Restoration of an Olympia Cremina - Page 9

by **cpl593h** on Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:04 pm

HooHaw wrote:Reckon you don't fancy them milk stuff.

No, I don't really like the milk stuff. To me, there's nothing better than straight, unadulterated espresso. It might have something to do with my milk protein intolerance...

The pressure gauge is easily removable for when I do feel like a soy capp.

by **rebank** on Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:31 am

Steve,

I am new on this board. Wanted to say that this was an outstanding effort on your part with outstanding results.

I have a Riviera machine, which is about 20-25 years old. The piston on it looks identical to yours, i.e. it has 4 small holes! The group head is held by 4 bolts. The diameter of the shower screen is about 45 mm, and I cannot find the screen anywhere. It is a snap on, basket type. If yours is the right size, I may have found it! Could you please measure your screen (or any one of you, gentlemen, with an Olympia)?

Thanks in advance,
Edward

by **srobinson** on Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:17 pm

I think the Olympia is going to be a tad larger than that. Outside diameter about 48-49mm. I could not find my calipers tonight to get an exact reading for you. What size basket do you use....49?

I would call Thomas E. Cara, Ltd. at (415) 781-0383. I think they do service on Riviera and should be able to let you know if the part is available.

by **rebank** on Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:48 pm

The basket is 45 mm. I did talk to Christopher Cara. No luck, he does not have the screens of this size and cannot get them. I am thinking of having a screen made, but need to give something to the fabricator.

Thanks,
Edward

by **slips01** on Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:31 pm

I have enjoyed your description of the repair to the Olympia.
I have two of them which I have owned for over 20 years.
I need to replace the piston gaskets, but for the life of me can't figure out how to get the piston assembly apart.
Can you advise?

by **bobcraige** on Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:22 am

It has been a decade since I rebuilt my machine, but I think I still remember. It is probably best if you remove the group assembly from the machine before you start. This is done by removing the four allen head bolts holding it to the boiler. You could do it on the machine as well, but it is probably easier to work on with the group assembly off the machine. Next you need to remove the circlip holding the pin that goes through the piston shaft. You should only need to remove the clip from one end. This is best done with a proper circlip pliers, but can be done without if you are careful. Next, push out the pin. You need to take the two nuts off the top of the piston shaft. Now, push the piston out by pressing from the top. This will pop off the shower head in the process, which is the only safe way to remove it. The whole piston should come out without problem at this point. Be very carful when removing the seals not to scratch anything. It is important to put a very light coat of food grade hi temp grease on the parts as they go back together. As I recall, I used a food grade silicone grease from Dow Corning.

Bob Craige

LMWDP #47

by **peacecup** on Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:37 am

I have a Riviera machine, which is about 20-25 years old. The piston on it looks identical to yours, i.e. it has 4 small holes! The group head is held by 4 bolts. The diameter of the shower screen is about 45 mm, and I cannot find the screen anywhere. It is a snap on, basket type. If yours is the right size, I may have found it! Could you please measure your screen (or any one of you, gentlemen, with an Olympia)?

I have a Ponte Vecchio (Gensaco) Export (see my post under that title). It has a 45-mm group like the Rivera, and a press-on dispersion screen. Might be able to use it as a substitute for the Rivera. By the way, the small group makes it difficult to pull doubles, but I have been enjoying some very nice 1/2 oz singles since aquiring the PV.

by **youngbunny** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 1:06 am

Hi - I've been avidly reading all the posts here on Creminas and have to say that this is an amazing place. Anyhow, I have an 81 Cremina and I plan to replace all the gaskets. Everything seems fairly straightfoward as long as I don't break anything - but one big question. How to remove the dispersion screen? I know it snaps on and it has been said to just push down on the piston to pop it off, but I have tried that and it doesn't budge. Of course I am unsure how much pressure is safe. I've tried putting a piece of wood over the top piston shaft and applying pressure to no luck. On another note - anyone have a single filter basket?

by **RCMann** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:03 am

How to remove the dispersion screen? I know it snaps on and it has been said to just push down on the piston to pop it off, but I have tried that and it doesn't budge. Of course I am unsure how much pressure is safe. I've tried putting a piece of wood over the top piston shaft and applying pressure to no luck.

Once you've got the group off, the handle off the group, and the lock nut/acorn nut off the piston shaft, you can put the head on a board (a cutting board is fine) and tap on the top of the shaft with a rubber mallet and the screen will pop off.

If it doesn't pop off, tap harder!

If you don't have a rubber mallet just use a regular hammer, but use a piece of wood over the top of the shaft and hit the wood, not the shaft itself.

Don't hit it so hard that you drive the piston into the board!

Good luck!

by **youngbunny** on Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:58 pm

I have to get the right metric allen wrench to remove the head, but feel more confident I can use a little more force. I was just pushing down on the board over the shaft, which wasn't enough.

I'm gonna order the gasket set from Olympia and was curious if anyone knows an estimate in the US for the VAT, import duties or excise taxes mentioned on their site. The price for the machine gasket set is about $47.


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