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Date: 13 Jul 2006 09:20:20
From: Davesport
Subject: New Silvia. Slight leak. How to fix.
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I'm new to brewing espresso. My new Silvia has a small leak & I'd like to
fix it myself. During the pull I can see hot water dripping from the bottom
of the porta-filter. I'm assuming that there's a rubber gasket to seal the
porta-filter onto the bottom of the group that's passing. A couple of
questions.
1. When tightening the porta-filter onto the machine mine does'nt come to a
positive stop. I feel I could apply more pressure & get it a lot tighter.
Should it come to a positive stop or do I just apply "sufficient" force to
get it to seal ? I normally tighten things until they shear & then back them
off quarter of a turn :-(
2. If I've got to get the gasket out do I start by removing the small bolt
holding the gauze inside the group ?
Thx in advance Dave.
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 15:13:54
From: Marshall
Subject: Re: New Silvia. Slight leak. How to fix.
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On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 09:20:20 +0100, "Davesport"
<davesport@fastmail.fm > wrote:
>I'm new to brewing espresso. My new Silvia has a small leak & I'd like to
>fix it myself. During the pull I can see hot water dripping from the bottom
>of the porta-filter. I'm assuming that there's a rubber gasket to seal the
>porta-filter onto the bottom of the group that's passing. A couple of
>questions.
>
>1. When tightening the porta-filter onto the machine mine does'nt come to a
>positive stop. I feel I could apply more pressure & get it a lot tighter.
>Should it come to a positive stop or do I just apply "sufficient" force to
>get it to seal ? I normally tighten things until they shear & then back them
>off quarter of a turn :-(
>
>2. If I've got to get the gasket out do I start by removing the small bolt
>holding the gauze inside the group ?
>
>Thx in advance Dave.
There is no "positive stop." Although some Silvias seal with
relatively little force, most require a firm, two-handed approach: one
on the handle and the other on the machine to steady it. Your leaking
will soon stop.
Marshall
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 16:32:55
From: berger
Subject: Re: New Silvia. Slight leak. How to fix.
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I notice if I get a little carried away with updosing, i get a little leak
from the top, but otherwise no leaks for my 8 month old mrs. s.
"Marshall" <mrfuss@ihatespamearthlink.net > wrote in message
news:1locb2pcov7a9frtbddjru1vqpaqqvq09p@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 09:20:20 +0100, "Davesport"
> <davesport@fastmail.fm> wrote:
>
>>I'm new to brewing espresso. My new Silvia has a small leak & I'd like to
>>fix it myself. During the pull I can see hot water dripping from the
>>bottom
>>of the porta-filter. I'm assuming that there's a rubber gasket to seal the
>>porta-filter onto the bottom of the group that's passing. A couple of
>>questions.
>>
>>1. When tightening the porta-filter onto the machine mine does'nt come to
>>a
>>positive stop. I feel I could apply more pressure & get it a lot tighter.
>>Should it come to a positive stop or do I just apply "sufficient" force to
>>get it to seal ? I normally tighten things until they shear & then back
>>them
>>off quarter of a turn :-(
>>
>>2. If I've got to get the gasket out do I start by removing the small bolt
>>holding the gauze inside the group ?
>>
>>Thx in advance Dave.
>
> There is no "positive stop." Although some Silvias seal with
> relatively little force, most require a firm, two-handed approach: one
> on the handle and the other on the machine to steady it. Your leaking
> will soon stop.
>
> Marshall
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 06:13:09
From: Omniryx@gmail.com
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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Ian Smith wrote:
> The leak from around the portafilter seems quite common in new Sylvias
> (mine did it, I've seen several people report it). a
That certainly has been true in my case. When I first got Silvia, she
leaked around the gasket, even though I cranked the PF over pretty
hard. I figured I had a bad gasket and replaced it. Same thing.
Ditto each replacement since. They leak at first, then seem to tighten
up. The gasket has to seat itself over time?
Will
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 10:14:15
From: Jack Denver
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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The bottom of the gasket is flat - the top of the basket is curved. At
first, the gasket will meet the basket only at the crown of the curve and
form a poor seal, especially if you don't crank it hard. If you do crank
it, eventually the gasket will be impressed with a curve that mates with
more of the surface area of the basket and form a better seal. Ideally you
crank it right from the beginning when the gasket is still maleable.If you
don't eventually the rubber will harden and will no longer mold to the
basket and will never seal that well.
<Omniryx@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1152796389.382103.294800@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
> Ian Smith wrote:
>> The leak from around the portafilter seems quite common in new Sylvias
>> (mine did it, I've seen several people report it). a
>
> That certainly has been true in my case. When I first got Silvia, she
> leaked around the gasket, even though I cranked the PF over pretty
> hard. I figured I had a bad gasket and replaced it. Same thing.
> Ditto each replacement since. They leak at first, then seem to tighten
> up. The gasket has to seat itself over time?
>
> Will
>
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 12:20:52
From: Craig Andrews
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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"Jack Denver" <nunuvyer@netscape.net > wrote in message
news:frGdnX_KKpylyCvZnZ2dnUVZ_qGdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
>
> The bottom of the gasket is flat - the top of the basket is curved.
> At first, the gasket will meet the basket only at the crown of the
> curve and form a poor seal, especially if you don't crank it hard. If
> you do crank it, eventually the gasket will be impressed with a curve
> that mates with more of the surface area of the basket and form a
> better seal. Ideally you crank it right from the beginning when the
> gasket is still maleable.If you don't eventually the rubber will
> harden and will no longer mold to the basket and will never seal that
> well.
>
>
My Silvia's 5 years 2 months old & I've never replaced the grouphead
gasket. It's never leaked.
Craig.
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 16:49:57
From: Jack Denver
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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You should replace it. It's long overdue. The longer you wait the more
rocklike the gasket will become and the harder it will be to remove. This
should be done at least annually.
I don't know why people take perverse pride in not maintaining their
machines - "I've driven 25,0000 miles without changing my oil and my car
still runs."
"Craig Andrews" <alt.coffee@deletethis.rogers.com > wrote in message
news:4hna74Fd1hiU1@individual.net...
>
> "Jack Denver" <nunuvyer@netscape.net> wrote in message
> news:frGdnX_KKpylyCvZnZ2dnUVZ_qGdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>>
>> The bottom of the gasket is flat - the top of the basket is curved. At
>> first, the gasket will meet the basket only at the crown of the curve and
>> form a poor seal, especially if you don't crank it hard. If you do crank
>> it, eventually the gasket will be impressed with a curve that mates with
>> more of the surface area of the basket and form a better seal. Ideally
>> you crank it right from the beginning when the gasket is still
>> maleable.If you don't eventually the rubber will harden and will no
>> longer mold to the basket and will never seal that well.
>>
>>
>
> My Silvia's 5 years 2 months old & I've never replaced the grouphead
> gasket. It's never leaked.
> Craig.
>
>
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 16:54:49
From: Craig Andrews
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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"Jack Denver" <nunuvyer@netscape.net > wrote in message
news:BPudnWuTrI9qLCvZnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> You should replace it. It's long overdue. The longer you wait the
> more rocklike the gasket will become and the harder it will be to
> remove. This should be done at least annually.
>
Yes, I know all that Jack, thanks. It's still soft & pliable. Maybe
soon. {:-)
Craig.
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 05:42:53
From: daveb
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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Smith the SNIDE.
thanks pal.
Ian Smith wrote:
> On 13 Jul 2006 04:12:50 -0700, daveb <davebobblane@gmail.com> wrote:
> > CfC is right.
> >
> > Crank it over to the right, HARD, it won't 'shear' -- there should be
> > a red dot. You may pull to align the handle with that dot.
>
> Apparently only in america. The rest of the world survives without
> red dots on their Sylvias, so if you don't have one, don't worry.
>
> The leak from around the portafilter seems quite common in new Sylvias
> (mine did it, I've seen several people report it). It goes away, but
> I'm not sure if it goes away because the O-ring beds in, or if it goes
> away because the operator loses their fear of cranking it ovber as
> hard as it will go.
>
> regards, Ian SMith
> --
>
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 19:58:42
From: Danny
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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daveb wrote:
> Smith the SNIDE.
>
> thanks pal.
What's the point of that rudeness? Perfectly reasonable observations
from Ian - we don't have Silvias with red dots here (I've never heard
of one anyway), and it's normal to be gentle at first, until you
realise how much force can safely be applied to the pf.
--
Regards, Danny
http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/EU ordering for Malabar Gold blend)
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 21:17:35
From: Marshall
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 19:58:42 +0100, Danny
<danny@nospam.gaggia-espresso.com > wrote:
>daveb wrote:
>> Smith the SNIDE.
>>
>> thanks pal.
>
>What's the point of that rudeness?
Ian has a history of gratuitous anti-American remarks here. His
comment was not a casual observation.
Marshall
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Date: 14 Jul 2006 06:40:48
From: Ian Smith
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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On Thu, 13 Jul 2006, Marshall <mrfuss@ihatespamearthlink.net > wrote:
> On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 19:58:42 +0100, Danny
> <danny@nospam.gaggia-espresso.com> wrote:
>
> >daveb wrote:
> >> Smith the SNIDE.
> >>
> >> thanks pal.
> >
> >What's the point of that rudeness?
>
> Ian has a history of gratuitous anti-American remarks here. His
> comment was not a casual observation.
Of course it wasn't - it was 100% accurate neutral observation.
Only american silvias have dots - everyone else manages without a dot,
so making comments about the dot is liable to confuse further a new
owner who possibly doesn't have a dot. Hence the observation - only
american silvias have a dot, don't worry if yours doesn't.
What, exactly, is gratuitously anti-american about this? It is fact.
I can't understand how you can possibly tajke offence at it. How can
you convey the information that america is the only place to have dots
on their silvias other than to say that silvias only have dots in
america?
Wow, you lot are jumpy.
regards, Ian SMith
--
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 07:50:16
From: St. John Smythe
Subject: Re: New Silvia. Slight leak. How to fix.
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Davesport wrote:
> 1. When tightening the porta-filter onto the machine mine does'nt come to a
> positive stop. I feel I could apply more pressure & get it a lot tighter.
There's your answer.
--
St. John
We will have solar energy as soon as the utility companies solve one
technical problem - how to run a sunbeam through a meter.
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 04:12:50
From: daveb
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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CfC is right.
Crank it over to the right, HARD, it won't 'shear' -- there should be
a red dot. You may pull to align the handle with that dot.
There is nothing wrong with the gasket. -- the bolt? remove that
once a week and clean the screen and what is above it with soapy water
and all around inside the brew head -- then rinse well!
Dave
www.hitechespresso.com
Davesport wrote:
> I'm new to brewing espresso. My new Silvia has a small leak & I'd like to
> fix it myself. During the pull I can see hot water dripping from the bottom
> of the porta-filter. I'm assuming that there's a rubber gasket to seal the
> porta-filter onto the bottom of the group that's passing. A couple of
> questions.
>
> 1. When tightening the porta-filter onto the machine mine does'nt come to a
> positive stop. I feel I could apply more pressure & get it a lot tighter.
> Should it come to a positive stop or do I just apply "sufficient" force to
> get it to seal ? I normally tighten things until they shear & then back them
> off quarter of a turn :-(
>
> 2. If I've got to get the gasket out do I start by removing the small bolt
> holding the gauze inside the group ?
>
> Thx in advance Dave.
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 12:40:14
From: Ian Smith
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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On 13 Jul 2006 04:12:50 -0700, daveb <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote:
> CfC is right.
>
> Crank it over to the right, HARD, it won't 'shear' -- there should be
> a red dot. You may pull to align the handle with that dot.
Apparently only in america. The rest of the world survives without
red dots on their Sylvias, so if you don't have one, don't worry.
The leak from around the portafilter seems quite common in new Sylvias
(mine did it, I've seen several people report it). It goes away, but
I'm not sure if it goes away because the O-ring beds in, or if it goes
away because the operator loses their fear of cranking it ovber as
hard as it will go.
regards, Ian SMith
--
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 08:53:52
From: St. John Smythe
Subject: Re: New Silvia. 'leak' - fixed.
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Ian Smith wrote:
> The leak from around the portafilter seems quite common in new Sylvias
> (mine did it, I've seen several people report it). It goes away, but
> I'm not sure if it goes away because the O-ring beds in, or if it goes
> away because the operator loses their fear of cranking it over as
> hard as it will go.
One from column A, one from column B.
--
St. John
The grand leap of the whale up the Fall of Niagara is esteemed, by all
who have seen it, as one of the finest spectacles in nature.
-Benjamin Franklin.
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Date: 13 Jul 2006 10:18:56
From: Coffee for Connoisseurs
Subject: Re: New Silvia. Slight leak. How to fix.
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Tighten it up harder, you won't break it.
--
Alan
alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au
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