hi all - been reading HB for many years off and on. about 5 years ago, i got an expobar office control from WLL that has served me well. last week, i noticed the fill-up sound was much quieter and the temp and amount of water coming through the grouphead was minimal (would probably take 3 minutes to pull a shot). steam and water wands seem okay.

would love to avoid sending it back to WLL (and paying $275!). anyone that you can recommend locally? happy to pay, but just want my espresso machine back on line asap. i live in manhattan.

any/all help would be GREATLY appreciated. thank you!

It sounds like you might need to replace the pump. You can order one for about $60; but will need to swap it in yourself or get someone with minimal plumbing and electrical skills to do it for you.

However, you could just have a kinked hose going from the tank to the pump, or an obstruction in the hose out of the pump. If you don't feel confident in checking these yourself, you need to have the machine serviced.

I don't know any NYC espresso repair places, maybe someone else can chime in if they know any that would do it for less.

I had my Silvia repaired about 5 years ago in NYC.
I think, but am not certain, it was done by Rudy's Espresso Repair some where around 50th Street & 9th Avenue. I had them replace the pump.

They did a good job but were expensive. I googled them and found this information. I don't know if it is correct.
Rudy's L &R Espresso Machine Co
464 W 51st Street
New York, NY 10019-6517
Phone:(212) 245-4966

I have an Expobar Brewtus II now from WLL.
You can also call WLL. They have a list of espresso repair places in New York City and can advise you.

You can also call WLL and ask them for repair advice. I had a problem with a short in my Brewtus a few years ago and they were very helpful. They helped diagnose the problem. I emailed some photos to them. Then they explained exactly how to repair the problem.

Thanks Jim - i hope it's the pump as that's a fairly simple fix.

still looking for someone to take a look at this machine, but will call L&R first thing in the morning. thanks werbin!

any other suggestions, i'm all ears.

another_jim wrote:It sounds like you might need to replace the pump. You can order one for about $60; but will need to swap it in yourself or get someone with minimal plumbing and electrical skills to do it for you.

However, you could just have a kinked hose going from the tank to the pump, or an obstruction in the hose out of the pump. If you don't feel confident in checking these yourself, you need to have the machine serviced.

I don't know any NYC espresso repair places, maybe someone else can chime in if they know any that would do it for less.

mild non-update... haven't been able to find anyone yet. called those guys several times, but no answer. wouldn't have thought it would be that difficult to get someone in the city to look at this machine -- or even call me back.

any ideas? getting desperate.

any ideas? getting desperate.

Visit this previously mentioned repair shop in person to get some kind of feel as to whether or not they can fix your machine.

Call WholeLatteLove to see if they can recommend a repair shop more convenient to you - I assume you do not have transportation available.

Put the machine in a double box separated by foam and ship it via UPS to me in Silver Spring, MD. Phone 301-587-5033 (and I do answer the phone). And, BTW, if you were quoted a total estimate of $275 (including ALL shipping charges) for simply replacing the pump, that is reasonable.

Try calling WLL and asking them for an espresso machine repair place in NYC. They have a list of repair places.

musigny wrote:mild non-update... haven't been able to find anyone yet. called those guys several times, but no answer. wouldn't have thought it would be that difficult to get someone in the city to look at this machine -- or even call me back.

any ideas? getting desperate.

Rudy's L&R found again!

I had taken my Olympia Cremina to the various restaurant row locations of Rudy's L & R in NYC since the 1990s. Like many of you I had tried in vain to track him down from the many old, out-of-date and just plain wrong web citations. But I am happy to share with you that he(?) they(?) are still around fixing machines mostly for restaurants in the city. He has a workshop somewhere in NJ and uses a van to make daily trips to his clients picking up and dropping off machines.

He can be texted or called at: (Nine One Seven) Four Five Three - Nine Seven Eight Six.

You can ship a machine to him or meet him in NY on one of his pick up and drop off runs. His work is still very good and fairly affordable.

Like any business in NYC, Rudy has his selective pick of customers. Getting to Rudy is a bit like finding a good speakeasy in prohibition years. The only way I was ever able to get there was to knock on the door (it's an unassuming townhouse that doesn't look like a business from the outside). A lady came down and examined me to see that I am cool enough and not a federal agent. After a few minutes with her the owner came down and once he was convinced, they were happy to show me some of their machines in repair and restoration. They also had a bunch of very cool machines for sale, both old and new and at the end, in spite of a bizarre experience they were really nice, knowledgeable and cool.

My Gaggia Achille lever machine broke down (yet again, it breaks down more than making espresso). Whole Latte Love (the importer, under the name Importika) does not stock parts even though it is still under warranty so I was looking for an alternative repair shop. I can't get Rudy on the phone (disconnected).

HOWEVER, through my searches I found that Porto Rico Coffee Company (http://portorico.com) has a repair shop in Williamsburg (though you can leave your machine for repair in their Saint Marks Place or Bleecker Street locations).

I also hear that Cerini (http://www.cerinicoffee.com) in the Bronx does some repairs, if you are willing to schlep your equipment there and not a boroughphob like myself

Some of the restaurant supply shops in the Bowery have espresso repair service but I don't trust them. Looks like I will be upgrading to the Expobar Office Lever myself now. The Gaggia is spectacular when it works, but I feel like giving my hand a rest and I am sick of this experimental machine breaking down. (5 different manufacturing related issues in 7 months of ownership, this one won't last).

How was your repair experience with the Expobar? Where did you end up fixing it? This is good info to know before I get it!