ECM Michelangelo E61 Group Gasket Removal HELP!

by **MtnSingleSpeed** on Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:42 am

I'll post later in more detail about the rebuild, but I'm currently rebuilding an ECM Michelangelo A2, and I can't seem to figure out how to take apart the group heads. More specifically, I need to disassemble the gasket and screen for cleaning (and gasket replacement). I've seen other similar setups where there's a screw that attaches the screen to the assembly, but this one is smooth and I can't seem to unlock this puzzle. There's a picture of the two enigmas below.

by **cannonfodder** on Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:49 am

They are friction fitted. If you look at the bottom of the page you will see a magic box pointing out related topics based on key words in your post. The very first one is Group gasket replacement tips. Give that a look, it should answer most all of your questions. In a nut shell, it is baked/crusted on and will probably take some extreme efforts to remove.

by HB on Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:58 am

The forum search tips are you friends. See How to remove the dispersion screen and gasket of an E61? There's also this bounty of information:

All from the FAQs and Favorites under "E61".

From How to remove Alex Duetto showerscreen?

Also see Techniques wanted on removing E61 shower screen for another handy implement:

by **MtnSingleSpeed** on Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:00 pm

Thanks guys. New to the forum, but it looks like there's a huge amount of info that will help here. I'll be sure to do some keyword searches next time before posting a dead horse.

by **dookie** on Wed Jan 26, 2011 12:34 am

looks just like my zaffiro E61.

you're replacing the gasket, right? so you can beat it up a little (er...a lot). just don't hurt the screen. you don't have to pry on anything...

i ran a drywall screw into the gasket and then yanked on it with some pliers. a chunk came out. repeat until done. i think it took me four pulls.

by **MtnSingleSpeed** on Wed Jan 26, 2011 2:53 pm

Yeah, I'm replacing the gaskets and for $12 each, I can replace the group head shower screens, so even if my first attempts render damage, I'm thinking of going for a clean rebuild of the group heads anyway. I'm also rebuilding the pre-infusion chamber internals in regards to seals, gaskets, and springs. Just curious, is CoffeeParts.com the best place to get ECM parts, or is another alternative? The prices seem to be fair, but I'm just wondering about the shipping cost/time from Australia.

by **Randy G.** on Wed Jan 26, 2011 3:45 pm

Most E-61 group parts you are mentioning are interchangeable. Try:
http://espressocare.com/index.html
http://www.1st-line.com/
http://www.chriscoffee.com/

by **MtnSingleSpeed** on Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:48 pm

Thank you everyone for your help in understanding what I was dealing with. These gaskets were so dry and baked on, I had to use a Dremel tool to etch out a cavity and then hammer a small bladed screwdriver in to chip out 1/8" chunks of crystallized rubber. Yeah, I cringed too. Here's a pic of the opening. Managed to get the second one out with just minor tapping.

by **Sketcher** on Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:05 pm

On my rancilio rebuild, I boiled the groups in citric acid solution with the gaskets in place. Any moisture in the gaskets before quickly vanished. Thereafter, I drilled a hole through the face of the gasket and used it as a startpoint for prying out with a robertson screwdriver...

by **kitt** on Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:39 pm

Sketcher wrote:On my rancilio rebuild, I boiled the groups in citric acid solution with the gaskets in place. Any moisture in the gaskets before quickly vanished. Thereafter, I drilled a hole through the face of the gasket and used it as a startpoint for prying out with a robertson screwdriver...

A word of warning; Don't try this with any chrome plated group.Citric acid can damage chrome plating.


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