How to repair a moen single handle kitchen faucet

Now I am having a leaking issue from my kitchen faucet but am not sure if is caused by leaky cartridge. I observed slow water leaking through cold water line under sink and no leaking found on other lines under sink such as hot water line. If the leaking is only related to cartridge, why is there no water on all lines under sink? I thought a leaky cartridge will cause water leaking to all water lines under sink. Is it right? In this case, I think replacing cartridge only may not solve my current leaking issue. Is it right? I guess my water leaking might occurred at the connection between cold water line and faucet. It is difficult to see and fix by just replacing cartridge. Could you please advise on my issue? I am trying to decide if I should replace cartridge or replace the whole faucet. Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Table of Contents Show

Faucet Is Leaking From the Spout
Moen Kitchen Faucet Leaking From Base of Spout
Faucet Is Leaking Under the Sink
How do you take apart a Moen single handle kitchen faucet?
How do you replace the O

Changing the O-rings for most Moen one-handle kitchen faucets can be done without doing anything below the sink except turning off the water at the supply line valves.

Remove the faucet handle. Most models have a screw behind a red/blue plug button or under the handle cap (go to Browse Products to assist in locating your model. The parts breakdown will show the location of the handle screw for your model). After the plug button or handle cap has been removed, use a 7/64" hex wrench to remove the handle screw. Follow the parts breakdown for the order of the handle mechanism. Once the handle mechanism kit is removed (including the spout retainer nut) rotate the spout back and forth while pulling up.

Some Moen faucets have handles that remove by loosening the screw in the back of the handle. To loosen this screw use a 3/32" hex wrench. After the handle has been removed unscrew the spout collar nut by turning counterclockwise then lift and rotate the spout.

Remove the existing O-rings from the valve body noting the location of each. Clean (with 50/50 solution of vinegar and water) the inside of the spout and the outside of the valve body. Lubricate the O-rings using the silicon grease included and install the new O-rings on the valve body. Apply the lubricant to the outside of the valve body and the inside of the spout hub.

A helpful hint:

Always lubricate faucet O-rings with silicone-based grease (Moen part number: 99915). Do not use plumber's grade faucet grease, silicon sprays or any lubricant that contain petroleum. Petroleum based lubricants may react with rubber seals and actually cause the faucet to become even more difficult to operate.

Changing the O-rings for most Moen 1 handle kitchen faucets can be done without doing anything below the sink except turning off the water at the supply line valves.

Click here for more information on how to turn the water supply off

A helpful hint:

Always lubricate faucet O-rings with silicone-based grease (Moen part number 99915). Do not use plumber's grade faucet grease, silicon sprays or any lubricant that contain petroleum. Petroleum based lubricants may react with rubber seals and actually cause the faucet to become even more difficult to operate.

Re-install the spout, handle mechanism kit and the handle in the reverse order.

Click here for more information on leaking kitchen faucets

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- I have a 2 handle kitchen faucet and need to replace the O-rings. What are the steps to do this?
- I just replaced the cartridge in my Moen kitchen faucet and the handle will not stay in the open position. How do i fix this?
  
  If you're involved with a Moen kitchen faucet repair, and the faucet has only one handle, the job will entail taking the faucet apart. That might sound drastic, but it's actually pretty simple — which is also is true, by the way, for a Moen single handle bathroom faucet repair. If there is any complication, it will probably be caused by scale build-up.
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  If you take apart a faucet from another manufacturer, such as Delta, you're as likely to find a ball valve as you are to find a cartridge valve, but that's not true if the faucet is a Moen. All Moen faucets, even the two-handled models, have cartridge valves. If the faucet is leaking, you might have to replace the cartridge. But it's also possible that replacing O-rings will stop the leak.
  
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  Faucet Is Leaking From the Spout
  Some Moen cartridges, such as the ones in Positemp shower valves, can be large and complicated. But the ones in kitchen faucets are smaller and simpler, and they are usually made of plastic. When the spout leaks, water may be slipping past the O-rings around the cartridge or through the cartridge itself, and when the latter malfunction occurs, it's often because mineral deposits are preventing the cartridge from sealing.
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  You may need to replace the cartridge, but you can often fix the problem by soaking it overnight in vinegar to dissolve the minerals. If you need to replace the cartridge or the O-rings, you'll need the name of the faucet model so you can order the proper parts from Moen. If you don't know the model, you can look it up on Moen's site, which also provides information on exchanging the O-rings.
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  You'll need a flat-head screwdriver, hex wrench and pair of locking pliers to remove the valves so you can determine what needs to be done. Turn off the shut-off valves under the sink, pop off the cap from the handle with the screwdriver, unscrew the set screw with the hex wrench and pull off the cap to expose the valve retaining nut. Loosen and remove this with the pliers and pull out the valve.
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  Moen Kitchen Faucet Leaking From Base of Spout
  If you have a faucet that swivels, and it leaks from the base of the spout, the problem may also be worn O-rings, according to Moen's troubleshooting page.
  To access the O-rings, you need to remove the spout. You can do this without removing the valve, although you do have to remove the handle. Once the handle is off, grasp the spout and lift it right off the faucet base, tapping with a mallet if necessary to loosen it.
  
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  You'll see the O-rings fitted around the faucet base, and you can usually pry them off with your fingers, using a screwdriver if necessary. Before you get to this point, you should have your replacement O-rings in hand. Moen recommends lubricating them with silicone-based grease — not ordinary plumber's grease — to make them watertight and easier to install.
  Faucet Is Leaking Under the Sink
  When a swivel faucet is leaking from the base, some of the water may drip underneath the sink. You fix this by replacing the O-rings.
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  If you have a Moen pull out kitchen faucet leaking from the base, however, the problem could be that the quick connector between the spout hose and the faucet base is leaking. That isn't supposed to happen, and when it does, it's usually because the connecter wasn't put together properly.
  Moen's instructions for fixing this problem begin with finding the tabs or button on the connector and squeezing while you push the hoses together. This releases the connector, allowing you to pull the hoses apart so you can start over. To reconnect the hoses, squeeze the tabs again, push the male end into the female end until the connector clicks and the tabs come out all the way. If the connector has a push button, there's no need to press it. Just listen for the click.
  
  How do you take apart a Moen single handle kitchen faucet?
  
  Some Moen faucets have handles that remove by loosening the screw in the back of the handle. To loosen this screw use a 3/32" hex wrench. After the handle has been removed unscrew the spout collar nut by turning counterclockwise then lift and rotate the spout.
  
  How do you replace the O
  
  Remove the existing O-rings from the valve body noting the location of each. Clean (with 50/50 solution of vinegar and water) the inside of the spout and the outside of the valve body. Lubricate the O-rings using the silicon grease included and install the new O-rings on the valve body.