I will check my history on my computer (tonighgt) to see if I can find a link to submerged coil issues. It happened to a couple of guys in Australia that were restoring an Astoria Argenta, I believe, and they had very explicit instructions on how to troubleshoot and fix it.

I turned the pump and it's much looser than it was before I descaled it I can tell you that.

Thanks for checking for links, I appreciate it. I got the machine cheap, but hopefully can avoid the costliest part replacements.

. . . because of this page even has a photo of a submerged pump

And, if you look a little closer, it APPEARS the pump is submerged up to its "neck". But that's neither here nor there - I don't agree with doing any submergence "descaling" of a pump especially when you consider that a "factory rebuilt", fully tested pump is about $35. There does not exist, to the best of my knowledge, any thread on rebuilding a rotary pump. Chris (user name Gyro) did disassemble a Fluid-O-Tech TMFR pump (as have I) but that particular pump has no seal as does your typical rotary pump. I do agree that pumps have been rescued from the morgue by applying a little descale solution to the ports and here's hoping your adventure turns out well.

Here is the link to the heating element rescue - hope you don't need it - http://www.orphanespresso.com/Heating-E ... _2823.html

Thanks, opened up the ends of the element, appears to have some sort of sealant where the threaded rod comes out. Appears to be wax, but I imagine not. Will leave it open for a bit. BTW I mearured resistance at 7k.

Where are the 35$ pumps being sold from?

Here is the page about the "moisture inside elements", it was for a large Rancilio unit rebuild see: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1219929823/50 . I hope you're having as much fun w/ the process as I do. One of the toughest parts (for me the novice repairman) was finding the right gaskets and so forth, until I realized that (at least for the boiler assembly) the Rancilio Epoca boiler parts are identical to those of the S27 see http://www.espressoparts.com/epocaonegroupboiler . I am still looking for new (or new "old") feet for my S27 since they broke in shipping 6 years ago- I just bondo'd the shards together but now that it's all accessible it would be great to find replacements.
I bought some other items at http://www.mcmaster.com/ (including the small Viton washer needed between the group head and the boiler). We always keep the espresso machine powered on - therefor the melamine insulation. I had used some really flimsy drainpipe previously but am upgrading to the reinforced material. Anyone have tips on how to keeping the tiny "petri" drain dish from clogging all the time?

1 9263K292 1 Pack Metric Viton(r) Fluoroelastomer O-ring, 1.5 Mm Width, 6 Mm Id
2 86145K21 1 Each Melamine Foam Insulation, 24" X 48", 1/2" Thick, Light Gray
3 5393K431 5 Ft. 3-a Sanitary Clear Pvc Vacuum Tubing, 1/2" Id, 3/4" Od, 1/8" Wall Thickness

This is my first time ever participating in a forum, please let me know if some of the remarks/questions I am posing should be located elsewhere, I guess my excitement is getting the better of me . . .

Here is one source on rebuilt/exchange pumps: http://www.jcbeverage.com/index.html

I really appreciate your help detigel, cannonfodder and erics. I am having a good time. Preparing for a sizeable order from espresso parts. Hopefully they have everything I need, though supposedly the boiler gasket is back ordered. I am somewhat expecting the old Rancilio parts to not exist anymore, with a more modern equivalent on offer. I just hope that makes sense to the vendor, I don't want to pay more for some old stock when there are better/newer stuff for cheaper.

Most of us have been there.

The Faema rebuild project

I read your rebuild, very interesting.

Can you tell me if you put any putty or grease into your steam valve? I haven't opened mine yet, because I can't, but I don't know if I have to lube it somehow afterwards.

I also wonder where you got the gauges. I'd love to install a grouphead pressure gauge, though I'm not sure how that would be plumbed in. Suggestions?

You can use Dow Corning 111 food safe lube. Just a drop will do and a tube will last 3 lifetimes. The brew pressure gauge. You have to cut the copper line running from the pump to the group, install a T and run a line to the pressure gauge. Relatively simple to do.