Questions about restoring used Cimbali Bistro-Board is working! - Page 16

by **cyclones** on Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:40 am

Here is the place where I think there might be a blockage. But I was not having much luck getting this apart when I had the machine torn down.

The tube on the left goes to the flowmeter. The tube on the right goes to the boiler (which fills properly). The one on the far right, that's pretty much out of this picture, is incoming water.

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · by **erics** on Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:40 am

The hydraulic diagrams on pages 27-30 here sorta explains it: http://www.home-barista.com/downloads/l...manual.pdf . It is a check-valve & expansion valve "assembly". I would disassemble with caution as it MAY be made from unobtanium.

by **movnmik** on Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:03 pm

Chris

It's great to hear that the board is working! I've been out on vacation the last week and still haven't decided to get my board fixed or buy one. Will make up my mind shortly. I do have a question. I'm having a slight leak where the economizer attaches to the boiler and thought it was a copper ring/gasket. Is that what you have ordered or is it a white plastic gasket?

Did you soak every copper/brass fitting in the citric acid solution? I made sure that every fitting took a bath. I'm thinking you probably have a scale blockage someplace.

Congrats on your progress so far!

Mike

cyclones wrote:OK, next...
I have a gasket coming for the economizer connection to the boiler,but by just snugging the screws, I was able to stop that leak (I'm still going to replace the gasket when it comes in). But I still have a very slow leak from "inside" the economizer -- around the adjustment screw. I think it's due to the little green gasket in there. That little gasket is quite stiff. Originally I wasn't going to take the economizer apart -- but it's probably good I did; there was a lot of scale in it. My original plans meant that I didn't order a gasket. I think I'll see if the people in Des Moines have one.

Also, there is no water moving when I press the brew button -- something is blocking it. I took apart the line at the flow meter and it is bone dry. No water is even going into the FM. So water must not be getting past this really complex looking setup at the back of the machine where the water comes in. I have no idea what it is called. The input line goes into it. The boiler fill/economizer line hooks to it. The line to the flow meter connects to it. I wasn't able to get that apart easily, so I decided to just leave it. It may have a blockage in it. That's the best I can think of right now. Obviously, the water can get to the economizer connection, but may not be making it back to where the flow meter line connects.

I'll go get a picture of it so you all know what I'm talking about if you don't already.

by **cyclones** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:13 am

Mike,
Mine is a green rubber gasket. The replacement didn't come today, but hopefully tomorrow! I also need a replacement gasket for the economizer adjustment screw -- it's a very small green one.

Today I got my cafelat tamper and mat, and a stainless steel pitcher. The cafelat tamper is quite impressive in its weight.

I am trying to take apart the check valve and related parts right now using some hot water to try to loosen them up like I did with the group head. Hopefully this goes well and I get water flowing to the group head.

by **cyclones** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:55 am

I got the assembly apart. The blockage is definitely in the check valve. I don't know if the valve will come apart or not. I guess we'll see. I'll give it a try and see what happens. I'm looking for further input from you guys on where next to go with this.

by **cyclones** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:57 am

i was surprised but I got it apart and found crud inside. Citric acid seemed to work to take it off. The valve is soaking overnight because I needed to sleep. Crossing my fingers that this will make the check valve work again.

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · by **erics** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:53 am

And what about the expansion valve? That needs to be set and tested for proper functioning and, making the assumption that it could be "crudded up" also, the setting and testing would not be too valid.

by **movnmik** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:35 am

Chris,

Once you get that thing fired up, sleep will be all but a distant memory!

cyclones wrote:i was surprised but I got it apart and found crud inside. Citric acid seemed to work to take it off. The valve is soaking overnight because I needed to sleep.

by **cyclones** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:24 pm

I put the check valve in a fresh, hot acid bath this morning, and when I got home, more junk had come out. I rinsed the thing off and then took a paper clip, stuck it up the hose connection and was able to get the valve unstuck using little force. I then put it all back in the acid bath to get the inside cleaned out. Looks like this challenge is behind me! So now the brew buttons should result in water through the group head.

The expansion valve has also been soaking in the acid bath, but I don't know if I'll get it apart or not. It looks like ideally it needs a very wide blade screwdriver or similar tool to get it apart. So far, my straight blades have not been able to break it loose. I could try boiling water again I suppose.

Only things left are the little washer in the hot water economizer and possibly the vacuum breaker.

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · by **erics** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:49 pm

. . . very wide blade screwdriver . . .

Or what's called a drag link socket or a purpose ground hardened fender washer.


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