(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[erwinseow]

Hey guys!

I'm looking to get a coffee machine for about a $1k or less. Been reading that the Rancillo Silvia seem's good except for the PID. The Bezzerra looks really good but it's out of my budget.

I'm newbie to using the barrista coffee machines.

Do you have any machines that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance!

You need a budget for the grinder as well..

 

[prozaizxc]

Hey guys, so my rancilio silvia has been leaking water by the side of the machine and there is a weird water leaking sound whenever the machine is turned on so i took off the top cover and turned it on to see what was happening and realised there is indeed a leak.

http://imgur.com/a/OBy23

Those are the images of the leak. The leak appears at the top of the boiler as seen in the first picture i circled in green.

Question is, can i simply use some sealant and apply it there to stop the leak or what must i do to fix it?

 

[testerjp]

Sealant needs food grade, not cheap and easily available iirc.
Must also see is it leaking from which part of the nut.

Your name on the pic fyi.

 

[prozaizxc]

Sealant needs food grade, not cheap and easily available iirc.
Must also see is it leaking from which part of the nut.

Your name on the pic fyi.

Hmm, water seems to be coming out from behind the two wires. I was thinking of just sealing off the entire thing.

But then, after putting the top cover back in place and then pulling a shot, the leak started to get much worse i have no idea why. this leak has been happening for the past 2 weeks already but i haven't got time to check it out. But then after taking off the top cover and not touching anything else, the leak became so bad!

Also, usually when temperature surfing, i would have to let the grouphead run for 5-6 seconds before the boiler would turn on but then again, after taking off the top cover the boiler turned on 2-3 seconds after i flush the grouphead which is imo very weird as i am quite familiar with the flushing procedure and the boiler turns on much later when flushing.

I think i might just send the machine to service after this

 

[testerjp]

The boiler has a lot of pressure. Don't think you can just paste something over.

Maybe the water had short other components too since they should vaporize quite quickly

 

[erwinseow]

Hey guys, so my rancilio silvia has been leaking water by the side of the machine and there is a weird water leaking sound whenever the machine is turned on so i took off the top cover and turned it on to see what was happening and realised there is indeed a leak.

http://imgur.com/a/OBy23

Those are the images of the leak. The leak appears at the top of the boiler as seen in the first picture i circled in green.

Question is, can i simply use some sealant and apply it there to stop the leak or what must i do to fix it?

I am not a certified technician, but it looks like the heating element gasket needs replacement?

https://www.espressoparts.com/rancilio-silvia-110v-boiler-heating-element

It should be the blue looking ring.

Good luck!

 

[prozaizxc]

The boiler has a lot of pressure. Don't think you can just paste something over.

Maybe the water had short other components too since they should vaporize quite quickly

I am not a certified technician, but it looks like the heating element gasket needs replacement?

https://www.espressoparts.com/rancilio-silvia-110v-boiler-heating-element

It should be the blue looking ring.

Good luck!

Yeah now that i think about it i don't think adding sealant will work.
Likely like what erwin seow has said that should be the problem as i have also ask the home barista forums and somebody has replied the same thing.

The problem is that the gasket costs US$6 but shipping to here from espresso parts is a whopping US$46.69 lol

Would probably send it in to spinelli who does the distribution for rancilio to get it serviced thanks for all your help!

 

[testerjp]

With such cramp space, don't think it's easy to take out that nut.
What if there's more issues, think better to send for service.

Should be quite exp to service.

 

[prozaizxc]

With such cramp space, don't think it's easy to take out that nut.
What if there's more issues, think better to send for service.

Should be quite exp to service.

Yes exactly my thoughts. There isn't any videos on how to fix it either better not do it else it screw it up further.

They quoted me $80 an hour but also said most repairs take only an hour. Not sure if they charge by per minute or per hour and also if the parts used are included in the price.

As i have no knowledge on this do u think its a reasonable price?

Bought from an overseas website as well so no warranty but the machine is about 1.5 yrs already anyway doubt warranty from spinelli covers so long either.

Any other repair places u guys know?

 

[testerjp]

Don't think it includes parts, how to include when they haven't even see the problem or troubleshoot the issue. Since they mentioned by per hr, then should be hr rate.

 

[sohzai]

Better to not tell them it's bought overseas where possible too. Some local distributors refuse to service overseas bought units.

Sent from LGE LG-H961N using GAGT

 

[tortoise18]

wanna upgrade from my delonghi eco310. i mod it to be non-pressurized, come out no crema.

 

[tortoise18]

can intro less than $800 machine for an upgrade? the only drinker at home, dun wanna spend so much but gd enough for personal use.

 

[wusong0901]

Yes exactly my thoughts. There isn't any videos on how to fix it either better not do it else it screw it up further.

They quoted me $80 an hour but also said most repairs take only an hour. Not sure if they charge by per minute or per hour and also if the parts used are included in the price.

As i have no knowledge on this do u think its a reasonable price?

Bought from an overseas website as well so no warranty but the machine is about 1.5 yrs already anyway doubt warranty from spinelli covers so long either.

Any other repair places u guys know?

First, you should stop using the machine immediately since high voltage + hot water leak + metal is highly dangerous.

I am a bit surprised that the machine did not strip your house's power since all power outlets in Singapore are running on GFCI. You mentioned the machine was bought oversea, I guess with different type of plug, make sure the machine is grounded for safety reason.

If the leak is due to the heating element gasket as pointed out in earlier post, which I think it likely is, it will be fairly easy to fix, you just need the right tools for the job.

First, get a caliber ($2 at Daiso) to measure the thread size of the heating element.
Go to hardware store or homefix and find a tubular spanner of the same size (looks like this: https://autocon.biz/image//Eastman 2/Spanner E-2016.jpg)
Unplug the 2 leading wires connected to the heating element and any other wires nearby and use the spanner and a long screw driver sticked to spanner to tighten the heating element.
Chances are it can be loosened due to different thermal expanding rate. I think it is more likely the case as the gasket should not be damaged in the machine this young.

IMPORTANT: when tightening the heating element with the spanner, you should find a way to keep the boiler stay still as you might bend the pipe connecting to the boiler creating another leak.

If you need to buy a new gasket, use ezbuy as the forwarder, the shipping cost will be much lower but you might need to wait a few more days.

If you have any questions I will try my best to help.

 

[testerjp]

I won't do repair myself though, I'm the sort who destroys whatever I try to fix.

 

[testerjp]

wanna upgrade from my delonghi eco310. i mod it to be non-pressurized, come out no crema.

can intro less than $800 machine for an upgrade? the only drinker at home, dun wanna spend so much but gd enough for personal use.

I think you are the 3rd or 4th guy who mentioned that you bought those cheap Delonghi or Saeco, cmi then want to upgrade.

If you did not spend on that Delonghi from the start, use that with the 800$ budget for the espresso machine, I think it's close to getting a heat exchanger already.

I suggest that you save up and go straight for a good heat exchanger machine so you don't have to "upgrade" again. Waste more money, your time and waste all the beans on those Delonghi machines.

 

[2ichigo2]

wanna upgrade from my delonghi eco310. i mod it to be non-pressurized, come out no crema.

Hmm i have no issus with eco310 with non pressurized basket mod. How fast is your extract? I think maybe it is not grind fine enough.

I just do not like damn short steam wand...

 

[patryn33]

No crema how fresh are the beans?

 

[gkhbgk]

Hi I'm thinking of getting this. Need some expert opinion from you guys here.

Bezzera Mitica TOP PID with Rotary Pump

Quamar Q50E Grinder Metallic Silver Grey, 54MM
Or
Bezzera BB005 Coffee Grinder
Or
Expobar 600 Doser Coffee Grinder

Few Question
1. Is PID really necessary?
2. E61 Grouphead is really THAT GOOD ?
3. Grinder- flat / conical - really makes a difference?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[testerjp]

Conical burrs have a slower rpm, so less heat during grind.
They also have a wider grinding area to disperse heat.
A Honkie barista recently claimed that heat is better though, but many are doubtful in the claim.

E61 has a lot of makers, ECM, Bezzera, VBM, Expobar, etc. I think more than 10 companies copying it. If it's not good, i think won't have 10 over established companies copying? Maybe because it's an open patent?

From what i been reading, PID adjust the boiler temperature so will inevitably affect the HX temperature. The fluctuation is also lesser. Got abnormalities, I think u can see it better. You may have more confidence is seeing exact number that guesstimate.

I'll pick BB005 or Q50E.

Hope the info helps.