Can I use Amazon or eBay shower faucet cartridge to fix my shower leak?

Post date: 2020-12-02 15:35:39

My tub/shower faucet started dripping. A plumber said I need to replace the faucet cartridge. To my horror, I can't get a replacement part from the manufacturer, because they went out of business. I found some parts on Amazon and also similar (but not the same model) faucets on eBay. What's the likelihood I can use the cartridge from one of them?

My tub & shower faucet started dripping, up to 1 drop per second. When the diverter is down, the tub faucet drips. When the diverter is up, the shower head drips.

I asked a plumber, and he said I need to replace the faucet cartridge. Because there's no standard size of cartridge, he suggested I ask the manufacturer Fontaine. Once I can find a replacement part, it's an easy fix for him.

I discovered to my horror that the manufacturer has gone out of business. (After it went under, the brand Fontaine was bought by a company called Italia, but they do not provide replacement parts for my faucet.)

If I can't find a replacement cartridge, the plumber says he needs to replace the entire tub & shower faucet and all the parts behind the wall, which will be $1500+. Horrors!

The manual says this faucet uses "120° turn washerless ceramic disc valve cartridge". Can I use any of these ceramic disc cartridges from Amazon?

I also found three Fontaine tub/shower faucets on eBay. Those faucets are made by the now-defunct Fontaine, but they're different models of faucet. If you have plumbing knowledge, can you tell me the likelihood that one of those 3 faucet cartridges would work in my faucet?

This is the shower & tub faucet that I purchased, called the Monaco brand: faucet.

Here's the manual / specification for my Monaco faucet: manual.

Here's a picture of faucet #1 on ebay .

Here's a picture of faucet #2 on ebay, the New Haven model.

Here's a picture of faucet #3 on ebay.

Do any plumbing-knowledgeable people have advice on whether these Amazon or eBay cartridges will work? Or where I can get a replacement cartridge? Thanks!

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