Hi All,

Have been encountering a new problem with my Cremina these last few months. When I pull a shot the portafilter gradually twists and comes loose. This ruins the shot as air gets in and water from the group seeps out the side of the portafilter.

I have been using this machine for years and know how to pull a shot. I certainly lock it in firmly to stop it from slipping. But no matter how hard I lock it in it now begins to slip loose when I press down on the lever. And it has been getting worse over the last 2 months.

In an attempt to remedy this I have changed all the relevant seals and gaskets (both in the group head itself at the point where the porterfilter locks in and the piston seals) but to no avail. I am beginning to think that maybe the problem lies in the grooves in the portafilter or group head but on examination they don't seem to be worn down. I certainly hope it isn't a problem with the grooves because that would require re-machining the group head.

Presently, the only work-around I employ is to hold the portafilter with my right hand and push the level with my left. This works fine, but as my grind is fairly fine it is a lot of work and hard on my left shoulder. I would much prefer to solve the problem and go back to my old method of pushing with my right hand and sometimes both hands.

Any ideas what the problem (and solution to it) might be?

Thanks

By any chance did you lube the gasket in the group head where the portafilter locks in 2 or 3 months ago & when you replaced seals & gaskets. This is not a smart-assed remark: when I replaced all the gaskets a few years ago, I went a little wild with the lube and had a similar problem. Your "as my grind is fairly fine it is a lot of work and hard on my left shoulder" made me think of this.

Good Luck

--dick

Did I lube the group head gasket? Good question. It's been a while now, but at a guess I'd say I probably put a touch of lube on that gasket before putting in. But I might be wrong.

I must say I changed that gasket first. I believed that it was that gasket that was the problem. But it wasn't since the problem persisted with the new gasket in place. And it seemed to get worse. Then I changed the piston seals, but again to no good effect.

Tell me, has nobody else experienced this problem? Maybe that's a good thing. It might mean that there isn't some expensive endemic problem.

Tell me, has nobody else experienced this problem? Maybe that's a good thing. It might mean that there isn't some expensive endemic problem.

I haven't had this problem but I've only been using my cremina for about 25 years. I guess it could happen - any decade now.

But seriously, I have seen gaskets in different thicknesses. I don't know if a thicker one would prevent the slipping but it couldn't hurt.

And worst case, I would think you could find an inexpensive way to attach a couple of little metal wedges or shims on the grouphead over the spot where the portafilter ears lock in place.

Espressoperson is right as it depends on the gasket. Some people substitute an o ring for the traditional flat gasket and the o ring can cause some lock in issues depending on the ring.

Thanks Michael and Doug for your comments.

Actually, the new flat gasket I put in was an original one purchased from Olympia Express a few years ago. And the one it replaced was also an original.

So you both seem to agree that the problem relates either to the flat gasket or the metal ears on the group head (or maybe portafilter for that matter). My machine is old (1973) model but I don't think was used much before I purchased it in 2006. Since 2006 it has been used a lot but with great care since I do value this little machine.

With your gasket, where, as in the clock face, does the pf lock? About 4 o clock is good..I have seen 3 o clock, but this is a bit far.

The odds are good that if this is an OEM gasket that it is designed to fit the newest machines in the long history of Creminas and it is flat on one side and rounded on the other...if this is the case, which way did you install it...this could matter.

Which way did I install it? Good question, Doug. I could take the group head off and check but I suspect I wouldn't be able to tell. If one side is round and one is flat, which side should face outwards? I would guess the flat side.

Maybe what I have to do is simply bite the bullet and replace the newly installed gasket with one I purchased from you a year or so ago. I doubt I could get the OEM gasket off without cutting it. At a glance, the orphanespresso gasket seems to be flat on both sides.

orphanespresso wrote:With your gasket, where, as in the clock face, does the pf lock? About 4 o clock is good..I have seen 3 o clock, but this is a bit far.

The odds are good that if this is an OEM gasket that it is designed to fit the newest machines in the long history of Creminas and it is flat on one side and rounded on the other...if this is the case, which way did you install it...this could matter.

OK, I've done my repairs and time to report back.

Doug, as usual, was on the right track. On taking out the gasket I had installed I discovered that I had put it in with the rounded side facing in. Clearly it should be the other way round. Anyway, I didn't have any OEM gaskets left so I installed one of Doug's portafilter gaskets which happen to be flat on both sides. To cut the chase, problem solved. The portafilter stays in place during the shot and I'm happy again. (Holding the portafilter in place with my right hand and pulling the shot with my left was literally killing my left shoulder. Now I can revert to my earlier method of using both hands to pull the shot).

So case closed, and its off to the orphanespresso website to order a couple more portafilter gaskets for the future.