Hi I am new to espresso machine and just got a 2000 la pavoni. Its supposed to be NOS. After cleaning (its looks new outside) and adding water, boil and then adding Dezcal Descaler, flushed two times. Then I opened the boiler and looked inside with a flash light. I see that lots of spots inside has pinkish color.

I assume this is rust ? Can it be fixed ?

thanks
Robert

just to clarify, its brownish color (like rust) and not pink.

Doubt it. I have not used a 2000 laPav but the standard La Pavoni lever machine has a brass boiler that is chrome plated on the outside.

I don't think it is rust either but it could be scale of some sort (cobberoxide el.) try descaling it a few more times with dezcal or citric acid..please note that the water should turns a little greenish when it start kicking in. it helped alot with mine. Could you post pictures?

thanks gentleman.

I am not only new to espresso machine but is also pretty ignorant on relationship between brass and rust.
I didn't confide to a friend last night and he straightened me out that brass cannot rust.
Hope you can see the image above.

I have only used the Dezcal once by dissolving it in a glass cup first, pour into the boiler, heat it up for an hour before getting it out via the group head. Water coming out of the group has no discoloration.
I also noticed there are quite a bit of residue that looks like sticky fluid remaining in the glass cup. I suppose I didn't melt the Dezcal pkg properly before I poured into the boiler so there's only a little bit of descaler inside??

I will try it again but wondering if vinegar which is easier to mix might work better.

thanks again

Your original post said that it was supposed to be NOS. I also didn't see any signs of scale in the internal picture of the boiler. I'm curious why you are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Instead of removing mineral from the boiler, the descaler appears to be removing copper from the sheathing of the heating element and depositing it on the side of the boiler. My recommendation would be to stop descaling and start worrying about all the rubber parts that have dried out from lack of use and will need to be replaced.

looks like I created a problem out of nothing to begin with. Does it mean I damaged the boiler ?

Sounds like a stupid question, can I assume the boiler is still safe to use ?

Yes, I know it will be a matter of time when i would need to replace the gasket. What kind of sign I should be looking for to know that I would need to replace any gasket? A leak ?

thanks again
A coffee rookie

I actually meant to ask that question last night. If it is a NOS unit, why are you descaling it? Completely unnecessary. Just flush/rinse it out real good, fill it up and make yourself some espresso. Check it again in a year and if you have white scaly buildup in it, then descale it.

thanks Dave, appreciated.

I read quite a bit prior to the purchase. Knowing that I am getting a 11 years old machine, though its supposed to be NOS, I automatically thought I need to clean the inside. Obviously its a mistake. Hopefully it won't be too bad. Its my paranoid.

I am now flushing it with water and looking forward to pulling a shot in very near future.

thanks again

Think it looks fine - remember cobber(-ions) can travel from the parts of cobber to the brassparts in a chemical process, maybe that is the issue.

It is not a big deal, the machine should be ok to use, if you rinse it clearly with water - as a simple test you can always tast the boiler water - if it taste ok, it s ok - if it taste metallic or similar it is not...

I would check the machine once in a while - 3-4 months for descaling - depending on the water you use.

The seals should be ok if the machine is not leaking steam or water. On my Pavoni i'm changing the piston gaskets+grouphead gasket once a year - and that is by daily use.

Good luck with the espresso.