In 1985 I was given a Cremina as a wedding present. I used it regularly, it was my only coffee source, for over 15 years. While I was traveling for a period of time I left it at my house for my house sitter to use. She had a few "explosions" with coffee grounds going all over since she did not get the basket seated properly, but it was well cleaned and still worked fine. During a move it got packed away and sat unused for almost a year.

When I got it out, cleaned it up and restarted it, the water started running through the coffee without my lifting the lever, and it could not build up any pressure, I could also not stop the water flow. I have been told it is likely a simple fix, and certainly under the cover my machine looks much better than the post I found here describing a complete rebuild.

I have no idea where to begin, but I do not want to follow my friends advice: "Sell it on eBay"

Any help will be appreciated.

~kevin