jgunn Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Seacoast, NH Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Mar 26, 2012, 2:37pm Subject: Re: The Starbucks Sirena Thread (and PID)
You're welcome, happy to share what I know.
(Sirena Williams, groan)
So, I can't say for sure what the exact modifications were because the machine was already in that state when I got it. However, based on the brief mention in the SCG Sirena video on youtube (the one specifically about their refurbs, not the earlier crew review - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Lyomhq92Q) it sounds like they are doing exactly what you did with the hose - re-route it to remove the kink. Since the tube is plastic on the inside rather than copper, the heat of the water and the tight kink over time causes cracks.
Also from the video, with the steam knob, the stop that keeps you from opening the knob too far was coming loose, I guess they attached it in some way to keep that from happening.
The support folks there have been mighty cool to me via email and they sell parts - I bet if you emailed them, they'd tell you what they did to the knob in the hopes that they could sell you the parts. ;)
As far as the PID goes, I have all the parts but it might be a week or two before I get a chance to crack it open again and wire it up. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for the info. Yes, please post pictures of your work - lots! I would love to do this myself and any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. For example, what kind of PID did you purchased from eBay?
Searching high and low for any tips or instructions on replacement of the brew head gasket on the Starbucks Sirena. My nearly three year unit gets heavy use and the gasket is no longer sealing properly when the portafilter is inserted. I've replaced gaskets on old Gaggia Coffee and Gaggia Espresso models, but it looks like the Sirena may require a different technique. Appreciate the heck out of it if someone can offer some input here.
There's nothing much to it. I replaced mine a few weeks ago and all I did was wedge a flat-head screwdriver carefully underneath the gasket and then slowly pried it up on one side until I could grasp it with my fingers. Then I just kept pulling and using the screwdriver to give me more leverage when needed. It pulled out in one piece. I then cleaned the area where that gasket was very well and made sure it was spotless then I put the new one in. Once it was mostly all the way in I then inserted the portafilter and locked it in as far as it could go to help push the gasket all the way into place. Take off the shower screen first before attempting to take the gasket out.
I'm curious on your machine where does your portafilter lock into place completely? Mine locks in completely at around the 5 o'clock position, even with the new gasket.
There's nothing much to it. I replaced mine a few weeks ago and all I did was wedge a flat-head screwdriver carefully underneath the gasket and then slowly pried it up on one side until I could grasp it with my fingers. Then I just kept pulling and using the screwdriver to give me more leverage when needed. It pulled out in one piece. I then cleaned the area where that gasket was very well and made sure it was spotless then I put the new one in. Once it was mostly all the way in I then inserted the portafilter and locked it in as far as it could go to help push the gasket all the way into place. Take off the shower screen first before attempting to take the gasket out.
I'm curious on your machine where does your portafilter lock into place completely? Mine locks in completely at around the 5 o'clock position, even with the new gasket.
Appreciate the advice. I was looking at the brew group and where the brew gasket goes in there appeared to be a lip that might interfere with removing the old gasket and inserting the new but short of disassembling the machine and pulling the boiler I couldn't see a way to get that lip out of the way. I take it from your reply that this isn't really an issue and I should be able to just carefully lever the old gasket out and work the new one into place.
As for where the portafilter locks, mine doesn't ever actually "lock" so I assume what you're asking is where it is when it is inserted, sealed and ready to brew. The answer to that until just recently was that the six O'clock position (straight out) was normal, tight and leak free when brewing even when I overtamped or had a new grind that choked/stalled the machine. But now I am having to push it over to at least the five O'clock position to get a seal and even then sometimes it still leaks.
Really can't complain about the service I have had out this machine. I bought it as a refurb from that Seattle place for 149 dollars and in the near three years I've had it, it has probably averaged producing five to seven espressos or lattes every day. Wear is beginning to show in some areas like the aforementioned brew head gasket and also on the steam control valve (which now drips/leaks constantly when pulling shots whereas until just recently it did not.) So five+ espressos/lattes a day times 1000 or so days is 5k or more servings. Based on what I paid, that works out to about three cents each and that's pretty hard to beat.
Thanks again for the advice on the brew gasket. I'll get one ordered and see how it goes.
Additionally, Seattle Coffee Gear refurb'd and resold a bunch of these they acquired. Might be worth contacting them to see if they can help repair. Otherwise, you might get to be in the market for a new machine!!
twmv Junior Member Joined: 20 Apr 2013 Posts: 1 Location: tulsa Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: cuadra 2 Grinder: vario Vac Pot: yama Drip: technivorm Roaster: hottop b
Posted Wed May 15, 2013, 10:23pm Subject: Re: The Starbucks Sirena Thread
i recently got a cuadra that i absolutely love but still check craigslist sometimes out of habit. i had never heard of a sirena but saw one with four cups and two shot glasses for $30 and got it for $25 so i couldnt pass it up. after running cafiza thru and descaling i pulled a couple pressurized shots that i tossed then tamped a couple shots with the disc out. i was surprised how good they were. guess i will drain it and probably keep it for one of my kids. no telling how long it will run but its the best 25 bucks ive spent in a long time
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