La Cimbali Junior M21 DT1 scaling issues/solution
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- Posts: 4
- Joined: 15 years ago
I purchased this machine on Craig's list 2 years ago and immediately had to have the machine serviced and pump replaced as it was locked up with scale. Of course that is a bad sign but as I only paid $1200 the initial $400 repair was not a bad investment and our local Houston coffee service that supports La Cimbali, Geva Premium Coffee, was excellent with their advice and service to newby espresso machine user. At that time they did indicate if scale became a major problem taking apart machine and acid washing was only practical solution, and that would cost a reasonable amount (as one would expect!) for them to do that service. Now as far as water the machine is plumbed into very low hardness water (registers "0" on test strips) supplied by a ion exchange water softener. So machine was fine for some time, then last year developed this problem, coincident with running machine for 10 days on higher hardness water after salt ran out with ion exchanger:
• Machine filled poorly and overfilled, leaking water everywhere, and getting to pressure was an issue.
o TLC with draining water through wand while filling might get your coffee
• Wet pucks if you did get it more or less working
• Leaked water all over the place when left with active water inlet, with machine on or off
Now cleaning/polishing fill sensor probe gained me some time, but issue came back even with water strictly soft.
Since then Geva Coffee has a look and cleaned scale from fill sensor probe and a valve, I think inlet valve.
So machine subsequently worked for some months and now problem is back. Also when I do a cleaning cycle with espresso detergent I get small particles of scale in portafilter.
So clearly scale is the demon and I am thinking likely boiler has lots of scale given previous owner apparently did not use softened water. I suspect this scale comes back into the system to gum up the works, so as to speak.
Question is this: should I cave in and do the complete machine disassembly with acid wash, or can I muddle along with citric acid preventive descaling, as discussed in Jim Schulman's Insanely Long Water FAQ?
If thumbs up for the preventive descaling, then I would really appreciate any advice. I am wondering if I should:
1. Fill a bucket with citric acid solution.
2. Disconnect inlet hose and place in bucket (I suspect higher level than machine?).
3. Run solution through machine waiting required time.
4. Ensure machine is overfilled (not a problem - does that anyway)
5. Flush lots.
Am I missing anything? Also with the Junior DT1 - it has a boiler drain cock and so perhaps I can simply drain solution after descale, or even just fill boiler manually and drain. Or is that worth the hassle?
If thumbs down for the preventive descaling and I have to disassemble and acid wash - can I do that myself or do I need to get professional help? Prefer to have a go myself first but I don't want to try something and show up to the professional with a crate full of parts I don't know how to put back together. Are there any shop manuals or other guides for the M21 Junior DT1 available that I should purchase?
Any input most appreciated!
Thanks very much, Brian
• Machine filled poorly and overfilled, leaking water everywhere, and getting to pressure was an issue.
o TLC with draining water through wand while filling might get your coffee
• Wet pucks if you did get it more or less working
• Leaked water all over the place when left with active water inlet, with machine on or off
Now cleaning/polishing fill sensor probe gained me some time, but issue came back even with water strictly soft.
Since then Geva Coffee has a look and cleaned scale from fill sensor probe and a valve, I think inlet valve.
So machine subsequently worked for some months and now problem is back. Also when I do a cleaning cycle with espresso detergent I get small particles of scale in portafilter.
So clearly scale is the demon and I am thinking likely boiler has lots of scale given previous owner apparently did not use softened water. I suspect this scale comes back into the system to gum up the works, so as to speak.
Question is this: should I cave in and do the complete machine disassembly with acid wash, or can I muddle along with citric acid preventive descaling, as discussed in Jim Schulman's Insanely Long Water FAQ?
If thumbs up for the preventive descaling, then I would really appreciate any advice. I am wondering if I should:
1. Fill a bucket with citric acid solution.
2. Disconnect inlet hose and place in bucket (I suspect higher level than machine?).
3. Run solution through machine waiting required time.
4. Ensure machine is overfilled (not a problem - does that anyway)
5. Flush lots.
Am I missing anything? Also with the Junior DT1 - it has a boiler drain cock and so perhaps I can simply drain solution after descale, or even just fill boiler manually and drain. Or is that worth the hassle?
If thumbs down for the preventive descaling and I have to disassemble and acid wash - can I do that myself or do I need to get professional help? Prefer to have a go myself first but I don't want to try something and show up to the professional with a crate full of parts I don't know how to put back together. Are there any shop manuals or other guides for the M21 Junior DT1 available that I should purchase?
Any input most appreciated!
Thanks very much, Brian