Loranzo espresso machine - the beat goes on

Parts are now ordered and hopefully will arrive in the next two weeks.

We filter and soften the water in the house.  The service guy way by today and I spoke with him about additional filtering for the espresso machine.  He thought it was a good idea.  He also suggested putting a bit of bleach through the machine to remove the taste.

When I collected the machine I also got a 3 stage filter system.  It's in rough shape (the bracket is rather rusted) but serviceable   I'll clean it up and install it in the water feed line.  This will also allow me to introduce descaler into the system.  Here's what it looks like disassembled:

Three stages.  1 2 micron filter and 2 activated carbons are the plan.

Filter holders are gross and will need to be thoroughly cleaned.

The filters proper are trash.  I can buy replacements at Home Depot or over the net.  I'll probably install a 1 or 2 micron filter and 2 carbon filters.  The filter containers are gross inside and will need a through cleaning.

Issues:

• Should I drain the boiler?  Shoud I descale? - DEFERRED
• Parts - OPEN
• Karma is ordering 
• Steam wand
• Group head O ring
• 2 shot basket
• 2 shot spout
• back flush basket
• 3 way valve
• Pressure gauge - Seems OK.
• Pressurestat - Seems OK
• Install filters

CURRENT PARTS LIST:

• Steam wand - Looks like Espresso Parts has an after market wand at a reasonable price (>$40).  Karma will order.
• Citric acid: I'm going to defer this for the moment.  
• Amazon offers "Spicy World Citric Acid, 5-Pound"
•  Are 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid per liter the correct concentration?
• Portafilter - Espresso parts is a source or Dave may be able to help
• Double basket
• Double portafilter spout
• Backflush disk
• Group head gasket - Espresso Parts has part.  It is described as  RANCILIO GROUP HEAD PORTAFILTER GASKET - 74 X 57 X 8.2MM.  There is an aftermarket part as well described as "An economical alternative to the O.E.M. gasket. 73.5 x 57 x 8mm."
• Three-way Lucifer - Parker Solenoid valve 110V 50/60Hz 9W Part number 491514P3 D400P3.
• Filters
• 8" filters ( 1 or 2 micron and 2 activated carbon )
• valves to install filters as needed

CURRENT TODO LIST:

• Buy/acquire needed parts
• Replace three way valve
• Replace group head gasket
• Replace steam wand
• Flush machine to resolve taste
• Install filter system

Related articles

• Loranzato espresso machine - leaks & three way valve

Loranzato espresso machine - leaks & three way valve

On the leak front I've fabricated a better drain arrangement.

New drain arrangement with 90 elbow to avoid crimping drain line.

Hopefully this will resolve the water problem.

I took the 3 way valve off and disassembled it.  Here's what it looks like connected with a good shot of the color codes.

Color codes on 3 way valve.

With some difficulty I was able to remove the valve.  There is a good description of the valve here.  Since the valve was not working I decided to take it apart with a view that trying to repair it.  Here's the valve partially disassembled.

Three way valve removed and partially disassembled.

I disassembled the valve guide (base and nucleus).  Here's what I found.

Disassembled base and nucleus.

When I examined it closely I found that a spring was broken.  This spring holds the valve closed.

There's a good description of 3 way valves here.  Based on this the valve is a 3 way valve with a flange body 110v coil and ruby valve nucleus.

Karma Dave said he'd order one.

Issues:

• Should I drain the boiler?  Shoud I descale? - DEFERRED
• Parts - OPEN
• Karma is ordering 
• Steam wand
• Group head O ring
• 2 shot basket
• 2 shot spout
• back flush basket
• Drips from three-way valve - need to replace valve
• Pressure gauge - Seems OK.
• Pressurestat - Seems OK

CURRENT PARTS LIST:

• Steam wand - Looks like Espresso Parts has an after market wand at a reasonable price (>$40).  Karma will order.
• Citric acid: I'm going to defer this for the moment.  
• Amazon offers "Spicy World Citric Acid, 5-Pound"
•  Are 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid per liter the correct concentration?
• Portafilter - Espresso parts is a source or Dave may be able to help
• Double basket
• Double portafilter spout
• Backflush disk
• Group head gasket - Espresso Parts has part.  It is described as  RANCILIO GROUP HEAD PORTAFILTER GASKET - 74 X 57 X 8.2MM.  There is an aftermarket part as well described as "An economical alternative to the O.E.M. gasket. 73.5 x 57 x 8mm."
• Three-way Lucifer - Parker Solenoid valve 110V 50/60Hz 9W Part number 491514P3 D400P3.

CURRENT TODO LIST:

• Buy/acquire needed parts
• Replace three way valve
• Flush machine to resolve taste
• Sort out drain hose issue.

Related articles

• Laranzato espresso machine - the adventure continues

Laranzato espresso machine - the adventure continues

On the leak front I've determines that the water came from the drip tray overflowing.  One would think this would be a simple problem to address.  One would be WRONG!  The tray is inappropriately shallow and connects to a hose that is intended to run to a sink/bucket.  Because of the machine structure the hose must make a fairly sharp bend.  It doesn't want to do this.  I'll have to work the issue a bit.

Notwithstanding the open issues I tried to pull a shot.  Discovered that the single shot portafilter basket holds about as much coffee as my home machine double shot basket!  Interesting.  Also discovered an important safety tip ... NEVER try to pull a shot on a machine with an old cracked group head gasket! If you do you'll end up with coffee mess all over.  Will now, sensibly, wait for replacement gasket.

After that misadventure the 3 way valve now leaks steadily.  I'll do a bit of research with a view to seeing if it can be cleaned or something.

Issues:

• Should I drain the boiler?  Shoud I descale? - DEFERRED
• Parts - OPEN
• Karma is ordering 
• Steam wand
• Group head O ring
• 2 shot basket
• 2 shot spout
• back flush basket
• Drips from three-way valve - need to replace valve
• Pressure gauge - Seems OK.
• Pressurestat - Seems OK

CURRENT PARTS LIST:

• Steam wand - Looks like Espresso Parts has an after market wand at a reasonable price (>$40).  Karma will order.
• Citric acid: I'm going to defer this for the moment.  
• Amazon offers "Spicy World Citric Acid, 5-Pound"
•  Are 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid per liter the correct concentration?
• Portafilter - Espresso parts is a source or Dave may be able to help
• Double basket
• Double portafilter spout
• Backflush disk
• Group head gasket - Espresso Parts has part.  It is described as  RANCILIO GROUP HEAD PORTAFILTER GASKET - 74 X 57 X 8.2MM.  There is an aftermarket part as well described as "An economical alternative to the O.E.M. gasket. 73.5 x 57 x 8mm."
• Three-way Lucifer - Parker Solenoid valve 110V 50/60Hz 9W Part number 491514P3 D400P3.

CURRENT TODO LIST:

• Buy/acquire needed parts
• Replace three way valve
• Flush machine to resolve taste
• Sort out drain hose issue.
• Try to clean 3 way valve.

Related articles

• Laranzato espresso machine - plumbed in but still more work

Who cares if it's a bit chilly and a bit wet - ERICKSON'S ICE CREAM IS OPEN

A sure sign of spring, Erickson's Ice Cream is open!  Never mind lunch!  Erickson's is open!  Oh, did I mention that Erickson's is open?

First ice cream run of the year.

Laranzato espresso machine - plumbed in but still more work

Reassembled machine and with the plumbing parts in hand I've plumbed in the Laranzato espresso machine!

As with all plumbing projects this one had its moments.

The shutoff valve was up and partially behind the sink!  I'll never understand what it is with plumbers.  Are they operating on the assumption that it will NEVER HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED or what?

Managed with some effort to turn the shutoff valve off.  It leaked!  I'm rather put out with the plumber since I'd been VERY CLEAR, no ball valve fixtures that dry out then leak the first time you touch them!  Frustration mounts.

Shutoff water in house and drain pressure so that I can proceed.  Say silent prayer to the plumbing gods that I'll not have to replace the valve.  Install John Guest 3 way valve.  It's a considerable challenge since it sits on top of the shutoff valve well behind the sink.  Somehow manage to get it on and seated.

Reconnect cold water line to top of John Guest valve.  This is a serious challenge since it's WAY BEHIND the sink.  Ask plumbing gods to condemn plumber to hell long enough for him to perform such operations a few billion times.  Somehow succeed!

Turn shutoff valve back on and pray that it won't leak.  Much to my surprise it doesn't!  Today might be a good day to buy a lottery ticket since the gods of fortune seem to be smiling.

Run plastic cold water line to espresso machine and attach.  All seems well!

Install drain line.

Route power cord.

It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!  It's alive!!

Turn machine on and wait for pressure to come up.

Everything seems to work ok!! Joy oh joy.

Run a couple of liters of water through to flush system.

Taste water.

Yetch!!  Not good not good at all.

Run more water through.

Oops, something's leaking.

Now searching for leak.

The three way valve is dripping steadily so that may be part of the problem.  Interesting article on theory, care and feeding of three way valves here.  It appears to be a Three-way Lucifer - Parker Solenoid valve 110V 50/60Hz 9W Part number 491514P3 D400P3.  Espresso parts has them for about $80.  Ebay for about $40.

Three way valve.  Image rotated 180 so can read writing.
Part number 491514P3 D400P3

Decide not to buy lottery ticket just yet.

Need to investigate possible leak, replace three way valve, and resolve taste.

Issues:

• Should I drain the boiler?  Shoud I descale? - DEFERRED
• Parts - OPEN
• Karma is ordering 
• Steam wand
• Group head O ring
• 2 shot basket
• 2 shot spout
• back flush basket
• Drips from three-way valve - need to replace valve
• Pressure gauge - Seems OK.
• Pressurestat - Seems OK

CURRENT PARTS LIST:

• Steam wand - Looks like Espresso Parts has an after market wand at a reasonable price (>$40).  Karma will order.
• Citric acid: I'm going to defer this for the moment.  
• Amazon offers "Spicy World Citric Acid, 5-Pound"
•  Are 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid per liter the correct concentration?
• Portafilter - Espresso parts is a source or Dave may be able to help
• Double basket
• Double portafilter spout
• Backflush disk
• Group head gasket - Espresso Parts has part.  It is described as  RANCILIO GROUP HEAD PORTAFILTER GASKET - 74 X 57 X 8.2MM.  There is an aftermarket part as well described as "An economical alternative to the O.E.M. gasket. 73.5 x 57 x 8mm."
• Three-way Lucifer - Parker Solenoid valve 110V 50/60Hz 9W Part number 491514P3 D400P3.

CURRENT TODO LIST:

• Buy/acquire needed parts
• Replace three way valve
• Flush machine to resolve taste

Related articles

• Laranzato espresso machine - Parts

Filing taxes - Done

I'm just about done with filing taxes and updating the three machines that still run Windows.  The Windows stuff was painful.  The taxes not so much, though it did take time.

One thing about the taxes that I'm a bit curious about.  The last few years we've gotten a federal refund but owed some state tax.  Why are Massachusetts taxes so different from federal taxes?  It doesn't make a great deal of sense particularly since some of our income is from federal securities not taxable by the state.  I guess it's just one of life's mysteries.

Laranzato espresso machine - Parts

Karma had the parts to plumb in the machine and will order the critical parts for the espresso machine.

Issues:

• Should I drain the boiler? - DEFERRED
• Parts - OPEN
• Karma was able to provide plumbing parts
• Karma is ordering 
• Steam wand
• Group head O ring
• 2 shot basket
• 2 shot spout
• back flush basket
• Drips from three-way valve - MOSTLY SOLVED
• Pressure gauge - DEFERRED
  I've decided to run the machine and see what happens.  Is 1 bar a reasonable pressure reading? Is it normal for the pressure to drop to 0 when drawing 0.5 liter of hot water? The system has a 4 liter tank!  Is it normal for the pressure to take 5 to 7 minutes to return to 1 bar? Is there normally some variation between 0.7 and 1.2 bar in the returning pressure? Is it normal for the safety valve to vent a bit of steam until boiler pressure returns? Is it normal for the antivacuum retaining clip to spin like a top until boiler pressure returns after dispensing 0.5 liter of hot water?  I may need to adjust the pressure stat. Since I'm new to this I didn't know what it was/looked like. Turns out this is it.
• Pressurestat - DEFERRED

CURRENT PARTS LIST:

• Steam wand - Looks like Espresso Parts has an after market wand at a reasonable price (<$40).  I'll talk to Dave today and see if he can help
• Citric acid: I'm going to defer this for the moment.  
• Amazon offers "Spicy World Citric Acid, 5-Pound"
•  Are 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid per liter the correct concentration?
• Portafilter - Espresso parts is a source or Dave may be able to help
• Double basket
• Double portafilter spout
• Backflush disk
• Group head gasket - Espresso Parts has part.  It is described as  RANCILIO GROUP HEAD PORTAFILTER GASKET - 74 X 57 X 8.2MM.  There is an aftermarket part as well described as "An economical alternative to the O.E.M. gasket. 73.5 x 57 x 8mm."
• Water source - Freshwater Systems has John Guest parts.  Dave may be able to supply them.
• John Guest Angle Stop Adapter Valve Lead-Free - 3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8
• 10' 3/8" tubing
• Connector to machine

CURRENT TODO LIST:

• Continue cleaning, cleaning, cleaning - I've got the machine mostly clean but need to go over it with some solvent to remove grease.
• Reassemble machine
• Buy/acquire needed parts
• Plumb in machine

Filing taxes - Hateful Windows updates

I actually don't mind filing taxes proper, but the process is a bit painful.

It starts with Windows.  I use Turbotax that runs only on Windows/Mac.  Now I don't have a Mac so I keep a boot of Windows on a couple of machines.  Day to day, however, I run Ubuntu.  The net of this is that the Windows installs don't get updated.  Step 1, then is to update Windows.

To say that this takes time is a monumental understatement.  Rather like saying that sending a spacecraft to the moon takes time.  I'm now about 3 hrs into installing sequential updates and hope to finish in about another hour with no more than 4 or 5 reboots.

As if it wasn't painful enough, the Windows updater is both slow and uninformative.  It's hard to tell if there is an update in process or what.  A web search yields a sort of solution, but really, shouldn't there be some status display.

Downloading Turbotax is simple enough, but it, rather reasonably, doesn't want to install while an update is in process.  So we wait, then wait, then wait, and then wait some more while Windows update does its work.

Along the way, Norton is screaming about being out of date since my Norton subscription is out of date.  It came with Comcast/Verizon but since I no longer use Comcast ( I happily fired them ) and Verizon has decided in its ill advised way to charge $10/month for a $60/year product that I don't really need I have to de-install it.  Since I don't much use Windows it makes sense to depend on the Microsoft Security Suite. Getting rid of Norton takes yet more time and another reboot or two.  During the de-install the machine can't be turned off.

Now nearly 4 hours later, I can install the previously downloaded Turbotax!  Now things get easy and I can file our tax returns.

Well, not so quick!  Turbotax needs to do its own updates.  I'm not entirely sure why since it was just downloaded.  But there is hope.

Tax time

Even the retired need to file! Nuf said!

Flame: Router failed, dealing with Verizon is painful

We use Verizon FIOS for internet and phone.  Basically, I like it.  Internet speed is good and the phone works.  No issues.

Sadly, the FIOS internet router recently started acting up.  It's Verizon equipment so I called them and had a somewhat inappropriate experience.

First, I tried to find a service number online.  There online presence would glaldly sell me something or direct me to some automated help site but did not provide an actual phone number!  If I live forever I'll never understand why companies, particularly on their help site, don't provide a phone number.  Really guys, your customer, you know the one you paid a lot of money to acquire and would like to retain so you don't have to pay a lot of money to replace them has a problem and needs help!  Failure to provide help does not improve the chance that the customer will continue to do business with you!  It really really really doesn't!!

Oh well, I dialed 1 800 VERIZON.  Go through a couple of IVR menu layers and get another phone number to call.  Now lets go slow here, Verizon is the phone company.  They know how to transfer calls.  I've seen them do it.  But no, lets not deliver service.  Instead lets deliver the implied message that we don't want to deliver service.  Dumb!

Call the second number, go through several more layers of IVR menus to get to one involving service for internet connections.  Help is just around the corner ... NOT!  Verizon wants to verify my account (never mind that when I finally do get to a human they'll ask me the same questions notwithstanding that I'm calling from a Verizon cell phone whose number will be used to pull up the account).

OK, lets verify the account.

Verizon wants to know my 10 digit account number, you know the one on your most recent bill.  That's right, the bill you don't have since you pay your bills online and Verizon wants you to use paperless billing.  Also, lets not worry that 10 digits is a BIG number.  Lets see, there are more or less 7 billion people on the planet so 10 digits is big enough that we each get one and some of us can get two.  Not to worry, they will verify based on the exact amount of the last bill.  Duh, if I don't have the bill and I can't get online what makes you think I know the last amount?  Dumb!

OK, lets try pressing 0 a few times to get out of the IVR to a human.  Verizon's IVR is dedicated to its programming.  'I don't understand that response' a few times in response to my pressing 0.  Things are not looking at all good.

Surprise, there are some clicks on the line.  It seems that the IVR system will time out.  Hurrah!  Of course the implied message is 'Verizon is willing to waste the customers time but will reluctantly let the customer speak to a human'.

Human answers!  Hooray!  Human verifies account based on my cell phone number.  Human wants to help but assumes I'm a nob.  I explain that I actually know what I'm doing, at least a bit.  Human has flow chart to address this class of problem and insist on following it.  Oh well, at least there's hope.

Go down several obviously blind paths, go up and down between ground and 3rd floor several times (try to convince myself that's it's really part of my health plan), clear my browser cache unnecessarily, try a different browser on a different machine, reboot twice, reboot router twice, ... .  Last reboot of router cures symptom.  Human says all is well and the classic 'Can I help you with anything else today?'

Bite tong and carefully explain this is the second time in two days this has happened.  Related problems have been happening for some time.  I'm happy about the symptoms being fixed but lets try to fix the problem.  How about a new router?  Human says OK!

Success!

Now to give Verizon their due, they expedite shipping and I got the replacement router the following day!  Now all I have to do is install it and ship the old one back.

Laranzato espresso machine - continued

Sadly I didn't get any more feedback from Home Barista.com.  However, the one response I got was extremely helpful. Anyway, I'm blundering along on my own.

Should I drain the boiler? - DEFERRED

For the moment I've decided not to drain the boiler and use the machine as is. I've run a fair bit of water through so it should be reasonably flushed. Likewise I'll defer descaling.

Rust on near the steam and hot water valves - SOLVED

With the machine cleaned up this appears to actually be coffee! Examination of the group head revealed that the group head gasket is hard and cracked. It probably sprayed coffee which got up into the machine. There are no signs of rust on the valves or the frame so I'm fairly confident it's coffee.

Parts sources - OPEN

I called/emailed the suppliers I'd identified. Looks like Espresso Parts is the pick of bunch. The others appear to be fairly small operations.

• COYOTE COFFEE EQUIPMENT - PHOENIX ARIZONA (http://www.coyotecoffeeequipment.com/es...-machines/) - (888) 966-9122 or (480) 966-9122 - Says they are Laranzato service specialist. Need to call and see if they can provide parts.
• Spoke to service tech.  They can provide parts but are expensive.  They are sending a quote.
• Ennio Espresso(http://ennioespresso.net/promac_espresso_machines) - 303-325-5110 (sales & service) - Says they are the Promac importer. Need to call and see if they can provide parts.
• Exchanged some emails.  They are sending a quote.
• Espresso Parts (http://www.espressoparts.com/BrowseComm...chineParts) - 1-800-459-5594 8AM-4PM PST - Looks like a good source. I need to call and try to order steam wand.
• Seem to have parts and OK prices
• 1st-Line Equipment (http://www.1st-line.com/store/pc/home.asp) - 888-933-5947 | Monday-Friday | 10am-6pm EST - Has extensive collection of Rancilio parts. Good online catalog. Need to call and try to order steam wand.
• Stefano's Espresso Care (http://espressocare.com/index.html) - 541-935-1212 - Seems to have a reasonable collection of parts. I need to call to see.
• Referred me to Espresso Parts
• Chris' Coffee Service (http://www.chriscoffee.com/) - Some parts but not as extensive online catalog.
• Great Infusions (http://greatinfusions.com/rancilio_parts.html) Seems to have limited seection of parts for high end home machines.
• Whole Latte Love (http://www.wholelattelove.com/) - Accessories but no maintenance parts.

Drips from three-way valve - MOSTLY SOLVED

Doesn't appear to be a problem.  I'll run the machine and deal with it if it becomes an issue.

Pressure gauge - DEFERRED

I've decided to run the machine and see what happens.

• Is 1 bar a reasonable pressure reading?
• Is it normal for the pressure to drop to 0 when drawing 0.5 liter of hot water? The system has a 4 liter tank!
• Is it normal for the pressure to take 5 to 7 minutes to return to 1 bar?
• Is there normally some variation between 0.7 and 1.2 bar in the returning pressure?
• Is it normal for the safety valve to vent a bit of steam until boiler pressure returns?
• Is it normal for the antivacuum retaining clip to spin like a top until boiler pressure returns after dispensing 0.5 liter of hot water?
• I may need to adjust the pressure stat. Since I'm new to this I didn't know what it was/looked like. Turns out this is it.

Pressurestat - DEFERRED

• So now I know what it is I need to decide if it should be adjusted, to what, and how. 

Filter holder gasket - OPEN

I spoke to a service tech.  There is one but it's cooked and cracked.  I'll need to replace it.

Water source - OPEN

I've decided to plumb the machine in and will get parts from Dave if possible.

CURRENT PARTS LIST:

• Steam wand - Looks like Espresso Parts has an after market wand at a reasonable price (<$40).  I'll talk to Dave today and see if he can help
• Citric acid: I'm going to defer this for the moment.  
• Amazon offers "Spicy World Citric Acid, 5-Pound"
•  Are 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid per liter the correct concentration?
• Portafilter - Espresso parts is a source or Dave may be able to help
• Double basket
• Double portafilter spout
• Backflush disk
• Group head gasket - Espresso Parts has part.  It is described as  RANCILIO GROUP HEAD PORTAFILTER GASKET - 74 X 57 X 8.2MM.  There is an aftermarket part as well described as "An economical alternative to the O.E.M. gasket. 73.5 x 57 x 8mm."
• Water source - Freshwater Systems has John Guest parts.  Dave may be able to supply them.
• John Guest Angle Stop Adapter Valve Lead-Free - 3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8
• 10' 3/8" tubing
• Connector to machine

CURRENT TODO LIST:

• Continue cleaning, cleaning, cleaning - I've got the machine mostly clean but need to go over it with some solvent to remove grease.
• Buy/acquire needed parts

Laranzato espresso machine - progress

I've mostly finished cleaning the machine though I need to wipe it down with a food safe solvent such as alcohol.

One of the mounting brackets fatigued and broke.  I fabricated a brace and repaired it.

I've identified the parts I need and have lines on a couple of sources.

I've decided to plumb the machine and have started working on identifying and securing parts.

All and all things are encouraging.

Evil wireless networking

For reasons passing understanding the wireless and wired network decided to become dysfunctional today.  The problem started with not being able to login to the wireless network after having been connected for some while.  It got worse when I couldn't log into the router itself.

I ended up resetting the router and password to what they had been.  Everything now seems to work.

I love networking!  Really I do!?

Laranzato espresso machine - search for parts

Sent email to the following parts suppliers.

• Ennio Espresso(http://ennioespresso.net/promac_espresso_machines) - 303-325-5110 (sales & service) -   Says they are the Promac importer.  Need to call and see if they can provide parts.
• Espresso Parts (http://www.espressoparts.com/BrowseComm...chineParts) - 1-800-459-5594 8AM-4PM PST - Looks like a good source.  I need to call and try to order steam wand.
• 1st-Line Equipment (http://www.1st-line.com/store/pc/home.asp) - 888-933-5947 | Monday-Friday | 10am-6pm EST - Has extensive collection of Rancilio parts.  Good online catalog.  Need to call and try to order steam wand.
• Stefano's Espresso Care (http://espressocare.com/index.html) - 541-935-1212 - Seems to have a reasonable collection of parts.  I need to call to see.

Here's the email:

I recently purchased a Laranzato Club ME. It is a private labeled version of the Promac Club ME which in turn seems to be a Rancilio S27 with the steam wand and hot water dispenser swapped. I'm in the process of refurbishing the machine and am in need of some parts and assistance.

The machine does not have a steam wand. Where it should be there was an automated milk frother of some sort. I have the nut, spring, spring washer, and ball joint. I need the steam wand proper, tip, and any related parts. Are these available? What is the price?

Some parts related to the 'three way valve' seem to be missing. I have the nut that holds the cover over the valve. I believe that there should be a 'drain pipe group.' I'm not sure what this does or even if it is needed. Can your technician advise? The previous user fitted a short piece of Teflon tubing through the nut to drain valve overflow to the drip tray. If the existing drain tube is inadequate and something else is required is it available? What is the price?

I believe, though am unsure, that there should be a gasket in the group head that seals the portafilter within the group head. Is this the case? If so are these available? What is the price?

In the matter of parts, the Club ME appears to be a minor variant of the Rancilio S27 with the steam and hot water valves swapped. Is this the case? In general can I use Rancilio S27/S20 parts?

Laranzato espresso machine - continued

I posted some questions on Home Barista.com.  This is one of several sites where coffee aficionado congregate to help one another.  Many members have commercial espresso machines that they have rebuilt, modified, etc. so it's a source of help for my Laranzato project.

Dave, one of the site members responded with a great deal of helpful advice that I've organized here.  with a list of issues.

Rice like material - SOLVED

There is considerable white rice like droppings underneath the drip tray in the area of the steam wand.

White rice like material underneath steam area

I'd been concerned that this might indicate some machine malfunction.  During cleaning I removed the machine foot underneath the area of concentrated droppings.  Inside the foot was some somewhat similar material.  It was moving and wriggling. Yuck!  I'm fairly sure that it's all insect related.

Should I drain the boiler? - OPEN

There's a fixture on the bottom that looks like a drain meant to be attached to a piece of flexible tubing. I assume that loosening the nut will allow the system to drain.  Should I descale?

If  so, what concentration of citric acid.  Are 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid per liter the correct concentration?

Is Amazon offers "Spicy World Citric Acid, 5-Pound" appropriate for this use?

Rust on near the steam and hot water valves - SOLVED?

Rust around steam valve.  Hot water valve is not as bad.

Dave suggested that the valves themselves are not at issue.  A bit of investigation revealed that with the machine fully hot whenever either the steam or hot water is used some steam/water vapor exist around the valves.  It appears that this how water vapor drifts up through the vent openings surrounding the valves and is likely the source of the problem.

I've considered blocking the vents but have decided not to since I'm concerned that they may be needed to vent heat from inside the machine.  Problem solved?

Parts sources - OPEN

Dave suggested that I look at some of the advertisers on the Home Barista site.  I did and made a list (see below).  Here's a list and notes:

• COYOTE COFFEE EQUIPMENT - PHOENIX ARIZONA (http://www.coyotecoffeeequipment.com/es...-machines/) - (888) 966-9122 or (480) 966-9122 - Says they are Laranzato service specialist.  Need to call and see if they can provide parts.
• Ennio Espresso(http://ennioespresso.net/promac_espresso_machines) - 303-325-5110 (sales & service) -   Says they are the Promac importer.  Need to call and see if they can provide parts.
• Espresso Parts (http://www.espressoparts.com/BrowseComm...chineParts) - 1-800-459-5594 8AM-4PM PST - Looks like a good source.  I need to call and try to order steam wand.
• 1st-Line Equipment (http://www.1st-line.com/store/pc/home.asp) - 888-933-5947 | Monday-Friday | 10am-6pm EST - Has extensive collection of Rancilio parts.  Good online catalog.  Need to call and try to order steam wand.
• Stefano's Espresso Care (http://espressocare.com/index.html) - 541-935-1212 - Seems to have a reasonable collection of parts.  I need to call to see.
• Chris' Coffee Service (http://www.chriscoffee.com/) - Some parts but not as extensive online catalog.
• Great Infusions (http://greatinfusions.com/rancilio_parts.html) Seems to have limited seection of parts for high end home machines.
• Whole Latte Love (http://www.wholelattelove.com/) - Accessories but no maintenance parts.
• As a general proposition is it better/cheaper to work with parts suppliers or service specialist/importers?

Do Rancilio parts  work with the Laranzato/Promac?  It appears that the Laranzato is really a Promac Club ME which, in turn, is a variation of the Rancilio S20 series S27/S24.  Is this the case?
Drips from three-way valve - MOSTLY SOLVED

When the machine gets hot the valve stops dripping.  Is this normal behavior?

It appears that there should be some drain mechanism at the base of the valve.

3 way valve drip	Valve behind cover
Valve identification	Nut that holds valve cover. Looks like there should be a fixture attached.

Looking at the Rancilio documentation it appears that there should be more.  It's called a 'drain pipe group.'  It's not at all clear what it does other than to direct water into the drip tray.

Group head
27 is 'drain pipe group'
12 is 'filter holder gasket'

For the moment I've bought a bit of tubing to direct the drips into the drip tray.  I'll have to look into the standard parts.

Tubing modification

Pressure gauge - OPEN

Initially I thought the pressure gauge wasn't working.  Turned out I needed to let the machine come up to pressure - takes about 30 minutes.  

• Is 1 bar a reasonable pressure reading?
• Is it normal for the pressure to drop to 0 when drawing 0.5 liter of hot water? The system has a 4 liter tank!
• Is it normal for the pressure to take 5 to 7 minutes to return to 1 bar?
• Is there normally some variation between 0.7 and 1.2 bar in the returning pressure?
• Is it normal for the safety valve to vent a bit of steam until boiler pressure returns?
• Is it normal for the antivacuum retaining clip to spin like a top until boiler pressure returns after dispensing 0.5 liter of hot water?

I may need to adjust the pressure stat.  Since I'm new to this I didn't know what it was/looked like.  Turns out this is it.

Pressurestat

So now I know what it is I need to decide if it should be adjusted, to what, and how.

Filter holder gasket - OPEN

It looks like there should be a gasket in the group head.  It's not there.  I need to investigate and buy one if needed.

Water source - OPEN

This machine needs to be connected to a water source.  I've got two choices:

• Connect to the house water.  It's easy enough to connect with an ice maker kit but these have 1/4 inch lines.  The documentation for the Rancilio S27 suggest 3/8 supply.  What to do?
• Connect to bottle water source with a FloJet BW4000 or similar pump.  This means a large bottle of water on the sink.  Also the pump is around $100.

Right now I'm leaning toward plumbing with 1/4 line but need to check to see if there will be enough water flow.

We have a whole house water softener so it's likely that the water is OK.  Even so, should it be tested?

Current parts list:

• Steam wand
• Citric acid
• FloJet BW4000 or plumbing parts
• Cart if I go with the FloJet
• Portafilter basket - double
• Double portafilter spout
• Portafilter parts (backflush, drain)

Current TODO list:

• Continue cleaning, cleaning, cleaning
• Buy needed parts

Laranzato espresso machine - continued

I've continued to work on the Laranzato with generally good results today.

Cleaning continues with considerable more to be done.  This doesn't affect the machine's operation though so I decided to connect the machine to water and see what happened.  After verifying that there were no leaks I turned the machine on.  The pump motor ran for 2 or 3 seconds then all was quiet.  Holding my hand over the boiler I could feel heat coming off so it seems the heater works.

I pressed each of the 5 coffee dispensing buttons and water came out of the group head as expected for times that seemed reasonable.  I also pressed the continuous button and as expected water came out.  All very encouraging.

Initially water did not come out either the hot water nozzle or the steam nozzle when the respective valves were turned.  As the machine got hot, things changed and both seemed to function.  That makes some sense for the steam valve but I'm not so sure about the hot water valve and so will investigate.

I have some concern about a couple of fixtures on top of the boiler.  When the machine got hot a bit of steam escaped from one.  The other occasionally wept a few drops of water and the retaining clip on its top spun rapidly.  It is also threaded to apparently accept some sort of nut.  Both these things need to be investigated.

There is also an issue with water seeping from under the group head.

The final concern is that the pressure gauge did not seem to register.

All things considered very encouragins.

I got good shots of several important elements.

Manufacturers nameplate

Bottom of boiler.  Is this a drain?

 

Something loose.

It seemed to go here

Laranzato espresso machine adventure.

While waiting for the replacement pump for my home espresso machine to arrive I was watching Craig's list for a used replacement (at the time I wasn't sure I could repair the Precisia).  Much to my surprise, Easter sunday there was an add for a single group professional machine.

It was a potentially great deal, so notwithstanding it being Easter I called and told the seller I wanted everything.  We made arrangements to meet Monday.

When I got to the shop, it turned out that the Bunn coffee maker was 240v.  Since it wasn't useful to me, I left it but took everything else.  Fortunately, I'd brought tools since the machine was plumed in.  About an hour later I'd de-installed it, paid, put it in my car (should have brought a hand truck as it weighed well over 100 lbs), and was on my way home.

The machine is a Laranzato Club Me.  A bit of investigation revealed that this was a private label for a Promac Club Me.  Promac is a reasonably well regarded repackage of Rancilio.  This one is a slight variation of the Rancilio S27.

So I've got a commercial machine to overhaul and put into service.  Here's what it looked like when I got it home.

The face exactly matches the S27 with the hot water and steam reversed.  This machine has a missing steam wand.  There was a rather odd contraption in its place, also broken, that mixed milk drawn from a pitcher with steam.  I'll have to buy a replacement steam wand.

Face details

I removed the covers and here's what the insides look like.  Rather more than the home machine.

Some further disassemble showed that both the hot water and steam valves showed some signs of rust. 

Steam side valve with signs of rust

  

Hot water valve with signs of rust

The underneath of the drip tray was really dirty.  There was some rice like materials on the base.  I'm not entirely sure what it is but suspect that it's insect related.

Dirt on base with 'insect' droppings 

'Insect' droppings

As things now stand I've got the machine partially disassembled and am cleaning it thoroughly.  Next steps are to:

• finish cleaning the machine - This will take some time as I'll likely need to remove some components.
• descale the machine - While the machine components are reasonably clean, save for the two valves, there may be issues with coffee and scae buildup.
• replace the steam wand
• throughly clean the group head assembly
• connect to a water source (I plan to run from a pump drawing from an external tank) and determine what works and what doesn't

I'll post more as progress is made.

 

Espresso, my espresso

So I've been working part time at a local coffee roaster, Karma Coffee.  I'd had a steam driven espresso machine for several years but recently the boiler failed.  Sadly, there was no repair possible so it was time to buy another.  As luck would have it, Karma had an unwanted machine and was willing to give it away.  Problem solved.

Unfortunately, life is seldom that simple.  One day the new machine, Precisia, would no longer make espresso.  I could hear the pump running and verified that it would pump water but it was unable to pump at enough pressure to actually make espresso.  While the machine was not particularly expensive, it did have a PID control (electronics to control how the heater was run to insure accurate brewing temperatures) and I decided to try and repair it.

Here's what the insides of a home espresso machine looks like.

The bit on the left is the boiler where water is heated, steam made, etc.  The red bit on the right is the pump.  It's a vibrator self priming pump.  A bit of investigation revealed that it had partially failed.  It would pump but was unable to create enough pressure to make espresso.

 Here's what the pump looks like removed.  The bit on the right is a pressure regulator and overpressure bypass valve assembly.

When I removed the valve assembly from the pump it looked like this.  The red bit is an O ring to seal the assembly against the pump's 15 bar pressure.  It was clearly non-functional.

When I took the pump apart I found that one of the springs had broken.  Clearly the source of the problem.

The original pump was a Chinese knockoff of the more or less standard ULKA pump used in almost all home machines.  So I got an ULKA and repaired the machine.  The result, a better than new home espresso machine.