little ring

We took it off but now it’s scratched and bent and I’m not sure we can replace

@@DS-qw1tp you can check with Kohler customer support and see what they can do

For mine, the key was to find a "really" thin flathead screwdriver bit that was thin enough to gently slip between the decorative flange and the base housing. They are made to fit very snugly, and I had to try several different sizes until I found one thin enough. Hope you are able to get a replacement from Kohler.