After giving it another try (now that I learned the error of my ways) the OPV was cranked way too far to the right. I don't recall being that aggressive with it. I think it just shipped that way. But either way, I was able to get the runoff tube to expell 2 oz. of water at 30 seconds.

The failure to communicate has been all mine. So none of this "we" stuff. You guys have been amazing. Thank you

Well. That settles that, then. Whoopsie. Forging ahead... and re-casting myself in a new light, here's a pic of what I think is the overflow tube, which is connected to the OPV adjustment valve: {image} You can kinda see a bit of water trapped inside the tube. When I pull a shot a little bit of

Yes. I had the blind basket in place. Is this desired? Should I just pack a double basket with grounds instead? I ran it again a few times since my last post. The OPV is now loosened so far counter-clockwise that the rubber tube is beginning to twist. Not too much to cut off flow, but still, this ca...

Okay. I had to go out of town.. now I'm back. The machine is still apart and I have time to play. Again. I'm confused. The pressure runoff is the rubber tube that's connected to the OPV, and normally goes into the rear reservoir, right? Okay. Fine. I pulled that out and put a cup underneath it. I op...

It was a joke. I can't really see my reflection in it. In other words, "afraid of nothing"

Oh, I'm laughing it up. And will be for years. Via the power of the Internet, future generations will be able to look back on this time as: "Oh, that's when that no-nuthin' Bradley Allen guy first looked under the hood of an espresso machine... and was frightened by his own distorted reflection in t...

Okay. Here I am at the threshold. I've got a few questions/observations... First, I want to double confirm that the OPV valve is 'lefty loosey, righty tighty' (left lowers the pressure, right increases the pressure). I've cranked to the left and to the right, and either way this is what happens: The...

Thanks! I took another look at it and yeah, I'll just take the Allen wrench to the Gicar... it should be easy then

Hey there mister shadowfax. It is time. Enough is enough. Operating the La Valentina Levetta way over 9 BAR (as shipped) is just killin' me. Argh! I'd love to understand why someone would sell them that way by default. But I digress. So I have the back off and can now see inside. I feel so nerdy!......