I may have the chance to purchase a used Rancilio Z-11 and wanted to know what possible issues I could be running into. The machine was purchased 6 years ago as decoration for an office foyer. Yes, decoration. It has never had water in it and then never had any electric service installed to even plug the thing in. Could I be running into potential issues from a machine that has literally never been used but sat for this long? Gasket replacements, etc. I am trying to decide if it is worth it so any advice would be appreciated.

Jon

You might get a better response if you post what specific model of the Z-11 you are referring to, e.g. the LE, AT, etc., etc. But, regardless of what specific model it is, somehow you need to make sure the machine at least works as intended.

It's an Omicron 2 group

There is a z-11 rebuild thread somewhere here on HB - try to search for it. Lots of good info.
PC

Re Omicron - In that case, I'd make "triple-sure" it works as intended. Even assuming that all is well with the machine, the potential cascading cost of an electronic part(s) failure can easily outstrip your initial investment. For home use - I couldn't justify something of this capacity and I do about 30 drinks a week. For possible resale - well, you should know the local market much better than I.

I have one of the smallest older rancilio 2-groups for home use, an S-20 Midi DE, and it's still a sizeable addition to the kitchen but honestly, it's a total tank and is a completely different experience to operate when compared to our first machine, a small Saeco with an over-group boiler. I recently finished a rebuild on the S-20 and if it's absolutely true that there's been no use, not even a single fill of water, I'd at least pull the pump and motor, decouple them and turn the pump over with the help of a crescent wrench to exercise it a bit, then just re-install it.

Also, I'd pull the level probe off the top of the boiler (which if it's like my S-20 has a single lead going to it) and clean the probe surface with a bit of 600 grit sandpaper to make sure it's clean. Then I'd give the machine a pressurized water source (I wouldn't do a bottle, I'd want the pressure to ensure better wetting of the internals to the intended degrees for a first run), then power and try it out. I'd also expect that after such a long time, you may get some gasket leaks but maybe not, though I'd buy new group gaskets regardless. Also, if everything works except the dosing is funny, it may be gicars, which can be cleaned internally if you're careful and even boiled in citric acid for a cleaning (obviously not the electrical though) and treated to new o-rings.

Good luck, sounds like a total shoe-in for a great machine if it's really what they say it is but it depends on what you want it for. Those Omicrons have slightly different parts from the S series (so maybe a bit pricier) and from the very little looking I did, tended to be a bit more complex electrically, which is a personal weakness for me, and if the computer isn't working correctly it may be a show-stopper.

I've had a z-11 2-group sitting in the garage for a year, and its difficult to justify using such a giant machine for the home. But if you have the time and space,..

I have the space for it - recently converted my downstairs area into my own little 'coffee shrine' My initial thought was that it really would be great to see that beast sitting there. Thanks for all the info. The biggest issue I see at this point is that the machine requires 220v (no problem to run a new circuit) but the current owner has no 220v outlet to plug it into to test out. At this point the price is higher that I would be willing to pay going in blind especially considering all the electronics.

Think I will wait it out and see if no one buys it I can cut a deal down the road

If I were filling my coffee shrine I would try to find a 1-group that I knew was in good condition (unless re-building is a joy for you). I would look for something with manual, and not programmable controls, to avoid expensive parts down the road.