coffee_monkey wrote:On my unit, the lever at it's vertical position is not stiff and I can wiggle it about 5 degrees downwards until the spring engages (feeling resistance).

coffee_monkey wrote:What is the function of the small hole on the front bottom of the main body? It sometimes leaks water into the drip tray during machine heat up and pulling a shot.Thanks!!

Not a significant problem. But you're going to have to disassemble the machine (see below) and you can check to see whether the spring is properly seated then.

Problem. The piston o-ring either needs to be replaced, or at the very least lubed with Dow 111. Most likely, replaced. Water is escaping past the o-ring and getting into the chassis. Most importantly, this is not safe. The wet machine is an electrical hazard. Use a GFCI outlet.

The small hole is for a set screw that keeps the group assembly in place inside the main chassis. It prevents the group from spinning in place.

Be careful when you release the bolt since the piston will be free with this linkage removed (make sure the group is in place since it is fairly difficult to compress the spring and reassemble if you let it get away). 5 degrees before engaging is not very much play, in fact it is pretty good. If there is no play then it is possible that the piston wil not compress the inner piston washer fully tight and the water will all leak out as the machine sits idle.

coffee_monkey wrote:Does 43ml sound right for a "full stroke" of the piston?