Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - another slow draining toilet

1 of 3 toilets in my house is chronically slow draining. The toilet is one of 2 on the second floor. After plunging for a while, I can get it from very slow to slow. If I can get it to flush, I have to drain the entire tank, and it very slowly flushes.

I pulled the toilet and ran a snake down as far as I could (until it hit an bend in the basement). No clogs. I then tried to remove the end cap near the bend in the basement thinking I should look in to the bend area. I cannot get the end cap to open. I have tried hanging on it, and hammering a pipe wrench on it, but cannot get it to open. It is PVC. There is another pipe coming down from the downstairs toilet right next to it. The cap on that one opens fine (of course)

My question: Is there a way to get the cap off without having to cut the sucker with a saws all?

Also, I ran 5 gallons of water down the drain with the toilet off and it disappeared as soon as it went in, of course the pipe is about 11 feet straight down until the basement. I then ran a garden hose up the air vent for about 6 feet to see of something may be blocking the air vent. No luck there, also all other drains and toilets work fine.

What is the likelihood that the toilet itself (16 years old) is to blame?

Thanks for any tips!

Steve

The cap in the basement may come off if you put a wrench on it and while you put a steady pull on it, someone taps on the plug top with a hammer.Taps, not beats. Vibration is sometimes the key.
Toilet itself may be the problem. If you can pour a bucket of water into it and it drains fine then it may be the trap in it is rough and slowing the flow of solids.
You may want to try a drain product called Drain Care. It is an enzyme drain product that clings to clogs and eats them. It takes overnight but does work. Sold at the Big Box stores and Ace and Walmart. Safe for all sewer systems also.
Try these things and post back with results or more questions. Good luck.

If there is something in the trap of the toilet then use a toilet auger the help clear it.

Thanks for the tips. I will try a drain clearing product. Should I put the toilet back on first? I did run an auger through the toilet but did not find anything.

Check out my FAQ's on toilet problems, you might find an answer in it.

Click link below

http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=157836#1

Thanks for all the help. It turns out it was the toilet. A new American Standard from Home Depot $90 works very well.