Leak from PV Lusso grouphead

by **BenBob** on Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:04 pm

Every so often I get water squirting out of the tiny hole on the back side of the group head when I pull a shot or flush the group - any idea what would cause this?

Thanks,
Ben

by HB on Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:35 pm

Sounds like the gaskets are shot and allowing water to pass into the space above the piston. Replace them.

by **BenBob** on Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:46 pm

Thanks -I will have a look -the machine is only 7 months old -possible that the gasket could be twisted maybe? I got an additional portafilter (bottomless) that seems very tight compared to the stock one -maybe I forced it in too hard?

Ben

by HB on Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:16 pm

Gaskets are usually good for a few years, but who knows. Back to your original question, the only things stopping water from entering the space above the piston are the gaskets. Something isn't right with them. Overtightening the new portafilter has nothing to do with it.

by **grong** on Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:50 pm

You definitely need new piston gaskets. As I mentioned in a recent thread:

After 2-1/2 year of daily use, my Ponte Vecchio Lusso started spurting a little water now and then from the hole at the backside of the group. Upon insection I found the seals to be flexible, but developing little cracks at the edges. As I stretched the seals to remove them, the flexibility and stretch gave way to gooey cracking and the seals came off in pieces. With the new seals installed I noticed a definite improvement in the quality of my shots. Next time I will replace my seals on a shorter time schedule, before they start to leak.

by **peacecup** on Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:00 pm

The top piston seal is designed to keep water from going above the piston when the lever is depressed. It must be cracked. This can happen it the machine is left unused for a while, or if the lever is operated when the machine is not up to pressure and full of water.

Be careful when you replace the gaskets, because the piston will come out with considerable force when the cotter pin is removed. There are a couple of threads showing different ways others have done this.

PC

by **BenBob** on Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:11 pm

Thanks! - Off in search of a bigass clamp lol

by **grong** on Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:38 pm

When replacing my seals, I disconnected my grouphead from the machine, and placed the whole thing in a vise, which made it pretty easy to work on.

by **indy** on Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:44 pm

BenBob....it is definitely you seals. Search the lever machine forum for "lusso review" or "lusso seals". Mine were shot after very little use and this site provided valuable info. After reading all the input I followed the method that made the most sense (no clamp). It worked flawlessly for me. I posted the process and steps. It may be of help.


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