My faithful Cremina has developed a leak in its pressure stat. It's an 86 model that has served me well for a number of years and deserves to be restored to her original condition if possible. The problem lies in the metal bellows that expands under pressure to activate the micro switch, it has a pin hole leak.I have seen numerous fixes and replacements for the micro switch but none for this part. I would like to be able to repair or replace the leaking part to keep the machine as it was built, but if that isn't possible I need to know how to install an alternate pressure stat. I live in a "good" coffee wasteland and have to make a 30 mile round trip to get good espresso, so rest assured that solutions to this problem will be most appreciated.
ps. my Cimbali Jr. is a restoration project, which means I have no operable machine at present.

You could try mending the pinhole with a loctite thread lock compound...this works to repair pinhole leaks in the boiler so it may work on the pstat. If it works let us know...otherwise time for a mater or ceme stat.

Thanks Doug. I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes. If it doesn't work I'll be going with a mater or a ceme and asking you what changes are required to install one of them.

I'm sorry to report that my original diagnosis was not 100% accurate. The leaks (there were two not one) were cracks in the ribs of the bellows. I tried to seal them using a two part epoxy that is designed join copper water pipes in place of solder. After mixing and applying the epoxy I used suction to pull the epoxy into the crack. I let it dry for 24 hours and tried it out. Plainly put, it didn't work.
I'll be placing an order with Orphan Espresso for a newer design to get the machine working. If you are out there Doug, what needs to be done to install a mater or ceme. Seems as if there needs to be some "J" tube configuration to orient a mater properly. I just want to order everything needed at once and get back to making espresso.

The final post on this delemina.
While attending a cookout and TNT of the Charlotte Coffee Comunity last night I picked up a CEME from Brady of Carolina Espresso Services. Funny how the Coffee Gods work, as of 10:00 this morning the Cremina was operational and the Jr. pulled it's first (sink) shot since it's arrival in N.C.

How difficult is it to fit that CEME into the Cremina? Easy or difficult fit? Logical, obvious placement and attachment?

B|Java

Sorry for the slow reply Dave. Installing the CEME was as simple as can be. Remove the original pressurestat, screw on the CEME and attach the wires to the proper terminals. A small port in the center has an adjustment screw to set it up. I used a gauge attached to the steam wand to set it to my preferred pressure range.