boecycle Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Montana Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Nov 23, 2011, 4:31am Subject: La Pavoni Europiccola boiler leak
Hi all, I am fixing a lever operated home machine for a friend. Due to improper maintanence, I had to massively descale the boiler and I replaced the pressure stat and pressure relief valve. I also replaced the boiler o-ring when I had it all apart. The machine functions properly now, however it leaks from the boiler seal only after it cools down. I have taken it apart countless times to try and reseal it. I applied food grade silicone to the o-ring each time. I'm pretty frustrated with the design of the boiler and how the heating element plate attaches to a plastic ring that moves on the threads of the boiler. I have gotten the plastic ring about as tight as I can get it onto the base to prevent the top from spinning on the base. Any suggestions would be greratly appreciated. Chris
stefano65 Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 1,334 Location: Eugene OR Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Vibiemme,Elektra, Grinder: Vario,Macap, Vac Pot: not Drip: not Roaster: not
Posted Wed Nov 23, 2011, 9:02am Subject: Re: La Pavoni Europiccola boiler leak
couple of toughs
make sure that IF you are using the o-ring (p7ss) you have a stainless steel heating element
if your HE is not SS and you have the copper and brass older style you need a flat gasket (p7) then if you change the HE to integrate the SS to a machine that had the Brass/copper one did you change to the 3 shorter screws has well (p18ss)? if not the screw will bottom out before sealing completely assuming of course that the flange it is screw down all the way
if none of the above are the issues then you might just need to clean the edge of the boiler to make it flatter or you might have a wrapped HE
boecycle Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Montana Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Dec 2, 2011, 6:49am Subject: Re: La Pavoni Europiccola boiler leak
Thanks Stefano, all good thoughts. I have not received the machine back from my friend yet to try any of these suggestions. The o-ring that I pulled out of the machine looks identical to the one I replaced. I could always be wrong, especially if the differences are small. I'm pretty sure that the element is stainless. I haven't tried polishing it to see. After descaling, the element was a very dull finish. I think the machine is from 2003-2004. The date is starting to rub off the decal. The bolts are 5mm allen heads. I don't think they are too long, but will check when I get it back. My thought is the top of the machine moved on the base when they got it back causing the boiler seal to break. It's always frustrating when something doesn't work out. I'll find the problem soon enough. Thanks again. Chris
boecycle Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Montana Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Dec 3, 2011, 8:46am Subject: Re: La Pavoni Europiccola boiler leak
Finally got the machine back. The top did loosen up from the base. I can't seem to be able to get the plastic flange secure enough to achieve a permanent seal on the boiler flange. Any suggestions for getting the plastic flange tight enough to not slip? A person can get alot of torque on the piston handle to cause the top to break free from the base. I did not replace the paper gaskets between the top and base. They are still in ok shape. Chris
boecycle Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Montana Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Dec 13, 2011, 5:58pm Subject: Re: La Pavoni Europiccola boiler leak
So machine is up and running. The switch burned out along the way so I had to replace it. Maybe from the water leak? Does anyone know how often the boiler should cycle on this machine- meaning how frequent does the green light go off and come on? Thanks.
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