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.
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| 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
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