Water leakage in La Pavoni Europiccola steam wand

[jerker]

I have a La Pavoni Europiccola (about one year old). I works fine for espresso but not for cappuccino. When I use the steam pipe (or the cappuccino automatic device) water leaks through the steam pipe (making the milk watery). Does anyone know why this happens and how it can be repaired?

[mbach]

If your machine is filled too high (above sight glass) the steam valve will allow only water to be pushed through. Have you tried making cappuccino with the water about 3/4 up the sight glass?
matthew

[cannonfodder]

My Factory (Pavoni with a Gaggia badge) will only blow water out the steam wand if I have the boiler too full, as mbach suggested. I normally fill to just below the top of the sight glass because I always pull 3-4oz water to warm the GH and purge the steam wand. If you go to my new handle thread you can see the water level in the sight tube. I steam after I pull my shot so what you see is where my water level is when I steam (after flush, steam purge and shot).

Edit: boy, that last sentence sounds like a 5 year old

[jerker]

Thanks for your replies. However, it is not a problem of overfilling. I always fill up to 3/4 of the sight glass. The problem remains even when the boiler is less than half full. Could it be that the temperature is too low?

[cannonfodder]

Do you have a pressure gauge? If so, what is the boiler pressure?

[jerker]

no. no pressure gauge on europiccola.

[cannonfodder]

Interesting, not sure where to go from here. Even if the boiler was running low, you still should not get water blowing out, you would get anemic steam. Have you tried purging steam through it for 15-20 seconds prior to frothing? Maybe it is a condensation issue and a good preheat of the steam tube may reduce it.

[jerker]

I have tried that. The problem is reduced, but not eliminated.