Olympia Cremina - how hard should it be to move the lever when cold?

[mattwells]

My Cremina is pulling some beautiful shots (also thanks to PT's and the Holiday Wish List for the pound of excellent espresso) and even the wife approves (lots of comments about how small it is, but it may need to be repainted - some chips in the paint and red would make her happier).

One question, how difficult should the lever be to move when cold? Mine is pretty tough to move - LOTS of resistance. I assume that is because of the tight fit of the gasket, but read in some thread that it may be a sign of the gasket going. I searched and came back with a ton of results that didn't answer my question.

Any input would be appreciated.

[starry]

Bought mine a year ago and it's a bit stiff when cold, but not what I would call hard to move. I've been thinking about lubricating with silicone grease that has been discussed elsewhere. I believe it's FDA approved and withstands heat well.

[mogogear]

My moderate experience with this ( through 3 different Cremina's) is that it is moderately resistant( to just a bit more than moderate) till you flush the first flush. Then the water helps things move along. I have seen it recommended that when the machine is cold do not do up and down motions. This can damage or at least shorten the life of the extreme edges of the V seals on the piston as they are obviously stiffer when cold.

Wait till it warms up , then raise the lever to admit water for the first flush and then bring back down. Lube can be used periodically - this would be based on your personal prerogative. Lube can be over used and just gunk up at the top of the piston travels. So be spare in the amount you use. All this is all IMHO...I invite others to jump in here..

[starry]

I'd say that advice is spot-on. Mine has been doing alright for a year w/o any added lubrication and I don't pump when cold either.

[bobcraige]

It should move easily and smoothly.

[srobinson]

I am with Bob...it should move easily. When working well, most will do the Olympia salute...that being raise the handle when they cool off. If you have resistance, could be anything from gaskets to grooved handle pins, to damaged piston sleeve (ask me how I know)...May be worth cleaning the grouphead and piston to see if there is any wear causing the problem.

[mogogear]

It SHOULD move smoothly when the machine is off Bob- and mine does that too. I differ with you with regards to when first heated up and there is pressure above the piston and the "newness" of the light lubrication from the last rebuild has dissipated.

I have new seals that travel in a nicely honed cylinder that was lubed with Dow 111. It has been 7 months since the first use. I only do single pulls. I use Britta water. I only do the cleaning procedure as stated above - once a year.

I get, as stated, moderate resistance from the piston till water is admitted. I am of the mind that most other Cremina users experience the same modest phenomenon to some degree. Excepting your machine of course..........

Sorry Bob if this seems snarky- Your posts often seem to feel so....... absolute. Of course my burden is that my posts wreak of verbosity among other things.....

Ciao

[srobinson]

I think the original question was resistance with a cold machine. If you open up the boiler cap then you should have minimal resistance to lift the handle....if you have water in the boiler there will be minor resistance as water is pumped into the grouphead. If the boiler is empty then mine moves pretty easy.

On a hot machine it is a different story. You should have resistance until the piston passes the fill inlet.

[mogogear]

Thanks for waking me up Steve- My eyes read "cold " and my mind thought "when first pulling up the lever to warm up the group"- poor translation on my part... at best.

[srobinson]

No prob..that's why I tried to answer both...very different...hope things are well