Hello Folks,

After lurking here for quite a while in the past year or so, wanting to upgrade from several years of using a home machine (the Saeco Aroma), after looking for many months for a older machine to restore and finding this Elektra 2 Group Commercial machine in a roaster's basement 'cave', I finally decided to join in

As you can see from the picture, it needs work


BUT... And that's the cherry on the sundae... In the deal, I got another identical machine as a parts donor that turns out to have the next consecutive serial number!!! What's the chance on finding TWO machines with consecutive serial numbers in a remote corner of a repairman's basement?!

So my question is... Do you know this machine's name? On the manufacturer's identification plate there is only "Art. T" (see picture)


My second question is... The purge valve on the right group leaks


I don't have any spare but after I took it apart I noticed inside the valve what would seem to be a missing teeny o-ring under the solenoid plunger - has anyone attempted to replace it?

one of these? if so contact stefanos. if not, still contact stefano



p.s. I have a thread on rebuild my elektra T1 of a similar vintage as yours.
jim

What's worse than getting a machine that looks like that?
Getting TWO machines that look like that!

espressojr wrote:one of these? if so contact stefanos. if not, still contact stefano

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p.s. I have a thread on rebuild my elektra T1 of a similar vintage as yours.
jim

Thanks, espressojr, I saw your thread

These, o-rings, I have... Got quite a few over the years, just have to rummage through them...

I'm talking about the o-ring inside of the valve body (rightmost part):


Notice the o-ring at the bottom of the valve body in the picture below? Seems to be made of copper... I surmise it's worn and probably why the valve is leaking...


Hmmm... Looking at the pictures in more detail, I'm not so sure it's the problem anymore... That copper part can't possibly be sealing against the bottom of the piston, it's got a groove in it! how does the valve seal, then? Could the seal be made by that red disk (bottom of plunger on this picture)


Same kind of disk seal for the top (but it's slightly larger)...


Wiping it it's smooth with no dents whatsoever... Could this be made of ruby by any chance? Looking at the jet surfaces on the head


I don't see any dents, nor other way it could be sealing... Hmmm!

So where could the leak come from? Any ideas? Since I've taken everything apart (it's in an unheated storage room - took it apart to remove water to make sure it wouldn't freeze), I can't really test any theories ...

Randy G. wrote:What's worse than getting a machine that looks like that?
Getting TWO machines that look like that!

Actually, the second machine (with missing parts in this picture, as I got it) is in much cleaner condition:


The guy I got it from has a café and roasts his own coffee on the main floor, where his wife serves customers, and in the basement, he repairs espresso machines... He had been taken this one apart and cleaned it, and during rebuild he twisted the second head pipe (notice it's missing in the picture?)... So because he has no soldering skills, he decided to overhaul the other machine instead, which is actually in grungier condition!... What's the big deal with soldering copper pipes, you ask? So do I! In any case... His lack of plumbing skills is my gain... He even promised me to give me any missing parts of the machines as he finds them, I even asked for the 'broken' parts as I can rebuild pipe sections as long as I can take the fittings off and solder them on new pipes...

Old Faithful wrote:Notice the o-ring at the bottom of the valve body in the picture below? Seems to be made of copper... I surmise it's worn and probably why the valve is leaking...
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Nope

Old Faithful wrote: Hmmm... Looking at the pictures in more detail, I'm not so sure it's the problem anymore... That copper part can't possibly be sealing against the bottom of the piston, it's got a groove in it! how does the valve seal, then? Could the seal be made by that red disk (bottom of plunger on this picture)

Yup.

Those little seals get worn out and replacements are not available. The symptoms as you describe indicate these seals being worn. You must replace the entire solenoid valve OR replace the nucleus (what you call the plunger) with an appropriate replacement. Unfortunately the nucleus is a special order item and terribly expensive for such a little piece.

EDIT: bad link. go to espressoparts.com and search "parker"

If the second machine is only missing the right group heat exchanger tube, just take one off of the first machine and work with the cleaner machine, or just order a replacement pipe. You will want a set of metric spanner wrenches to take the fittings apart. Get with Stefano and he can set you up with seals and parts. He will make life much easier.

Old Faithful wrote:Actually, the second machine (with missing parts in this picture, as I got it) is in much cleaner condition:

I was kidding, in part to hide my jealousy. If I had the time and spare cash I would be doing he same thing.
I overhauled my VBM DS before selling it and went so far as to take a rag and some flour of pumice and hand shine the boiler.

jonny wrote:Those little seals get worn out and replacements are not available. The symptoms as you describe indicate these seals being worn.

Looking under high magnification, I can't see any wear at all. The surface of the red disk is perfectly polished, there are no indentations whatsoever.


However, looking closely at the lower jet surface, there is a minute indentation in the metal.


I guess I found the problem...

Sorry I realized my link was bad so I "fixed" it. Those seals can harden regardless of any indentations, but if you have a bad seat in the valve guide like you suspect, you can replace the valve here: http://www.espressoparts.com/F_969?&search_id=1946805