hi,
i just installed a new sirai pressure stat, however, once the boiler heats up it starts leaking where the copper body attaches to to the upper steel housing where it is secured with the 4 screws. picture attached.
once the machine cools i will check the 4 screws.
also the temp gauge is stuck at around 1.5 bar, once the boiler heats up the gauge moves to maximum. is the gauge faulty? i will remove at descale the gauge for starters.
thanks in advance.

The higher gauge pressure is probably due to the pressure stat leaking therefore keeping the heater on.
If there is even the slightest leak after tightening the 4 screws return it. If the leak stops monitor the pressure on and off values and if they are not consistent, return it.

When the machine cools down, open the steam valve. The boiler pressure gage should read zero. If it does not, I would strongly suggest that you replace the gage.

The nominal pressure range (contacts closing) of the Sirai pstat, Model 302-8, is 0.50 bar to 1.40 bar. I would ASSUME that the factory production line probably aims for the midpoint of that range, i.e. AROUND 0.95 bar. The published deadband is 0.15 to 0.21 bar. See here: http://sirai.it/

Yes, of course, I agree that if the screws are loose, tighten them evenly. If they are not loose, the option would be to return the pstat or loosen/remove the screws and inspect the diaphragm area for any surface irregularity causing the leak.

Yet another problem now. There is no steam coming out of the wand now but rather hot water. There is also water leaking at different valves on the top of Boiler. The element is heating and the pstat is functioning normally because it's cutting off the pressure but still leaking after tightening the 4 screws. I believe that the entire Boiler is being filled with water thus causing leaks. The level rod is inserted properly but not sensing to stop once it reaches the steel rod. What could cause the boiler to continue filling?
Thanks again for your help.

Maybe you accidentally knocked loose a wire on the autofill probe when you were changing out the pstat?

Thanks, I will check the connections.

Unplug the machine.

Remove the vacuum breaker valve and syphon water out of the boiler until it is ~1/4 full. Disconnect one of the wires at the pump. Plug the machine in & turn the power switch ONLY to Position I. After a second or so, you should hear the boiler fill solenoid click. Yes or No ?

Unplug the machine again and reconnect the pump wire. Plug the machine in & turn the power switch ONLY to Position I. After a second or so, the pump will start and begin to fill the boiler. The pump SHOULD stop after about 20-30 seconds. Check the level of water in the boiler with a small wooden dowel - it should be ~ 2/3 full.

It is not necessary to turn the power switch to position II for any of these tests. Insert the blind filter and engage the pump for 25-30 seconds. What does the brew pressure gage read during this event? Let the machine rest for a minute or so. Engage the pump a second time for 25-30 seconds with the blind filter still in place. Check the level of water in the boiler with the wooden dowel - has it risen? If so, it is likely that your boiler fill solenoid valve is leaking - time to disassemble & clean or possibly replace.

Or you have had a boiler freeze and the heat exchanger is ruptured.

cannonfodder wrote:Or you have had a boiler freeze and the heat exchanger is ruptured.

Or it is related to your earlier difficulties with replacing the heating element and/or possible overpressure conditions.

I'd dismantle the machine and check to make sure there is no damage to the HX.

allon wrote:Maybe you accidentally knocked loose a wire on the autofill probe when you were changing out the pstat?

Looks like the wire got loose on the autofill probe.
No more leaks. Steam coming out of wand. Back to normal.... I think. I mean when the wire was knocked off autofill, the boiler was filling up entirely causing leaks everywhere, including the element and various different relief valves on top of boiler. Well I guess it may be normal as the boiler was not made to be filled completely. Interesting results when something is knocked out.
Thanks very much for the help by all you nice members.
I am currently trying to compress my photos of my machine on my iMac to upload to this site. Don't know how but working on it.