Can anyone point me to a good guide on replacing the element in an Elektra MCaL? Is this something a semi-doofus should attempt? Mine has gone cold, and my multimeter indicates everything is working well other than the element.

It would appear as though one would start by disconnecting the copper tube leading to the pressurestat, disconnecting the leads to the element, removing the green/yellow wire, and then undoing the three bolts connecting the boiler to the base. Beyond that, I wouldn't even hazard a guess.


Little help?

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,

I did a quick search here and couldn't find anything. There is some info on replacing the element in a Microcasa Semiautomatica which is a similar but more complex procedure.

However, before I get carried away about details, can I ask a really basic question, which you may well have been aware of anyway: have you checked the thermal trip?

If you have a modern MCaL it's under the yellow plug in the base. If you have an older one it's between the element terminals. See below:

Elektra Microcasa a Leva not heating up (with some handy details for Canadian Elektra owners)

Elektra Microcasa wont heat up (containing other useful links).

Cheers

Mike

Thank you Mike! The re-set was the second thing I tried (the first being to curse just loudly enough for my six - year -old to accuse me of using a "bad word"), and it hasn't fixed my problem. I saw the post regarding the Semi element, and might use that as a leaping off point if necessary.

Malcolm

In both cases
if your machine is a pre 2005 or from 2005 (heating element was changed from a terminal type to a flange type)
you will need to remove the base from the boiler
make sure you have the boiler gasket and o-rings ( if pre 05)
to replace as well while doing it


now the point to look at is why did it happened?
is the pressurestat pipe clogged with scale?
pressurestat bad
safety thermostat failure?
all the above?

Thank you Stefano,

I appreciate your input. I will have a look inside the pressurestat pipe this weekend. It never dawned on me to look, but that's a very accessible indicator.

Malcolm