sometimes I get a slight _chatter_ or multiple incidents of light sticking_ only at the very bottom of a stroke of the lever

Does this mean I need to lubricate the seals?

The great guys at Orphan Espresso rebuilt the grouphead a little less than a year ago. Since I am averaging less than three doubles a day, I was hoping I could make it longer than this before tearing the grouphead down.

I have some dow 111 lubricant I picked up from Orphan, I don't suppose there's any way to do a light lube without tearing down the grouphead, is there? Would putting a few drops on the rod that the lever connects onto do any good?

I have no leaks, and everything is working fine - but I'm thinking that the "chatter" is telling me it's time to lubricate before damaging the seals.

Note: this is my 67 model was produced in 1987.

For myself, I just loosen the nuts on the piston shaft about four turns, and pop the pin out of the lever and shaft. I push the piston rod down, if it does not pop the screen off, I then add a turn on the nuts till it does. Then I can clean the piston face and then pull the piston up and make a thin film of Dow around the inside of the cylinder. Re-assemble and you are good to go.
edit:
Here is method of keeping clean:
here
~Richard

I've had a Cremina (73 model) for 4 years. After installing a new set of piston seals I have not had to change them once (unlike with the Pavoni europiccola, that required new seals every year of so, otherwise it began to leak). So, no leaks, means, no new seals are required

BUT you do need to lube the seals in and around the piston every 3 or so months if you want to get decent and smooth performance. To do this, I can't see any other way than getting the piston out of the group head and lubing the seals and lubing the group a bit too. It takes about 20 or so minutes all up, so it isn't a big deal, but certainly worth it for the extra smoothness of the piston action that results.

Did you lube the roller and pins? I ask because on my Gaggia Factory (La Pavoni) I'd get a ratchety sound when the pins and roller needed lubing. While I was doing that I'd lube the seals as well.

My Cremina hasn't needed either yet, but it's only 5 months post refurb by OE.

I actually did pick up some lube for the lever pins from Orphan when I got the other items. I'm the sort that will pick up spares and maintenance items on initial purchase.

Between trying to get the pressurestat sorted out on the 2003 Cremina, and numerous other things going on at the moment - I haven't had time to lube the piston/cylinder yet.

One of the things I saw another HB poster posting about was pumping the lever five or six times - flushing and warming the grouphead - I have been doing that - works really good - but I'm thinking it may also lead to having to lube things prematurely.

Maybe I'll have time to get to it this weekend or first of next week. Monday can be a good day for me to work uninterrupted at some times.

Thanks, Richard for posting how you go about doing your lube of cylinder on Cremina.

Finally got around to it today.

With your instructions - Nothing to it.

Regards

Ken