YPClayConry Senior Member Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Belle Fourche Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu May 17, 2012, 1:31pm Subject: Tear down, descale and reassemble 3 Group Aurelia
Hello.
New here. I have owned a coffee shop for about 5 years now and we have had the same machine (3 Group Nuova Simonelli Aurelia) since day one. We operate in a rural town in Western South Dakota where the water is pretty hard. We have come to a point where bi-yearly descaling isn't cutting it (I have since been told by a local plumber that it should probably be done every other month).
It appears to me that I need to do a full tear down, descale and reassemble of our machine (one group head will only spit air [no water] even with screen removed).
Any guides in helping to accomplish this?
Does it sound like I am on the right track?
Will a tear down, descale and reassemble fix the problem?
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,642 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, 1:47pm Subject: Re: Tear down, descale and reassemble 3 Group Aurelia
HI and welcome!
Yes it sounds like it is time. Due to the pretty heavy duty chemicals you likely will need to do a good job of cleaning, I would ask around for service at a shop rather than doing it yourself. I know it will cost more but I would wager that the job will be done faster and things that you didn't know about might be found and fixed by someone who is used to working inside these machines.
By all means if you think you can do it yourself, give it a try but it will need a 100% tear down and everything will need a soak in heavy duty chemicals.
Do you have a company that supplies you with service? They might be able to set you up with a loaner machine while yours is being serviced.
Again, welcome to the board!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Thu May 17, 2012, 2:01pm Subject: Re: Tear down, descale and reassemble 3 Group Aurelia
I second the idea of a loaner machine, I believe it will take hours to soak it, not counting dismantle and rebuild time. I would guess it would take at least 2 or 3 days in the shop, and that doesn't account for transport time. (or get a new one and use this one as back up if your water is that hard you might need to do a full tear down descale every 6 months)
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
ryecarr01 Senior Member Joined: 2 Nov 2011 Posts: 44 Location: north east Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri May 18, 2012, 4:32am Subject: Re: Tear down, descale and reassemble 3 Group Aurelia
Giving it a go yourself is by no means impossible and I would personally encourage you to do so.
I have stripped down lots and lots fo machines, it started off as a hobby mainly and I would pick machines up from eBay and get stuck into them.
There are a few basic steps to take when doing this;
Pictures. Take lots of pictures, of the machine before you start, with panels removed, as you disassemble parts, all the way to the bare frame. It may seem like a chore but you will thank yourself no end when you come to put it back together.
Labelling. As you take off a part ie pipe, use some pvc electrical tape and a marker pen to label the part, for example 'left hand steam wand'. This will also save you alot of time later on.
Descaling. Get hold of a large tank that will fit your components. Fill this with an acid based liquid, you can use a standard brick cleaner but dose it down with water. Also try not to fill the tank more than half full as you may get foaming from the acid if limescale is heavily present. Leave it over night to properly soak in.
Rinsing. You must thoroughly rinse all the pipework and the boiler adn the group heads with fresh clean running water. Do this 2 or 3 times to make sure they are properly rinsed.
Cleaning/Polishing. Scotch pads work great for polishing up pipework and for gettting into the group heads to remove the dirt and oils. Obviously while you are on it will be worth your while to fit the group heads with new gaskets, seals and shower plates.
Reassemble. Try and work methodically so that the last thing you took out, it the first thing you put back.
Take your time while you are doing this and use common sense, ie dont dunk the manometer into the tank of descale. You will get great satisfaction in the job and you will come out of the other end with a great looking machine at minimal cost and also you will have a better understanding of how your machine works which is always great to have.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do, if you want to ask me any questions you can email me if you wish, i will be mroe than happy to help ryan.carr6@gmail.com
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri May 18, 2012, 9:08am Subject: Re: Tear down, descale and reassemble 3 Group Aurelia
I agree he will learn a lot. But he is a businessman and can't afford to be without a machine for a week or 2 while he figures out what he's doing and gets parts shipped to him. If he can rent or buy a back up that is a good plan if he is handy.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
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