I bought an Europiccola off of ebay and it seems the steam shaft connection at the boiler got bent during shipping. I straightened it to the point where it started to give resistance. Looking at the picture I've uploaded, do you think this will be a problem? You can see the stress cracks in the chroming and I think that may be the worst of it, but I thought I'd ask.

If it was mine, I would definitely NOT use it. A failure under pressure would be a very bad thing for anything or anyone that is nearby.

I would claim it to the shipping company, assuming there was insurance purchased or included in the price. If no shipping insurance, I would think that you are S.O.L.

One other thing to check is to verify that it was not damaged before shipping... i.e. - a dishonest seller. If all else fails, try to recoup some money from eBay/PayPal.

If you can't get any money, try bringing it or shipping it to a LaPavoni service provider for a thorough inspection before you use it.

Good luck-
Bill

I had exactly the same thing happen to me so I feel your pain.

http://www.home-barista.com/levers/euro ... t7498.html

I actually tried firing my one up which was probably a little foolish. I got steam escaping from both where you've shown and also the base of the steam valve assembly (they were both bashed in.) My machine has been relegated to spare parts as I've no idea how one would go about repairing the dents in the boiler. My attempts at getting compensation were futile with NZ Post. I'll be watching closely to see if anyone has a repair solution. Good luck.
Sam.

samgiles wrote:I had exactly the same thing happen to me so I feel your pain.

http://www.home-barista.com/levers/euro ... t7498.html

I actually tried firing my one up which was probably a little foolish. I got steam escaping from both where you've shown and also the base of the steam valve assembly

Thanks for replying. I did the same and fired it up. There are no leaks of water or steam. Looking at your pics I can clearly see yours being "pushed" in. Mine doesn't look as bad as yours, but who knows? I'm pretty sure it is mostly cosmetic at this point, but I'm going to try and see if I can get it looked at and pressure tested just to play it safe.

I put a Europiccola under more pressure than the safety release valve could handle and it blew the heating element gasket, so pressure would probably release first from the safety valve and then from the element gasket before finding the weak spot in the boiler. If there is a boiler fissure, you will more than likely hear a hissing noise, not an explosion. In any event, proceed with caution.

If it is of any comfort, my frequently used Europiccola had a bent steam shaft connection. I did the same fix and I'm still here to tell the tale.

Fullsack wrote:If it is of any comfort, my frequently used Europiccola had a bent steam shaft connection. I did the same fix and I'm still here to tell the tale.

Thanks Doug for the reassurance. I ended up emailing Francesco Ciccarelli via http://www.francescoceccarelli.eu/index_eng.htm. He told me "don't worry, often the machines arrive damaged." and explained how to go about fixing it, which was to pull gently with two fingers until reaching the right position. It's not quite as straight as it should be, but I started feeling resistance, and decided to stop. With that said, I've run it about a half dozen times or so, looking at every connection carefully and can safely say that it is working as it should. This is my first espresso machine and I wasn't sure if a lever was for me, but I'm pretty sure I made the right choice - I'm a perfectionist and love a challenge. I'm also one of those people that once I'm into something, I'm really into it.

Thanks to everyone that responded and all those that have posted their problems and fix's here at H-B and the internet.

Francesco is the Italian guru for La Pavoni.
And a good friend of mine, as well.

KnowGood wrote:I've run it about a half dozen times or so, looking at every connection carefully and can safely say that it is working as it should.

Excellent! Enjoy. I used my eBay LaPav for a few years before I moved to an Alexia as my main machine. Learned a ton about the art and randomness of espresso with the LaPav. Still use the it at work and traveling.

BTW - Doug/"Fullsack", is that a Pelican case with the La Pav in it for your avatar?

GREAT IDEA

I hope you don't mind a copycat... something about the greatest form of flattery...

-Bill

Sometimes is only the chrome that chips
sometimes goes through
try firing it up and see

claim is always the best way to go
UNLESS the machine was poorly pakage
then is just a waste of time

so in the case if is only the chrome
you can pulll it back out
remove the grouphead ( 2 bolts)
remove the nut inside replace the copper washer and should be ok

Lvx wrote:Francesco is the Italian guru for La Pavoni.
And a good friend of mine, as well.

Love the montage!!
-Richard

billm3 wrote:BTW - Doug/"Fullsack", is that a Pelican case with the La Pav in it for your avatar?

GREAT IDEA

I hope you don't mind a copycat... something about the greatest form of flattery...

-Bill

Thanks Bill, This kit has accompanied me to many parts of the world and I'm happy to share the how-to.

Travel Kit Instructions

Well, here is the first shot I pulled:

Congrats!

BTW, I had a similar problem with an Elektra uCasa a Leva....

I stuck it in my BBQ grill, filled her up, powered it up and crossed my fingers. I wanted to actually "proof pressure" it by pressurizing it to ~ 30 psig but never got around to it. After numerous weekends of using it outdoors, I went ahead and brought it into the kitchen and now use it on an occasional basis.

I am not an expert on the La Pavonis but if I were you and you had at least a small amount of concern that it was unsafe, go and spend the 30 bucks and let a welding shop run a new braze ring around it. Cheap insurance against leakage and even though it may not look pretty it won't leak.

Like I mention above give it a try
you can always turn it off as the steam build up or open the steam knob to let pressure out
it could be ONLY the chroming chipping off

Bluegrod wrote:s but if I were you and you had at least a small amount of concern that it was unsafe, go and spend the 30 bucks and let a welding shop run a new braze ring around it.

Not concerned anymore. I've used it enough now that I know it's safe.

stefano65 wrote:Like I mention above give it a try
you can always turn it off as the steam build up or open the steam knob to let pressure out
it could be ONLY the chroming chipping off

Looks like it is only going to be the chrome chipping off, but it isn't yet. Thanks for the tips, as well as the portafilter - ordered it about two weeks ago from you, as you had the best price on the internet.