Shower screens are inexpensive, I would just replace it. Assuming you are referring to the screen and not the brass dispersing block. I would do the steam and water tap seals as well. They just unscrew.

I've no dedicated space in which to work on it, so I do a tiny bit each night and then put it back together. The shower screen is mostly clean at this point, I used a couple of toothpicks to pick out the tar and kept cleaning it. I'll probably just replace it anyway, but I want to see how clean I could get it. The brass dispersion block (that the shower screen attaches to, the middle item of the filthy group head picture) has a dozen holes (or so) has a couple of them blocked solid. All the seals I can easily get to will be replaced, I'll make a master lists at some point and just order them all at the same time.

I'm also missing some kind of small key that is on the lower left hand corner of the machine. I presume this is used for locking in a program to the dispenser buttons.

Mark

Not sure about the key, but is probably a lock to keep employees from changing the keypad programming. I have the A3, the semi-auto version, lift lever and lower lever. The dispersion block will need the holes cleaned out. That is the Achilles Heel of the machine. It works wonderfully but when it gets dirty it starts to squirt water with some force. It will drill into the puck. I use a sewing needle to clean out the holes in my machine along with a long soak in JoeGlo to clean it up. It will need removed and cleaned every couple of months.

The key is needed to access the programming
I have a lot of them in stock
how ever few years ago Elektra started to have keys with different codes so to be sure you get the right one
I wouldn't mind checking with Italy for you if you provide me with the serial number of your unit
espressocare@msn.com

Stefano: Thanks for the offer, it would be nice getting the right key. My serial #771 was built in 2000. (Could you ask them if the Elektra stencil for the front stainless plate is available too?) I will indeed be ordering a bunch of stuff from you in the near future. I'm still trying to decide how much of a rebuild I want to get myself into... all the stuff so far is dead simple. Getting the 3 way out looks a bit harder, interestingly enough the older model doesn't have a shiny stainless steel cover over the 3 way (or if it did, it's long gone missing). It's unlikely that I'll dismantling the boiler to polish everything, the frame shows no signs of rust anywhere.



Before I go too nuts on the rebuilt, I need to plan out my kitchen remodel so that my wife doesn't shoot me. Since I don't have a water source (or power for that matter) to the machine, I won't be doing a descaling yet since I'd want to flush a ton of water when I'm done. I guess if I removed the power to the boiler I could pretty much power it up from any plug. I'm an Electrical Engineer turned to the Software side of things so at least I shouldn't electrocute myself.

Mark

I will check with them tomorrow
please send me an email so i will have in the folder
by the way if I may suggest you should take the time now that the machine is "just sitting" to do a complete work
the last think you want is a machine in those condition sitting in your kitchen
with A WATER LINE and ELECTRICITY on all the time
here are some pics of a machine similar to yours ( manual versus electronic)
http://www.espressocare.com/Rebuild.html

Stephano: You have a point, I have a working machine (my Anita) so I'm not in a huge hurry to get the Elektra running. Taking the time to do it right would be the correct thing to do. My machine is in some ways better than the one you show in your rebuild (no water leaks). I must say though, the pictures of the results of your rebuild is beautiful.

I've got two kids and a wife, so I can't spend all my money on rebuilding the Elektra.

Mark

The information tag was moved to under the drip tray atop the level box cover in later models.


You would be surprised how happy kids are eating just macaroni and cheese or hotdogs for a few weeks. Food is overrated, drink good coffee.

You can tell that at least the restaurant cleaned the outside on the Elektra given how faded the lettering is on my information plate. Moving the information tag to under the drip tray gives for a nicer cleaner overall look. If I drilled out the rivets, I could also move the information plate, then I could put either 4 stainless rivets in, or 4 small stainless bolts. I would also make polishing the front stainless steel a whole lot easier as it would be a simple sheet and I wouldn't have to worry about rubbing off even more of the faded lettering.

Mark

Stefano: Thanks for getting back to me yesterday which key to purchase.
OK, I'm going to dismantle everything that could scale up and clean it properly.

Before I plunge into this, does the Elektra need a positive pressure on the water, or can it draw from a tank. I'm thinking it might be good to see what else works/doesn't work before I pull it apart?

Anyone have a list of all the gaskets, seals, rubber parts I might need to order? I might as well order some parts now (since there is the HB Birthday sale for Elektra parts at Espresso Care).

The vacuum breaker also seems to have a hardened piece of rubber in it that likely should be replaced. As does the boiler pressure release valve.

Other things that need replacement:
chrome feet (or the new black plastic ones?)