Yikes! take a look at this fitting...that scale?

[torretta]

any suggestions on how to fix this or even how it could have happened?

the steaming power lately has been weaker than usually and I have noticed that the heating element cycles more often then before...

[Randy G.]

How long have you had the machine?
Did you get it new?
How often does it get used/how many pulls a day?
What water are you using?
Have you checked the water's hardness?
How often do you descale?
How often do you examine the machine?
When did you first see this build up?
Does is hiss, sputter, or drip from that leak?

But I will guess... Just looking at that, it either has been slowly leaking there for a long time, or you have hard water, and likely both. That fitting should be removed and examined and possibly replaced. It should be wrapped with teflon tape (check with manufacturer or service dept.). The machine should be descaled and the water TDS/hardness checked. Inexpensive TDS meters are available. Do a search on eBay. The mineral deposits could be affecting the pressurestat... If yours is plumbed it should probably be hooked to a filtration/softening system.

[wookie]

As suggested above, your fitting looks like it is leaking & the minerals in your water have left deposits/scale/salts there. Disassemble the fitting, clean it & assuming it is a pipe thread, use some teflon thread on the threads (to help seal it) when you put it back together. Most likely as good as new after you clean it up. There doesn't appear to be any serious corrosion.

[cannonfodder]

That is caused by a tiny water leak. I am not sure what is on the other side of that fitting, but if it is copper and the tubing has some wiggle room, you could unscrew the line going to it, give the fitting a quarter turn, or less and reattach the line and see if that takes care of it. Otherwise, you will need to unscrew the fitting, clean it up, give it a couple wraps of Teflon tape and screw it back in.

Your other issue, long recovery, boiler cycling, etc... is a symptom of scale buildup but as Randy states, much more information is needed.

[stefano65]

The mineral build up leaking out is the obvious answer and possibility
right on the spot
but looks like also teflon tape stick out
can you touch it and feel it?

[torretta]

hey all, thanks for the replies! There was no teflon tape on this fitting as it was original and I was able to scrape off the white crustation.

The machine is a Cimbali M21 purchased in 2004. I leave it on 24/7 with moderate use. I havent checked the water hardness lately but do use the double Everpure water filtration and softening system. Although, I have never descaled any part of this machine.

So far, I just cleaned off the white stuff and applied a few drops of Loctite Blue to see if it will seal the leak. I dont really want to start to disassemble this machine as I rather not mess something up in the process!

It does seem odd how this fitting just started to leak like this...

[cannonfodder]

I would say you are ready for a descale after 4 years of 24/7 use. Even with filters and a softener you will eventually get some scale. The key is water hardness, that will dictate how often you need to descale.

[cafeIKE]

Loctite is NOT a pressure sealant. It's NOT food certified.
Here's the MSDS.

STRONGLY recommend you contact a QUALIFIED technician and have the unit serviced.
Lord knows what other fixes are in the offing

[torretta]

you are all right...I should probably get this thing serviced by a tech and it has been 4 years. As you can see from my quick fixes...I try to avoid going over my head with messing around with the machine.

I wont divulge any of my weekend auto mechanic tribulations!

[Grant]

It is typical to also see increased scale buildup at the point where different metals make contact. Someone smarter than me (knowing these forums) will soon be along to provide detailed chemical and thermodynamic reasons.

[Goloso]

More info here:
http://www.ocean.udel.edu/seagran...ons/corrosion.html