Restoration of an Olympia Cremina - Page 5

[cpl593h]

Reckon you don't fancy them milk stuff.

No, I don't really like the milk stuff. To me, there's nothing better than straight, unadulterated espresso. It might have something to do with my milk protein intolerance...

The pressure gauge is easily removable for when I do feel like a soy capp.

[rebank]

Steve,

I am new on this board. Wanted to say that this was an outstanding effort on your part with outstanding results.

I have a Riviera machine, which is about 20-25 years old. The piston on it looks identical to yours, i.e. it has 4 small holes! The group head is held by 4 bolts. The diameter of the shower screen is about 45 mm, and I cannot find the screen anywhere. It is a snap on, basket type. If yours is the right size, I may have found it! Could you please measure your screen (or any one of you, gentlemen, with an Olympia)?

Thanks in advance,
Edward

[srobinson]

I think the Olympia is going to be a tad larger than that. Outside diameter about 48-49mm. I could not find my calipers tonight to get an exact reading for you. What size basket do you use....49?

I would call Thomas E. Cara, Ltd. at (415) 781-0383. I think they do service on Riviera and should be able to let you know if the part is available.

[rebank]

The basket is 45 mm. I did talk to Christopher Cara. No luck, he does not have the screens of this size and cannot get them. I am thinking of having a screen made, but need to give something to the fabricator.

Thanks,
Edward

[slips01]

I have enjoyed your description of the repair to the Olympia.
I have two of them which I have owned for over 20 years.
I need to replace the piston gaskets, but for the life of me can't figure out how to get the piston assembly apart.
Can you advise?

[bobcraige]

It has been a decade since I rebuilt my machine, but I think I still remember. It is probably best if you remove the group assembly from the machine before you start. This is done by removing the four allen head bolts holding it to the boiler. You could do it on the machine as well, but it is probably easier to work on with the group assembly off the machine. Next you need to remove the circlip holding the pin that goes through the piston shaft. You should only need to remove the clip from one end. This is best done with a proper circlip pliers, but can be done without if you are careful. Next, push out the pin. You need to take the two nuts off the top of the piston shaft. Now, push the piston out by pressing from the top. This will pop off the shower head in the process, which is the only safe way to remove it. The whole piston should come out without problem at this point. Be very carful when removing the seals not to scratch anything. It is important to put a very light coat of food grade hi temp grease on the parts as they go back together. As I recall, I used a food grade silicone grease from Dow Corning.

Bob Craige

LMWDP #47

[peacecup]

I have a Riviera machine, which is about 20-25 years old. The piston on it looks identical to yours, i.e. it has 4 small holes! The group head is held by 4 bolts. The diameter of the shower screen is about 45 mm, and I cannot find the screen anywhere. It is a snap on, basket type. If yours is the right size, I may have found it! Could you please measure your screen (or any one of you, gentlemen, with an Olympia)?

I have a Ponte Vecchio (Gensaco) Export (see my post under that title). It has a 45-mm group like the Rivera, and a press-on dispersion screen. Might be able to use it as a substitute for the Rivera. By the way, the small group makes it difficult to pull doubles, but I have been enjoying some very nice 1/2 oz singles since aquiring the PV.

[youngbunny]

Hi - I've been avidly reading all the posts here on Creminas and have to say that this is an amazing place. Anyhow, I have an 81 Cremina and I plan to replace all the gaskets. Everything seems fairly straightfoward as long as I don't break anything - but one big question. How to remove the dispersion screen? I know it snaps on and it has been said to just push down on the piston to pop it off, but I have tried that and it doesn't budge. Of course I am unsure how much pressure is safe. I've tried putting a piece of wood over the top piston shaft and applying pressure to no luck. On another note - anyone have a single filter basket?

[RCMann]

How to remove the dispersion screen? I know it snaps on and it has been said to just push down on the piston to pop it off, but I have tried that and it doesn't budge. Of course I am unsure how much pressure is safe. I've tried putting a piece of wood over the top piston shaft and applying pressure to no luck.

Once you've got the group off, the handle off the group, and the lock nut/acorn nut off the piston shaft, you can put the head on a board (a cutting board is fine) and tap on the top of the shaft with a rubber mallet and the screen will pop off.

If it doesn't pop off, tap harder!

If you don't have a rubber mallet just use a regular hammer, but use a piece of wood over the top of the shaft and hit the wood, not the shaft itself.

Don't hit it so hard that you drive the piston into the board!

Good luck!

[youngbunny]

I have to get the right metric allen wrench to remove the head, but feel more confident I can use a little more force. I was just pushing down on the board over the shaft, which wasn't enough.

I'm gonna order the gasket set from Olympia and was curious if anyone knows an estimate in the US for the VAT, import duties or excise taxes mentioned on their site. The price for the machine gasket set is about $47.

[srobinson]

If you order from the factory, then they will send you an email on the shipping. I would have to go back and look at my shipping costs, but I would estimate in the $20 range off the top of my head. I would also suggest getting the full machine gasket set and replace them all while you are in there. Will get the full machine back into shape and teach you a bit about how it works.

[youngbunny]

Dumb question, but I have the whole machine apart but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to get the power cable out of the chassis - some kinda locking plastic thing.... that is getting close to being demolished if I don't get any tips:)

[srobinson]

That is a headache...it locks on. You can either cut the cord or trim the nylon ring with an exacto until it wiggles out. You will then see how it locks in. Don't do too much damage to it since it is surprisingly a very hard part to find. I reused my on the restoration.

[colom]

First: I am a complete novice!

I hope I'm doing this posting right, I've not joined an online group like this before. I've also just made a major upgrade from a moka pot to an older cremina (it was the one in CA offered on HB last week). I've been studying Steve's awesome rebuild posting very carefully for a few days so I could learn enough to do my own minor repair. My hopes in changing all the gaskets on this machine have been thwarted, because right now, the pin on the handle which passes through the piston shaft will not budge (The other slid right out). It seems practically fused to the lever arm-- I can see some rust. I've wd40'd it and let it sit for some time, but nothing. I've also tapped it (gently) with a hammer ever so often. Has this happened to anyone else? Any good products? Anything I shouldn't use? (I've only done bicycle repairs in the past).

By the way, when you all say to lube, what exactly am I lubing? Should I lube every gasket as I put it on? Even the one on the piston? See how green I am! But don't worry, I'm not using the WD40 for the final lube--I got a food grade tube.

Thanks!
Siri

[youngbunny]

OK, I did manage to wiggle out the cord with the locking thing so I can reuse it. I had so much fun taking the entire machine apart and cleaning it up. Now, as I await the gasket set, I am contemplating a paint job. The brown is kinda cool, but doesn't really match my kitchen - OK - I am a nut - anyhow - I would like to paint it a color close to the original ones offered - that were 4. I know one was a weird golden yellow, then the brown, and I have heard about a red. What is the other? Does anyone have any color samples to send me? I have had really a horrible time emailing the company - they take days to answer emails, and that's a rarity - I usually never hear from them. And they are Swiss - not even Italians! I've basically given up corresponding with them since they are so slow and clueless when it comes to customer service. It is a wonder they are still in business.

[srobinson]

I have seen, yellow, red, orange, brown and even a navy blue. They have a program where you can even get it custom colored. I would just pick out a color that you like and go with that. I would suggest powdercoating if you have a shop in the area. Ferrari red with a carbon fiber front is noodling around in my head for the next build.

[timo888]

Very informative piece and a beautiful machine.

I found a thread on H-B about asbestos abatement of an older Cremina. Is it a good idea to reapply insulation of some type to the boiler after abatement of the original asbestos? Does it throw enough heat to harm the adjacent wiring or connectors or the paint on the cover?

Thanks

[bobcraige]

I believe that later production Cremina 67 machines were all built without insulation on the boiler with seemingly no problems.

[RCMann]

Is it a good idea to reapply insulation of some type to the boiler after abatement of the original asbestos? Does it throw enough heat to harm the adjacent wiring or connectors or the paint on the cover?

After I removed the asbestos, I tried adding insulation which didn't seem to affect performance, so I took it off. I use the machine several times a day and in the last several months there's been no issues with it being too hot. I also repainted the cover and had no problems with bubbling paint, etc.

The boiler is basically the same as later models which have no insulation, the difference being later models are plated...Rod

[youngbunny]

I have had nothing but trouble dealing with Olympia. From the time I ordered parts on their website until I received them was two months. Now, I need another part and after submitting an order online, no response and several emails with no response I am beginning to wonder if the factory blew up and everyone died. I honestly can say Olympia could just as well could be run by a bunch of retarded monkeys.