I've lurked around these great forums for some time now. But now it's my turn to ask a question:

I recently moved, and during the move it seems that my Silvia has started to leak quite badly at the boiler gasket. I tried replacing the gasket and it is better, but it's still leaking when the boiler builds up pressure. Do I need to use silicone grease to help seal the gasket to the brass boiler? Or is this an issue with Silvias? Any other ideas on how to fix this?

Thanks for any help you might have!

When you moved the machine is there any chance that it was exposed to freezing temperatures?

BillC

I should post a picture ( I need to find it)
of a silvia that somebody sent in for repair,
was moved from Chicago to Berkeley in the back of a pick up
the LOWER brass boiler was cracked in half
magic of ice...

It's definitely possible that the machine got very cold. I did make sure to drain it well before the move. The leak is coming right along the joint of the lower and upper boilers, right where the gasket is. When I replaced the gasket, the leak did change positions a bit, if that means anything.

If the lower boiler cracked, is this a part that can be replaced?

http://www.espressoparts.com/R_5396

http://www.espressoparts.com/R_2945

Not sure if it's this half that's damaged, or whether these are compatible with your version of the Silvia, but yes you should be able to use those parts. Definitely a price where you should think twice and make sure that's your problem before ordering this and realize the leak is coming from elsewhere.

actually the lower half is most likely the issue
make sure the screw didn't strip out from the lower half
( cheaper) and yes we sell it too

When I screwed the upper boiler on, all of the screws tightened just fine. So, I don't think the threads are the issue. But I do plan to pull the machine apart and check the lower half for straightness and cracks. I have the worst luck with espresso machines...

Did you tighten the bolts in the same manner you would do lug nuts on an automobile tire rim?

You snug all of them up and then tighten your first bolt, then do the opposite one, then come back and do one to the left or right of the original, do the opposite, come back across and do the other one next to the original bolt and do the opposite for the last bolt. Repeat just to make sure all are tight. I typically use a box end wrench to add torque to a regular allen wrench if you don't happen to have the T-handle allens.

I have a set of T-handles (I actually broke the one I used to tighten the screws trying to stop that leak.). And I do tighten them like lug nuts. I do one, then do one opposite from it, and work my way around, staggering the screws I tighten. Then I tighten them all up nice and snug. (This isn't my first run-in with boiler issues, sadly.) Unfortunately, that didn't stop the leak...

If the bolts are holding and getting tight
and you can see that the boiler did not warp or crack
try the less expensive option
replace the boiler o-ring
http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qstore.c...ler+Gasket