Used Riviera with dead heating element

[kuyote]

Hello,

I have been wanting a lever espresso machine for quite awhile, when I found one on craigslist for cheap. It's an older Riviera, but looks to be in really good condition, unfortunately I took their word that it worked. After plugin it in, and letting it run for awhile, it appears the element is dead. I should have done some research before jumping in, but too late. So now I'm looking for an element that is close to the same, or that I can modify the base to hold. Has anyone had any luck with this?

Does anyone know how the element is removed? It looks like it should unscrew from the bottom with a special tool? I have read many posts of people that suggest contacting Thomas Cara which I will do. But thought I would see if anyone might have some info here, before I'm able to.

Thanks everyone!

[espressme]

Hi,
The machine may have an overheat switch and that died. Is there a scorched small cylinder or small disk with contacts in a power line with the element and the switch?
A couple other solutions come to mind: There is a bolt thru heating element for the Elektra Microcasa that would be very close and a Saeco would be another add in type. $50 to $100. the Saeco would require that you really watch the boiler water level because it would extend to about 3 inches off the boiler base.
Also you might contact these folks that know the machine. here
Good luck!
Richard

[kuyote]

Hey thanks for the link. I'm going to be buying a couple of their seal packs. There is a switch, which I believe is a pressure switch, probably an overheat switch, but I bypassed this, and the element still didn't heat up. So I pulled out my volt meter, and found that the element must be touching the base it is mounted to. There was little resistance when ohm testing the leads, and the base.

It's funny, you mentioned the elektra might have a similar element... yesterday I sent an email to espressocare to ask about the measurements on one of the elektra elements. So I guess I'm headed in the right direction!

Thanks again!

[Hedley Lamar]

Check the continuity across the terminals of the element. If it's open then your Heating Element is Kaput. It can happen easily if the boiler is activated at a low water level or completely empty and power is applied. A exposed element will quickly die. These elements are hard to find. Especially if it is a early model. The felow in San Francisco had a few, years ago but I hear he doesn't service, supply Riviera anymore. The early models are 800W, later models I believe are 1100W. I have repaired 3 Rivieras with dead elements. It requires brazing a proper Bung onto the Brass cap which is part of the dead element. I have a machine shop and isn't hard but is time consuming. There is more to it than just that but once the Spigot is brazed to the cap a common 110V H2O water heater element works well for years and years. The added benefit is that when the boiler runs dry and destroys the element they are readily available for less than $10.00.

[simonarcher]

Hedley, quick question. I'm, currently refurbing a Riveira and the leads on the element are snapped off, more or less flush with the screw cap. Do you know if it is possible to replace them, or would I need to get an element re-built? In which case, your post is intriguing. Can we chat?