jgottlieb Senior Member Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Denver, CO Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed May 16, 2012, 4:23pm Subject: Re: Silvia - I think she's dead! - HELP
Ok, so an update. I apologize as I had to move and the Silvia repair had to take a back seat.
So I finally took the machine apart and pulled out the boiler. I've included some photos. There was probably a good 3/4 inch of sediment in the bottom of the boiler. There is some residue on the actual heating element which I've tried to clean up (no idea on the best way).
I also cleaned out the 3-way solenoid which had gotten completely clogged.
So to refresh everyone on the initial issue, the boiler seemed to be going crazy, overheating etc. I have a feeling it might have gotten left on too long boiled dry. Anyway, at some point suddenly the boiler spit out all this nasty stuff which I now realize was all the silt which for some reason or another had gotten stirred up (guessing the boiler thermostat got stuck and overheated?) This clogged the 3-way solenoid of course and then I started having the machine trip the GFI breaker.
So, now I've torn it down and cleaned it up... My big question is, is there anyway to know whether I actually need to order a replacement boiler or not. Before I spend $125 on a new boiler I really want to see if I can authoritatively say whether the boiler is dead or not.
Should I just put humpty dumpty back together again and see if it sorts itself out?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Joshua
And I apologize for the X-post... But there were different people offering different advice on this forum and home-barista.com. I just wanted to update this thread as well.
Posted Wed May 16, 2012, 11:11pm Subject: Re: Silvia - I think she's dead! - HELP
Carefully look at the heating element. If you see even a pin hole the heating element is gone. If you don't see a hole but wan't to be sure before putting it together measure the resistance from one of the heater terminals to the case. It should be many megohms. To be even more sure submerge the heater in some salty water while you are making the measurement. Be sure you keep the outside of the boiler dry as you make the measurement.
Phil
jgottlieb Said:
Ok, so an update. I apologize as I had to move and the Silvia repair had to take a back seat.
So I finally took the machine apart and pulled out the boiler. I've included some photos. There was probably a good 3/4 inch of sediment in the bottom of the boiler. There is some residue on the actual heating element which I've tried to clean up (no idea on the best way).
I also cleaned out the 3-way solenoid which had gotten completely clogged.
So to refresh everyone on the initial issue, the boiler seemed to be going crazy, overheating etc. I have a feeling it might have gotten left on too long boiled dry. Anyway, at some point suddenly the boiler spit out all this nasty stuff which I now realize was all the silt which for some reason or another had gotten stirred up (guessing the boiler thermostat got stuck and overheated?) This clogged the 3-way solenoid of course and then I started having the machine trip the GFI breaker.
So, now I've torn it down and cleaned it up... My big question is, is there anyway to know whether I actually need to order a replacement boiler or not. Before I spend $125 on a new boiler I really want to see if I can authoritatively say whether the boiler is dead or not.
Should I just put humpty dumpty back together again and see if it sorts itself out?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Joshua
And I apologize for the X-post... But there were different people offering different advice on this forum and home-barista.com. I just wanted to update this thread as well.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,685 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Thu May 17, 2012, 5:47am Subject: Re: Silvia - I think she's dead! - HELP
That heater has had a tough life. You need to be POSITIVELY certain that there is no issue with the element.
If in doubt, spend the money and replace it, you have gone through all the trouble of taking it all apart and to put it back together with a marginal element, in my OPINION, would be a shame.
When you do reassemble, I advise using SS screws in place of the carbon steel ones that are stock. You can buy them at a good hardware store for only a couple of bucks..... much more for each screw online from a parts house from what I remember when I looked. I think I paid about 35 cents each at Mc Fadden Dale hardware (an industrial hardware store, not a big box store though a big box store MAY have the screws)
Another way to look at things is that you have had good service for a lot of years, for the same machine new or on the used market you will spend a lot more to replace it than to repair it and if you repair it, you will have a like new machine on the inside..... where it counts most. This is the time also to consider a PID upgrade, this will drastically improve that machine.
Just a few random thoughts. Good luck!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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