Firstly, JavaJunkie, it is good that the patient has recovered.

Secondly, as the unofficial, self-appointed, profile-policeman for this website , filling in your location MIGHT assist you one day with troubleshooting any further maladies (hopefully zero) with your Elektra.

I would be tempted to send an email to Elektra (and others in the distribution chain), referencing this post. I would tell them that you, at least, have photographic evidence, and ask whether they would like to receive the foreign object you removed from the hydraulic circuit of your machine for their analysis. It is more likely than not that yours isn't the only occurance of blockage experienced. I would like to think that they would "jump" at the opportunity to examine the culprit first hand and, at the same time, provide you with some reward for capture. (seriously).

If nothing else, this would give you some indication as to their responsiveness to their customers.

Eric S.