Hi,

I'm working to get my old machine up and running. Thanks for all the great info here. Unusual to see so much participation from vendors, thats great!

I determined that my 2 element is bad. It is the old style brass/bronze? base type.

Can anyone tell me if the new ones like this:
http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qstore.c...nt+4+prong

will retrofit on my machine? Does it screw to the base of the boiler like the old one? I can't tell from the info I see online.

Also is there a difference in the element above to this one?:

http://www.shop.partsguru.com/product.s...ductId=174

The price is certainly different!

For reference my machine is like this one:
http://www.francescoceccarelli.eu/La_Pa..._A3670.htm

thanks!

on edit:
thanks to the person who changed my post title, I realize it was not worded the best!
Paul

sourland wrote:I'm working to get my old machine up and running. Thanks for all the great info here. Unusual to see so much participation from vendors, thats great!

I determined that my 2 element is bad. It is the old style brass/bronze? base type.

Can anyone tell me if the new ones like this:
http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qstore.c...nt+4+prong

The one you reference in the link above there is the same one I have on my machine. I have a La Pavoni Europiccola Pre-millenium - probably from around the mid 70's or so. As far as installation, there is a brass ring which screws onto the threads of the boiler itself, then on that ring, there are three threaded holes. Allen screws typically go through the 3 tabs on the boiler element and screw into the ring. There's a little rubber O-ring (I think it was 80 mm in diameter if I recall correctly), which makes a water tight seal (the O-ring goes into the groove you see on the boiler element there).

You would need to take the base off the bottom of your machine (unplug it from the wall first of course) and see what you have. The double boiler machines should have a "I/II" switch and wiring provisions for two different boiler elements (one for brewing and one for steaming).

The two boiler elements you are considering appear to be the same part (as near as I can see). The first link just has a more clear photo I believe.

Ray

Unless you can find an old brass screw on one you need to change 2 things....one is the element, it goes from being screwed on to being bolted on with 3 little bolts. The 2nd is you need to get the large flat nut that has 3 threaded bolt holes in it (yours may already have this nut). Watch out though I believe that there were 2 different thread pitches on the bottom of Pav boilers and one pitch is not available in the large flat nut.....Why this would be NA is besides me, it is an easy piece to make.
OE will have all the bits....$99.00 is the right price for the element $145 is stepping on it too hard.

The elements in the first two links are the same. They are not interchangeable with the one in your machine without the fine thread flange from someone like Stefano's. You will need some other bits as well but it's still a lot cheaper than a new machine.

One needs to be a bit thoughtful when working out the different threads, flange nuts and elements when making this repair (some vendors have a no return policy on electrical parts). Prices for parts for the old machines are high in comparison to the newer models (even pfs and baskets). It will only get worse...La
Pavoni distributor in the US just raised prices and have standing backorders on a lot of parts.

That reminds me...OP are you sure your element is done? A bad switch/wiring etc has fooled more than one person. Would be a shame to go to all the trouble of changing the element if it is not necessary. I had an pretty old pav and it worked well into 2006, before my ridiculous consumption of espresso packed it in.

Thanks for all the replies!

Yes my element is done, well the high watt one is, the low seems OK.

I think I have this figured out now. I'm waiting on some parts from Orphan for the rest of the machine, seals, new switch, etc...
Unless Doug can get me a new(old screw on style) element I will get the new style one and adapt it to my machine. I'm a machinist/toolmakers and plan on making an adapter that will screw on the boiler and accept the new style element. That way if I ever need a new one in the future I can get a replacement.

That being said I'd rather just screw on an element and get to making coffee!

Thanks,

Paul

When I opened my La Pavoni, it was clear the elements were bad, as they were split wide open, revealing the wire elements, and white powdered insulation.

By the way, I am experimenting with turning this Particularly La Pavoni into a gas powered unit. I've damaged the threads on my base with the bad elements. I would be interested in acquiring your bad-element base if you no longer need it.

Thanks,
Latte Jed

Paul: Did you ever get this to work out?
Mike