cannonfodder wrote:I have dealt with a ruptured HX before. It is a deathblow for most machines. Hopefully your problem is a stuck solenoid. Otherwise it is a door stop.

Why is a ruptured HX a death blow - is it that the HX is welded to the boiler? Is it just the pre 05 models that can't be repaired and can a late model boiler be fitted to an early machine?

...split from Elektra Semiautomatica problem: when brewing it fills boiler by moderator...

Always helpful. Thanks Stefano - but my original question remains unanswered. Can a new post '05 boiler be fitted to an earlier machine? I can only assume this is possible with just some water pipes being changed.

It intrigues me that I read post after post about how, if the HX in an Elektra Micro casa semiauto is cactus then it is the death knell for the machine. Door stop material. Presumably if the thing's been welded in then it can be welded out and repaired? But this is at the risk of the same thing happening elswhere in the same degrading HX so I have probably answered my own question.

Here in Australia I can buy a new boiler for about $650/$700 so presumably it's the equivalent in the U.S. If you have paid $3000 (or less for a used one but worth that new) for a machine no matter when you got it then I would think it's worth spending that amount on a new boiler rather than buy a new machine. If you still like your machine that is and the rest is not worn out. Or unless you are just sick of it.

I should add that there is nothing wrong with my semi but but would like to give life to another with a cactus boiler.

spa wrote:do hx's crack often on the elektra microcasa's? I'm I sitting on a ticking time bomb with mine?

No no! You misunderstand. If any HX machine, or any machine for that matter is not looked after there will be problems of some kind down the track. All I was trying to understand was why the micro casa was just a door stop if the heat exchanger went west. I could be referring to any machine although most other machines you would fix so why not the Lekky?

I wasn't suggesting there is a problem with these babies. Ideally any machine should always be on a diet of water fed to it through an anti-scale filter.

If that's not possible or practical then regular maintenance should be the rule.

If I thought I had a "ticking bomb", financially speaking anyway, I wouldn't own it - and to be perfectly honest I am seriously thinking of selling my Faema E98 and keeping the Elektra.

I hope this puts your mind at rest. Contrary to what a lot of people think, over priced and under spec they may be, the Lektra semiauto is still a wonderful machine that just pumps out great shot after great shot...And good looking as well. What more could you ask for?

wolfdog wrote:I was told Elektra does not sell replacement boilers. You'd have to pull it off of another machine or buy a new machine altogether.

I guess this would be the only reason to have a chrome door stop. However, I have been quoted for a new boiler to be ordered if required. I'm tempted to go ahead for a fix on another machine.

stefano65 wrote:The boilers are sold
the problem is the cost of one,
since is not a "normal" stock part and most of vendors will have to have one sent from the factory.

on a SEMIAUTOMATICA
NO they are not interchangeable I had a reconfirmation by elektra just now calling them
the holes on the base will not match the location pipes neither
on a leva yes no problems

Thank you again Stefano,

Things are becoming clearer now. Is it just the holes that prevent the change? I hope the early boiler is still available. Edit; It is.

Thanks once again. Your blood's worth bottling.