How to use a La Cimbali Liberty

[AngerManagement]

I have a 1984 La Cimbali Liberty (brass) that has been mistreated and I need some guidance.

While the tank has had plenty of scale and some pitting the rest of the system appears to be responding to lots of TLC.
O-rings and seals have been changed, the pressure thermostat has been fully cleaned and tested.

However when it comes to using it I get crap results.

Switch it on.
Let it heat up - about 0.3 bar and I can hear the thermostat switch in and out.
Open steam valve (knob) to steam milk.
Close steam valve.
Load portafilter with coffee
Tamp coffee ( If packed too high it fouls, 10 ml below Top of Basket - looks OK)
LOWER ARM to load brew head with water.
Count to 5 or 10...
Lift UP arm

At this point you should expect to have coffee / crema entering the cup ?

PROBLEM: Maybe ?

1: Lever on Spring return, goes straight UP with little resistance except for the last inch or two - 05 - 10 mL of Coffee and No Crema ? Just Dark brown fluid.

2: Manually control the lever return slowly and experience little resistance - 20 - 30 mL of Coffee and No Crema ? Just Dark brown fluid.

Have tried course and fine grinds as well as packing / tamping. Not sure just how fine the coffee should be with this unit. I am using a KG100 and have a few notches to go before at the bottom setting.

Further testing- Hot Water through the head and empty filter and into a cup = 89C - 90C so have to assume the temp is about right, but could go a little higher ?

I also noticed that the PF has a star pattern of larger holes and have never seen this before in the PF's that I have looked at ? Is this normal or has the previous owner attempted a modification of some type. Any guidance on this matter of these holes / status of the PF OR steps to get a better shot from this system would be most welcome.

AM

[hbuchtel]

It's possible that (for some reason) the chamber is not filling completely, can you try

Switch it on.
Let it heat up - about 0.3 bar and I can hear the thermostat switch in and out.
Open steam valve (knob) to steam milk.
Close steam valve.
Load portafilter with coffee
Tamp coffee ( If packed too high it fouls, 10 ml below Top of Basket - looks OK)
LOWER ARM to load brew head with water.
Count to 5 or 10...

Count to 20 or 30? (or more)

Lift UP arm

If this gives you more resistance and a fuller cup then this is probably your problem.

Henry

[timo888]

Another test: grind to a Turkish powder and use a heavy tamp in a deliberate attempt to stall the machine. Report findings.
Timo

[AngerManagement]

Another test: grind to a Turkish powder and use a heavy tamp in a deliberate attempt to stall the machine. Report findings.
Timo

Have obtained a second hand Basket and a Custom Tamper As soon as they arrive I will be able to do some further testing..

Will keep all advised and hope to include a pic or two.

[AngerManagement]

Another test: grind to a Turkish powder and use a heavy tamp in a deliberate attempt to stall the machine. Report findings.
Timo

Have obtained a second hand Basket and a Custom Tamper As soon as they arrive I will be able to do some further testing..

Will keep all advised and hope to include a pic or two.

[timo888]

Have obtained a second hand Basket and a Custom Tamper As soon as they arrive I will be able to do some further testing..

The test I suggested could be done with the old basket. When I'm using lighter roasts, my Peppina likes a very fine grind. A grind that worked fine in a Silvia and in an Olympia were as nothing to Peppina, and the shots were taking five seconds. So my test was designed to let you determine at which point (if ever) your machine stalls.

Regards
Timo

[AngerManagement]

The test I suggested could be done with the old basket. When I'm using lighter roasts, my Peppina likes a very fine grind. A grind that worked fine in a Silvia and in an Olympia were as nothing to Peppina, and the shots were taking five seconds. So my test was designed to let you determine at which point (if ever) your machine stalls.

Regards
Timo

My problem is that I am also looking for the $$$ to be able to afford a good grinder. The KG100 is OK but it does not really grind as smooth as I would like when down at the bottom end.

THIS weekend, either way I will run some shots

AM