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Leaking Ponte Export

Postby espressotime on Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:24 am

Blew some fuses this weekend.The Export leaks water.don't know where exactly..
Took the cover off .Also the bottom plate.When I tilt the machine some degrees I get a short circuit and the fuses blow.
A spoonful of water drips from the bottom side on the counter.
Could it be a leaking boiler?
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Postby peacecup on Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:19 am

There are only two places - the bottom of the boiler, and the boiler-group connection. The former is on the bottom, and the later about half-way up. Both have gaskets that you can replace, but it seems unusual that a gasket would just go bad. One issue is they might not leak until the machine comes up to pressure.

Any chance that you spilled water when you were filling? I've done that before, and it flipped the ground fault fuse.

If you take the bottom plate off you can see if water is leaking from the bottom gasket.
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Postby espressotime on Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:48 am

I had the box-shaped cover off with the groupo mounted.White teflon cover.No leaking there.
when I turn it upside down I see a drop at one of the mounting screws that mount the boiler to the bracket.
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Postby peacecup on Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:58 pm

Maybe best to change that seal. If you're sure you have not spilled any water it must be leaking when its up to pressure. If you let it dry out overnight, then try one more time you should know for sure. I suppose you could try tightening the nuts also.

Its easy to change the gasket, but takes a little time and patience to get to it. I've read that you should replace the four screws with stainless steel screws anyway, to prevent rusting over the long term.

Let us know what happens,

PC
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Postby peacecup on Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:59 pm

Ah, I forgot, the sightglass gaskets could also be leaking - never heard of it on an Export, but on Creminas and Pavonis.

PC
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Postby espressotime on Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:17 pm

With the bottomplate off she stays dry.
When I mount it the spoonful of water appears.
there's something fishy about the bottomplate.
It touches the pressurestat when mounted.
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Postby peacecup on Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:59 pm

The pressurestat also may have a gasket (ask orphanespresso by email, or the seller you bought from). I don't remember. You could try gently tightening that connection.
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Postby espressotime on Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:17 pm

Thanks.
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Postby espressotime on Wed Dec 29, 2010 6:32 am

She only leaks when warming up.When warm she stays dry.
Looked inside and seems there's some water at the lower end of the inspection tube.
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Postby orphanespresso on Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:39 am

Could have something to do with the pstat fitting....let's hope since the boiler bottom gasket is a very difficult and dangerous part to change....dangerous in that when removing the 4 bolts it is VERY common that they are rusted and will, not may but will break off (personal experience) and if one breaks off then likely all will. So if you are tempted to remove that heating element to change the boiler (you also have to remove the element and plate to even try to tighten the pstat) then proceed with extreme caution. We have a beautiful Export in our junkyard that had all 4 bolts broken and as they are so close to the side of the boiler flange it is VERY difficult to get a drill in there to drill and tap. Also the bolts are tool steel and resist almost every drill bit known to man....it can be done (again personal experience) but if one screws it up (again, p.e.) then it just gets harder and harder to put it all right.
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