plindy Senior Member Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Posts: 33 Location: Seattle Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: SJ Pharos Lido HG-One
Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013, 1:54am Subject: Re: Oscar PSTAT adjustment needed?
You should really pull the 3 way completely apart and check for broken bits. On replacing the valve make sure it's seated fully, as far in, as possible.
IMO there is no need for a lock nut, as it increases the internal space for the valve to travel within the brass body. The lock or stop nut is to maintain position of the fitting above it. Measure with and without the nut and decide for yourself. As the internal depth of the valve body, may have changed.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013, 5:16am Subject: Re: Oscar PSTAT adjustment needed?
Well that was fun. Everything seemed to be going perfectly with the new valve when the problem returned--occasional stoppage of flow and irregular pressure. On Plindy's advice, I removed the 3-way valve while the machine was hot and at pressure (yes, I know this was dangerous) and it spectacularly blew out a little chunk of the old retention valve. After putting everything back together, there's still the problem but it isn't as bad. I think this is as good as it's going to get without the HX being completely flushed out and the group coming off, which I don't have the time or expertise to do. I'm pretty sure there's still bits of the old valve traveling around my HX (hence the noise and intermittent nature of the problem). I did use a shop vac and a micro hose to suck out the bottom part of the HX before I put the new valve in but didn't see anything come out. Plindy, I didn't want to push the new valve in too hard, but it seemed snug and I seated it by gently screwing the brass housing onto the pipe all the way without the spacer nut on.
I suppose I may be able to take comfort in the fact that someday the little piece(s) of plastic will melt and grind away to the point where they come shooting out of the group during a flush as part of a shower screen clean. In the meantime, I will be doing my best to count my blessings and enjoy my nylon-flavored breves.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013, 10:00am Subject: Re: Oscar PSTAT adjustment needed?
Well, now you know what to look for. I think you will get it all taken care of and I am glad that he suggested checking the 3 way. I should have thought of that when you said there might be bits of the valve missing.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013, 9:59pm Subject: Re: Oscar PSTAT adjustment needed?
So how would be the best way to get these pieces out of the HX without tearing the machine apart? I'm thinking maybe just taking the front cover off, disconnecting the return line from the bottom of the group, putting the backflush insert on and running the pump. It'll make a mess, but wouldn't it flush anything that was rattling around in the HX or allow me to suck it out with a vacuum? I'd love to be able to take care of this without tearing Oscar apart. Aside from a leaky O-ring I need to get around to replacing on my 2 way valve, this would get Oscar working perfectly. Thanks!
plindy Senior Member Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Posts: 33 Location: Seattle Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: SJ Pharos Lido HG-One
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 2:51am Subject: Re: Oscar PSTAT adjustment needed?
Problem is that the ID of the HX is 4 times larger than the ID of the entrance and exit of the HX fittings.
Best would be a complete frame off restoration... Did my buddy's in 6 hours over the holidays; vac breaker, ovp, descale, new insulation, heater seal, and tap the head for 3.2 /3mm jets.
Is the 2way leak the solenoid, or the double union before it?
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 5:10am Subject: Re: Oscar PSTAT adjustment needed?
It works better than it has in a while after replacing the retention valve and blew out some more of the old one. Why would I need to frame-off restore it? I may pay you to take a look at it :) All that work sounds tempting (minus the heater seal, which I had done a few months ago). It's pulling some good shots and seems to work okay. It's just the occasional time the hunks of valve travel around and cause an intermittent flow. It's annoying to be sure, but how would taking everything out fix that though?
The leak is between the double connector and the 2 way. You can clearly see a shredded rubber seal and it looks like an easy fix with a regular o-ring (correct me if I'm wrong). The reason I never noticed it much is because it doesn't seem to leak once the machine is at temperature.
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