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Gasket wearing out?

Postby innermusic on Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:42 pm

Machine is only 4 months old but I'm having to twist the PF farther and farther to the right otherwise it starts leaking. Is this normal?
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Postby HB on Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:43 pm

Gaskets wear out more quickly if you regularly overtighten; running the machine for many hours will also dry out the gasket more quickly. Needing to tighten the portafilter more and more is the #1 symptom of gasket wear. Whether it's "normal" is a matter of how hard you torque the portafilter, how many hours per day the machine is on, and the particulars of the model (e.g., the Rancilio Silvia I owned wore through gaskets faster than other espresso machines I've used; I don't know why).

Bottom line: Gaskets are a regular maintenance item. Replace them as needed.
Dan Kehn
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Postby cannonfodder on Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:42 am

Some baskets or after market portafilters will lock in at different angles due to heights in the basket, size of the lugs, etc... just for future reference. Also make sure you wipe any stray grounds off the basket lip and portafilter ears. Coffee on those will act like sand paper and wear the gasket and group lugs. People often overtighten portafilters. Dont be obsessed with getting the handle in the 6oclock position. You should be able to lock the portafilter in with two fingers, it takes much less pressure than most people think.
Dave Stephens
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Postby innermusic on Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:56 pm

I've started tightening more because there is dripping of water at the handle with the bottomless PF. It was always past 6 o'clock but now it's more like 4, or else it drips.
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