CrashV5 Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Italy Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Nov 17, 2011, 8:42am Subject: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
Hi guys! greetings from Italy ;-) My father found an old Cremina coffee machine, good condition and working, how can i read the serial number to find the year of production?
if we would sell it, how much we should ask for? i search a lot and find some people sell it at 700-900$ ...
later i post some pictures to help understand more of this machine ;-)
CrashV5 Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Italy Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Nov 17, 2011, 10:39am Subject: Re: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
ok thanks! so, 7718966, the year fo manufacture is 1977 ! great ;-)
i post a picture of the machine, maybe you can give me more information my father wants to sell it, but how much i MUST ask for this kind of great machine? suggest are welcome , feel free to tell the truth :-) i don't think i could sell it here because i'm in italy and i think i must find someone near me...
PavoniMaster Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Nov 17, 2011, 11:18am Subject: Re: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
Judging by the one photo you have posted, yours will need a complete restoration, which is completely possible. Orphanespresso.com has all the parts. Currently there is a 1977 on ebay located in London. It looks to be in better condition than yours.
CrashV5 Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Italy Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Nov 17, 2011, 11:32am Subject: Re: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
PavoniMaster Said:
Judging by the one photo you have posted, yours will need a complete restoration, which is completely possible. Orphanespresso.com has all the parts. Currently there is a 1977 on ebay located in London. It looks to be in better condition than yours.
Thanks a lot! i've take a look on the one on ebay, looks pretty clean than mine, but you see my machine as we find it so it's dirty, maybe a good clean will make it polish like the london one. I post another pic of mine, take a look at the black button, the london machine doesn't have, what is that button?
you said that need restoration? maybe i should consider this if I want to sell, maybe i need to find some entusiastic who love restoring machine :-)
farmroast Senior Member Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 1,417 Location: Amherst MA. Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Oly:Cremina,Maxi. MCAL... Grinder: Majors, Dienes Vac Pot: Hellem10 Drip: CCD, and more Roaster: 1kg. DreamRoast
Posted Sat Nov 19, 2011, 6:39am Subject: Re: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
There's a button above the old switch that has been added. I'm guessing this may be an added on/off switch. The pre-1982 switches a have a tendency to crack a ceramic part inside. Can't really tell how scratched/wear the group chrome is but that will be a factor. The frame appears to have some rust/bare metal spots. If you remove boiler cap and the nut below it you can take the case off. Has there been leaking inside that has caused any damage? Being a '77 the boiler may have the original insulation and can you see if there are any leaks from pin holes? The other thing to check is the oval slot where the lever roller pin travels. Does it show much wear? Assuming the heating element is ok. Depending on what can't be seen I'm guessing in US it's a $400-$700 value as is.
CrashV5 Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Italy Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011, 2:13am Subject: Re: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
farmroast Said:
There's a button above the old switch that has been added. I'm guessing this may be an added on/off switch. The pre-1982 switches a have a tendency to crack a ceramic part inside. Can't really tell how scratched/wear the group chrome is but that will be a factor. The frame appears to have some rust/bare metal spots. If you remove boiler cap and the nut below it you can take the case off. Has there been leaking inside that has caused any damage? Being a '77 the boiler may have the original insulation and can you see if there are any leaks from pin holes? The other thing to check is the oval slot where the lever roller pin travels. Does it show much wear? Assuming the heating element is ok. Depending on what can't be seen I'm guessing in US it's a $400-$700 value as is.
Hi farmroast! thanks for your very useful post! i can tell you that the black button is not a on/off switch, because is a press/release button type, if you hold it stay push. as i promise, after a good cleaning now the Cremina is more shining ;-) a post some new pics My father said that internal parts are good but by now he doesn't open it, he said that last time (many years ago) it worked fine He said that the machine had a little leak of water somewhere, but not a big problem
too bad i'm really far from US to sell in your country! 700 $ would be great ;-)
Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011, 10:43pm Subject: Re: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
You need to do as suggested and remove the cover...it is very easy. just remove the boiler cap and 17mm nut, remove the top, and the sides will slide off. Look for rust. Fill the tank with fresh water, replace the cap and nut, turn on the machine. When the light goes out, "bleed" the steam wand...twist it open...for a couple of seconds. This will relieve the "false pressure' and allow the machine to get up to proper temperature., Check for leaks, especially around the back of the steam wand behind the face plate, and the sight glass on the right....and the boiler. When the light goes out again, open the steam wand and see if a nice amount of steam exits. Then raise the lever and lower it. Is the water stream nice and full? Place a cup underneath. Is the water nasty looking? I'll bet it is. Now, turn off the machine. If, in 20 minutes or less, the lever raises by itself (what we Cremina owners call "lever erectus" (smile) your seals and gaskets are at least retaining pressure, though no doubt considering the age and lack of use, a complete seal/gasket over haul is due. It is NOT a procedure to worry about, and will take less than 2 hours. it will make your machine like new...well, almost.
If you have a leak or leaks, they MUST be repaired.
If not, then your next move would be to descale your boiler. There are instructions at click here
CrashV5 Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Italy Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Nov 23, 2011, 11:04am Subject: Re: Found an old Olympia Express Cremina
Thanks IMAWriter for the suggest! i try it as soon as possible (i explain to my father how to do :-) ) my father open the machine to check inside parts (he said that all is in great condition), it says that the small black button , when pushed, could increase the level of steam so you can make a cappuccino in a more fast way, any report about this function? as i said before, i didn't see any other Cremina with that button..
i've placed the Cremina on a on line market here in italy, and already get two request in about 5 hours :-) i ask for 800 euro :-)
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