Was wondering if anyone else has noticed this difference between the right & left grouphead. Position of the lever on the pull when you see water diffuse out is different. For a time I thought it was me. But the consistent difference finally got to me. Without the portafilter mounted I pulled the lever down until water just started to flow. Left lever is ~1/2 way between up and horizontal. Right lever ~1/2 way between horizontal and all the way pulled down. I've been timing my preinfusion from the moment the levers reach the bottom of the pull. So basically the left group has been getting a little longer preinfusion. After a 3-4sec preinfusion I release the lever until the 1st drops appear then gently pull down to totally reload the spring and release again. Regarding the pulls from the two groups. They more or less look similar and taste similar. Maybe too subtle for me to detect.

Any ideas why one group would release water sooner than the other?

Would be interested to hear from other Ponte Vecchio Export, Lusso & Lusso 2s at what lever position they first notice water coming out of their diffusion screens. Maybe this is something that varies from grouphead to grouphead.

Any ideas why one group would release water sooner than the other?

I think it is because these lovely machines strive to match the build precision of a 1965 Ford Falcon.

The springs could come from different suppliers or different lots from the same supplier.

I'll get a look at my Export soon. The difference may be due to the lever/piston rod position, rather than the water port in the group? Just a guess, but it seems that the specs on the group might be more consistent than those on the piston/lever assembly.

PC

Just pulled a nice apres-dinner solo Cafe D'Arte Capri. I seldom take the time to use the sigle basket, but I always enjoy the clean, no-holds-barred results. With a 45-mm single basket you'll not find anywhere to hide from poor technique.

While cleaning I noted that the port on my Export opens at almost exactly 3/4 way down on the lever pull.

PC

That means it could be running in 40 years with a bit of home garage TLC!

grong wrote:

Any ideas why one group would release water sooner than the other?

I think it is because these lovely machines strive to match the build precision of a 1965 Ford Falcon.

On my Lusso, water comes out when the handle is 1/2 way between horizontal and all the way pulled down.

If water is coming out sooner, it could be that something about the seal is sitting high. Less likely is that it is seated high on the piston, the piston is seated high, or that the water outlet holed is bored low. You could pop off the shower screens to see if there is any visible difference in this area of the groups.