Hi everyone. I'm new to lever machines and just picked up a old Sama Export to try to restore. Cosmetically it looks pretty good but it does have a lot of scale build up. I just plugged it in and gave it a test. It heated up fine, no leaking, plenty of steam from the steam wand, but when I pull the lever down I get nothing. No water at all. Tried holding it down at the end of the stroke and still nothing. The lever seems to function pretty smooth and the spring feels fine but even if the seals are toast won't it output something? Any ideas what the problem might be? Thanks!

The tube that feeds the group is probably clogged with scale. You'll need to remove the group and descale it. It will require all new seals and gaskets. Probably not too difficult or costly, but will take a little time. Most difficult part is removing the piston. Read up on it before you do it.

OR, just send it to Doug at orphanespresso.com, and it will come back as good as new.

I really like my PonteVecchio Export, which is a very similar machine,

PC

Hi DHR,
Just wondering where you picked up the SAMA? I'm also in Bellingham WA, and don't see anything other than La Pavoni's locally
Cheers
Anthony

peacecup wrote:The tube that feeds the group is probably clogged with scale. You'll need to remove the group and descale it. It will require all new seals and gaskets. Probably not too difficult or costly, but will take a little time. Most difficult part is removing the piston. Read up on it before you do it.

OR, just send it to Doug at orphanespresso.com, and it will come back as good as new.

I really like my PonteVecchio Export, which is a very similar machine,

PC

Yep, pulled the group off and the piston out and found the blockage. New seals should be here from Orphan Espresso tomorrow and with a bit of descaling and cleanup it should be up and running for the weekend! Thanks!

ademello72 wrote:Hi DHR,
Just wondering where you picked up the SAMA? I'm also in Bellingham WA, and don't see anything other than La Pavoni's locally
Cheers
Anthony

I actually picked it up on ebay. I've also looked around locally for a long while without any luck. I also have a Elektra MicroCasa on the way!. I'll have to decide whether to keep the Sama or Elektra as I don't the room to keep both. If you looking for a lever machine I can drop you a line when I decide which one I am going to part with. -luke

I'll have to decide whether to keep the Sama or Elektra

Its a slippery slope. I had to decide between the Export and the Caravel. But they are really so different, and each so beautiful and functional in their own way. The PV is a pressurized spring lever (great for cappas, where you can steam and pull at the same time), and the Caravel is an open-boiler manual, great for control of brew pressure and temperature. And, they;re different size and shape baskets. So...then I had to decide which two between the Export, the Caravel, and the MiniGaggia...but the Mini is an open boiler spring lever, and again a different basket size....and now, its the VAM....

If you decide to get rid of export I might be interested. Please let me know. robertmayrand@hotmail.com

DHR wrote:I actually picked it up on ebay. I've also looked around locally for a long while without any luck. I also have a Elektra MicroCasa on the way!. I'll have to decide whether to keep the Sama or Elektra as I don't the room to keep both. If you looking for a lever machine I can drop you a line when I decide which one I am going to part with. -luke