redbone wrote:The gauge is off slightly reading above zero at cold. Would be nice to control the temp vs pressurestat but wonder if that would take away from the machine.

I've considered it, but I think the issue is the base gets crazy hot, so in my mind any electronics would have serious reliability problems. Solid state relays need a heat sink. I think you would need to rig a fan or build a box and attach to the back of it, neither solution I find desirable. Maybe someone has better idea.

In frustration took the Riv to the backyard and decided to see what happens at the screen with full pressure and full tank. Notice that I'm receiving uneven water flow and a stream not spray at the front end.
The screen appears clean and all holes evenly sized.
Since it's a spring machine I only get flow with lever down and assume require PF in and back pressure from basket/coffee for flow on the lever uprising. No water comes out while lever is being raised without PF/basket in.

It could be gunked up on the other side of the screen. It comes right out with paint can opener or equivalent, just stick it up in there and pull down.

Ya just took it off and cleaned it. Wasn't to bad. Only issue is that I tore the PF gasket and now need to find a replacement.

You can take the gasket out and turn it over.

If too damaged, then I believe this is suitable replacement http://www.1st-line.com/store/pc/Ponte- ... 0p3142.htm I would verify the dimensions with 1st-Line.

Thanks for that. It's definitely gone beyond a flip fix.

Went to two places trying to source a gasket for my espresso vintage machine. No luck so I decided to call a few places that make custom gaskets.
Most were not helpful considering my one or two item request.
Called the third place and explained my situation. After I told him how many he kind of sighed and said ok.
I asked how much and he said no charge just come by tomorrow. Dozen doughnuts and a friend made I've got 3 gaskets in hand. Used FDA grade white silicone which I'm told will hold up better than my original gasket.
Bonus 2.6Km drive from work.

I have managed to correct most of my problems with the Zacconi. Longer learning curve than anticipated.

What I have learned:
This machine prefers a coarser grind with a 1.5 pull to achieve the desired volume and extraction.
Although pressure gauge PStat shows at temp wait longer for true temp even after purging steam to stabilize temp.
Leaving basket in after pull seems to dry puck and relieve mucky puck syndrom.
Don't overfill or over-tamp basket since spring is very sensitive to correct grind, coffee to basket volume and temperature.
More so than the VAM/Caravel

*Changing PF seal and minor descale did improve heating speed and water flow to PF.
*Relax making a shot. I say this after filling my PF without a basket. What a mess.
*Stick with same coffee until complete. Changing coffee frequently only throws off grind settings.

The learning and fun continues.