December week 1

Oh what fun it is...

Too many fix ups to list so I will mention two interesting items. An old La Riviera came in with no heat. Found the pressure stat was mechanically jammed and easily got it heating up - only to find the piston seals were so worn that they would not allow it to build pressure. As the unit is quite old, I had track down a set of o rings... Once in hand I had not much trouble replacing them. This is a spring loaded lever and using a clamp is essential in getting the piston back in. All back together & a very nice home espresso maker.

Also I had a mysterious leak on an Expobar. Thought it might have been a seal or the tube that sends over pressure to the drip tray (redirected the over pressure to the water tank). After much searching, I found a faulty gasket in the Ulka pump was the culprit. Additionally the vac valve was scaled and leaky as well.

November 1st week

The repair biz has been steady with a lot of typical issues ranging from solenoids to boilers. This week saw a burnt out pump on a Starbucks Barista (ya I fix them too), a leaky Giotto and a frustrating Kitchen Aid/Gaggia rebrand.

The pic to the right is the disemboweled KitAid. The KitAid is an interesting idea... A dual boiler made with Gaggia parts and wrapped in a big bubbly aluminum body. It came in with a non functioning boiler on the brew side. After a fair amount of wrangling to get the cover off it was a quick TS to find a bad thermostat. Also the 2nd boiler had a steam seep at the base that was releasing moisture. I pulled it off and re-set it with a new gasket and some locktight for good measure. Putting the thing back together was a total pain in the behind! These are pretty cool units but they have a bunch of weak plastic consumer grade parts...

The rest of September

We have had a slew of Home unit repairs. Several Silvia's a few Pavoni's and a rare Rancilio Lucy.

Silvia's needed typical repairs. Most common we get are blocked solenoid, burnt out boiler, leaky steam valve. Replaced a stock steam aasy with the v3 for one customer.

Pavoni issues included gasket sets, a completely pulled apart electrical assy & a descale/inspection/tuneup.

The old Lucy needed a tune up, new steam valve assy & burr set. The Lucy was a nice unit - wish Rancilio would bring her back!

Wednesday Sept. 9th 2009

Expobar Office

Another pressure stat "eats it."

Notes on Expobar Office:

This is a low cost HX with volume dosing (push button panel). User is an avid coffeegeek and all around good guy. no gauge for brew or boiler psi.

Reason for service:

"Pop, hissssssssss"

Diagnostic & Repair:

Looked to be either a spent pressure stat or possibly a bad safety valve. After a bit of monitoring , determined that... another p-stat "eats it." Replaced with a MATER. Using a group thermostat, I set the boiler to produce 204 f. after robust flushing routine. Temp before flushing runs up to 211 f.

Sept 3 2009

La Spaziale S1

Onsite rescue at busy tech co. in Silicon Valley.

Notes on the unit:

This is the La Spaziale S1 double boiler espresso machine. Set up as 15 amp service. It is used by a bunch of coffee geeks at a tech co. I have been surprised how well it has held up in this demanding environment.

Reason for service:

Office manager called to report leaking water on floor - she unplugged & shut water valve. The coffeegeeks were getting antsy for their coffee!

Diagnostic & Repair:

Found the group solenoid was jammed allowing water to flow directly to drip tray (overfilling it quickly). Removed solenoid to determine if needed replacement. After thorough cleaning and installation the unit was working as it should. Instructed the OM to back flush to prevent the problem.

8/22/09 ECM Giotto

ECM Giotto

Another home unit suffers from excessive scale...

Notes on this model:

Well known equipment maker ECM of Italy has been selling the Giotto for home users for several years. The components are average quality for the class. Lacks a group pressure gauge.

Reason For service:

Customer has had recurring issues with leaks on boiler fittings. Pressure stat may be bad. Requests to have hot water dispenser removed and to have a group pressure gauge installed.

Diagnostic & Repair:

Found the level probe was not responding, causing boiler to overfill (scale damage). Vac valve leaks (scale damage). Removed hot water assy. and found fittings, tubes fairly choked with scale. Will Descale entire system. Group pressure gauge will require some creativity to mount without awkward appearance. P-stat is operating as it should - i will confirm that customer wants it swapped.

Installed a Group pressure gauge in the hot water opening. works perfect, looks pretty good. I had to cut a piece of pipe to mount the gauge on the surface of the unit...

8/16/09 Tech Log Blog

Elektra Maxi

This week saw a repair on a commercial 2 group Espresso Machine by Elektra.

Some notes on the design:

Elektra (e-61 type) groups

Steam & Water paddle valves (cool)

Retro post modern design

Reason for Service: Owner states left group no flow. Owner wants to sell machine so wants a tune up and complete service.

Diagnostic & Repair: Left Group has completely jammed with mineral deposit. Leaky safety valve, vac valve & mineral stains on exterior of boiler suggest excessive scale build up throughout. Removed L group and completely disassemble & acid bath. Solenoid stem is packed with scale. Group head scale blockage requires careful removal by power drill (nice that Elektra has a purge hole at front of group). WOW that was a lot of scale! R group not as bad with scale - Cleaned out and tested; ok.

Descale main boiler and HX's

Replaced vac valve and safety valve

Test for temp & pressure

8/15/09 tech log blog

Mini Wega

Worked on a mini wega today. This is a single group commercial espresso machine being used by a home barista for home use. The mini wega is a very nicely made unit with a rotary vane pump plumbed in.

Some notes on the design:

e-61 type group

boiler has separate HX for hot water & group

sturdy heavy duty construction

no group pressure gauge

rotary pump

Reason for Service: Owner removed boiler to descale and now it will not heat. Also requests install of Sirai P-stat to replace stock mini stat.

Diagnostic & Repair: Continuity check verifies blown heater. Boiler position requires removal to replace the heating element. Removal is not bad as all fittings are accessible with body panels removed. Installed new heater and replaced boiler. Refill boiler heat up & test fittings for leaks. Replacing Sirai requires re-shaping the copper tubing to a lower position in order to fit. Setting Sirai to produce group temp of 203 f. Test group pressure & Temp.