Hi all.

First of all, this is my first post, and if there is a more common name for my problem, I'd appreciate it if someone changes the title, so that the topic is more easily found for others.

I've had my Elektra for about half a year now, I bought it on ebay, and had it serviced immediately. I use it 3 times a day at home.
After a few months, a strange thing started happening. First it only happened with backflushing: When I backflushed, the portafilter handle clearly went up a bit, followed by an 'explosion' and steam and water were flying around. With a briefer 'choke' of the motor it seemed ok, but then it also started happening with making regular espresso. After about 10 seconds, a big PFFSHHHHH and grinds and steam all over the place.

I ordered a new group head gasket (although the older one looked perfect and was only a couple of months old), which solved it a few weeks, and it happened again.
I noticed that the portafilter had to be turned all the way to the right, so I ordered a spacer ring and placed it in between. Worked for two weeks (maybe just luck), and now again, the same problem.

By the way, also when it doesn't 'explode', the portafilter handle comes up a bit in the first couple of seconds after initiating the brew process when pressure builds up, and comes down again when I stop it.

I checked the portafilter, but the wedges don't seem worn.

I'm really getting tired of the machine, it should be such a lovely machine.

Hi,

Joep wrote: First it only happened with backflushing: When I backflushed, the portafilter handle clearly went up a bit, followed by an 'explosion' and steam and espresso grinds flying around.

Why were espresso grinds flying around if you were backflushing?!

Sounds like the 3-way valve (releases the pressure in the puck once you have finished brewing) is stuck. I am assuming someone here knows the best way to clean it if backflushing hasn't already done the trick?

If its stuck, leave the handle for 30 seconds after brewing for the pressure to subside before unscrewing it. Hopefully then no portafilter 'sneeze'

With any luck Stefano will pipe in.

Cheers.

Sorry, I mixed things up a bit. When backflushing, of course only water flew around. Later, when it also happened while making espresso, grinds were flying around.

And it doesn't happen after brewing, but while brewing, after about 5-10 seconds. So I don't think the 3-way valve is to blame here. After a successful espresso, I can take my portafilter out immediately, no problems there.

So while brewing, is the pf unlatching and falling out?

Before this happens, are you getting espresso coming out the bottom?

You are locking it in nice and tight I assume before brewing? On some machines, you need a reasonable force to lock it sufficiently in place...

Cheers, Chris

No, the portafilter doesn't fall out. It just pops and stays in the grouphead.

And indeed, espresso is rushing while this happens.

I tighten it very well. Any more force would just be stupid...

Strange. If a portafilter doesn't seal, the standard solution is replace the grouphead gasket. For those reading along, Elektra doesn't use a flat circular gasket like most manufacturers; the gasket is actually a thick o-ring and the taper makes it more likely to disengage. A flat circular gasket would be less likely to leak than an o-ring, but I'm puzzled why your OEM gasket fails in the first place.

This is the gasket I have in my group head:


The one on the left of course. On the right was my self made spacer ring, that was way too thick.

Mine is flat. I can see here that there are 3 types of gaskets. Flat (like mine), conical, and type 'O-ring'.

Do you think I have the wrong one?

The gasket LOOKS right, just by judging from this photo, but I have never seen it so take that with a grain of salt.



Have you got a 'shower holder gasket' (No. 35) as well? I think your link is to the wrong schematic...

http://espressocare.com/PDF-Files...ticaleComplete.pdf

Chris

Stefano would know for certain; all the Elektras I've used have the o-ring type group gasket (Elektra A3, Semiautomatica, and Microcasa). Assuming it's the correct thickness and the seal is secure, the gasket shape should not matter. According to the parts diagram, the OEM spacers are 0.65mm. The spacer is inserted behind the gasket to compensate for worn portafilter ears/grouphead channel. If that doesn't work, I'm stumped.

Well, that's the spacer I have installed at the moment. I don't get it either..

@Gyro,
Your scheme is correct indeed, and yes, I also have that black gasket in the heavy disc thing. (no. 35)

Regarding the group gasket the "squarish" one in silicone is the right one for a Mini Verticale
however there is also an o-ring
that goes in the brass diffuser (in my picture is the black one)
once you replace both make sure that the surface between the group and the diffuser is clean and the showerscreen screw is all the way screwed in so the diffuser will not be loose

Well, I had cleaned everything when I installed it (I didn't change the black ring, that looks ok). And I tightened the screw securely. When I unscrew it, the diffuser often still sticks to the group head.

What do you think about the fact that my portafilter lifts up when I engage the pump? Is that normal for the Elektra?

I am far from an expert, but if the portafilter handle shifts up during extraction then that, to me, would clearly indicate that the portafilter is actually not sealing against the gasket well enough to not raise a significant concern (obviously)... b/c there is still room to move under pressure. (I am assuming it moves somewhat substantively) It really seems like there is not truly a seal between the gasket, or the gasket is wrong (too easily compressible), it is not installed correctly or somehow your portafilter ears are so worn down that there is a lot of play in them. If it were me I would replace ALL of the gaskets with factory parts, be sure I am using the correct portafilter, and be sure it is not worn down as the first step. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

Karl

can you take a picture of your portafilter wings and the basket that you use? maybe there is something to see there

Can't believe I didn't notice this thread before.....

First Thing is to STOP!!!
Do NOT use this machine again until you have this is sorted out.


You have described a very dangerous condition and it's amazing to me that you haven't been injured yet. I hope you at least wear eye protection of some kind whilst experimenting. Jeez loweez.


The portafilter is supposed to lock in tight. That means the position should NOT shift when pressure is applied. Sounds to me like you probably have the wrong portafilter for your machine, or maybe the ears are TOO WORN, or maybe the group head slot is wallowed out.

I think this because the clearance in the slots for the portafilter "ears" should be close enough that the portafilter body can't lean or shift out of position when pressure is applied.

So if it feels like it locks in tight but then it shifts position and blows up, chances are the gasket is OK but the portafilter has too much play. Get a new factory OEM unit to try. You might even get a LaMarzocco portafilter to test with because those have thicker ears and more lip above the ears so they will generally fit much tighter (mine locks in at 7 o'clock instead of the 6 o'clock position of the E61 portafilter).

And PLEASE protect yourself in subsequent "testing". DO NOT USE COFFEE.

I would suggest wearing safety glasses and a heavy, long sleeved shirt (like a sweatshirt) as a minimum. A rubber glove for your trigger hand mifght be a reasonable precaution as well. Oh, and only test with the blind filter. If you run any test, keep your finger on the trigger so if the PF starts to shift you can IMMEDIATELY shut off the pump.

I hope this helps....


STAY SAFE!!
Hot coffee ground projectiles in your eye would be a very bad thing.

Sure:







I got the machine with only a single basket. I ordered a double basket, and I was told this was an original one from elektra.

Edit:

About last post. Thanks. To be honest, I didn't wear protection, because the coffee grinds fly down around the drip tray. Not up. But I've stopped using the machine now. Because I'm sick of wasting expensive coffee and just hoping for a shot to come through ok..
What's a OEM unit? What does OEM stand for?

Well, the grouphead has a slot for the wings, that steadily spirals up, and if the wings of the portafilter dont taper, the portafilter would not be level to the grouphead, right?

Joep, you say that the portafilter comes up when the pop happens? It sounds like your gasket's seal is breaking after initially working. I doubt that this indicates a problem with the portafilter, but there may be a problem with your group bell or the gaskets you're using. can you pull your group bell and show us some pictures of how the gasket seats? I'd love to have a look at that.

--Nicholas