Hello,

I'm a newb to the forum. Have been reading here for 2 years. Purchased a new La Pavoni Europiccola EPC-8 and Rocky grinder in March 2009. Thanks to many of the excellent tips I found here, I've been producing good pulls.

My question is regarding when to replace group head gaskets. When I purchased the machine I was informed that roughly once a year I'd need to replace them. Since I'm not very mechanically inclined, I don't want to start messing w the machine if it doesn't need it.

I note good tasting shots on most mornings with a tan creme' that is tigerstriped; roughly 1cm or more height of creme'. I use mostly locally roasted Kona Cloud beans from Hawaii or shipments of blends from Blue Bottle in San Fran. I can post my routine and beans used, etc if needed. Briefly, I pull 2-3 shots most am's and do not consistently overdose. I don't choke the machine with grinds that are too fine. I descale with espressoparts cleaner once every 2 months. I don't steam any milk, if that makes a difference.

I was just wondering what the telltale signs are that signify that the group head gasket is in need of change. Could someone clue me in to this? Any specific noises or signs/locations of a leak to look for? Or perhaps post some video of what to look for?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

If the grouphead gaskets start to wear, you will be experiencing pressure loss, which would result in easier pulling of the lever, and decline in quality of the pulled shots.
I think lifespan of those parts will greatly depend on how often the machine is used (1-2x per day, 10 times per day, etc.) and if you leave it on for extended periods or not.

FYI, november '09 I purchased a used EP from the late 60ies. The portafilter gasket was rock hard, mimicking a ring of bakelite (or the modernists around here: carbon fibre ), which indicated the machine had not been opened for maintenance in a long time either (needs to be screwed apart from the bottom).
I replaced the gasket just to test how it would perform, and up to now have not found the need to replace the inner seals. They are still taking the pressure as they should.
It is used daily for 2 shots within minutes after dinner, and more with visitors or during holidays / weekends.

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

The main way you can tell is how rough the lever is. Raise it all the way up. It should fall with virtually no effort. The more effort it takes the more worn they are. Obviously if there's leaking water anywhere that's a sign too.

If you can work on a bike you can replace the seals. It's just as easy and takes the same tools. And there are a lot of good tutorials on line as well.

I suspect given the age of your machine and amount of use you're close to needing new seals. You can send it off to be repaired but doing it yourself is a really worth while project. If you can install cables/housing on a bike (esp a 'cross bike) you can rebuild a Pavoni.

Thanks for the responses. I'll continue to keep an eye on things and I know now a bit more of what I should be looking for.

To update, I tackled my first disassembly/rebuild this weekend. Thanks so much for Orphanespresso for their video, which I used as a guide. The machine now has at least 60% better stream w/ a lever raise and much better steam pressure. The new stream with the lever raised is so improved that I'll bet I could empty the water out of the sight glass in 6 seconds....whereas before it would seem to have taken 15 seconds or more. I'm amazed at the smoothness of the lever and how easily it drops when at rest; something it was sorely lacking prior to my repair.

a few questions for veterans of Millenium La Pavoni Europiccolas...

1) My cat ran off with the new boilercap gasket and I've been unable to locate it. Likely has been batted around some odd place in the house. I'm thus still using the old one; which visibly looks fine. Is it imperitave that I replace this w the rebuild?

2) Since I didn't see it covered in the video, I didn't remove the teflon sleeve from the grouphead and replace the Teflon sleeve O-ring gasket. Is this a part that frequently breaks down? Would it be imperitave that I re-break the machine down and install this? Especially since the machine seems to be working so well?

3) Re: the upper group mini piston gasket. (the small 1 cm diameter silicone/white gasket held in place by the Piston washer and C-clip. I couldn't tell exactly which way the new minipiston gasket should fit, and cldn't remember exactly which way it faced when I removed it. I replaced it so that the grooved surface of it faced down, toward the piston head, not up, toward the lever. This seemed to be the only way that the piston washer and Cclip would fit. I assume this is correct, but wanted to make sure from the vets.

4) Also, this week I'll remove the base and tighten the boiler so that it doesn't rotate (it's pretty loose right now). I have a leather plumbing strap wrench and oil filter wrench to assist. My question is regarding the tank to base gasket and top gasket parts. Is it imperitave that they be replaced when tightening the base to gasket? Or is simply retightening all that will be needed to correct this problem.

Thanks again for any help.