Didn't know Olympia Livietta steam valve was open

#1: Post by **jsolanzo** » March 11th, 2014, 1:21 am

Guess what happened? The water all dried out and the heating element would not turn on anymore. Is there a way to fix this or do I have a non functioning livietta? The pump still turns on, but the heating element doesn't.

Turned the machine on, went to take a shower, and next thing you know, it's dunzo.

Please help. Would Orphan Espresso's trick of kilning the heating element be viable?

#2: Post by **bostonbuzz** » March 11th, 2014, 1:38 am

Heating element is shot, get a new one.

March 11th, 2014, 2:23 am

Do you know where I can get a new one? Or are they super hard to find?

Are the new maximatic elements able to be fitted on the old liviettas/maximatic?

Like this: http://www.cerinicoffee.com/olympia-cre ... -120v.html

#4: Post by **cannonfodder** » March 11th, 2014, 12:11 pm

Once a heating element hits the air, it will super heat and burn out. Any Olympia parts can be difficult to find and pricey. Nature of the machine.

#5: Post by **2StrokeBloke** » March 11th, 2014, 1:43 pm

I'm not sure if the Livietta has one, but if it didn't, I'd be surprised.
Try resetting the over temp sensor/overheat safety switch. Should be a small red or black button located on the bottom of your boiler. It's designed to open the circuit once the boiler temp gets too hot.

Of course, if your machine is wired correctly, it should have worked!
Make sure you unplug your machine while looking for this switch.

Even if the switch did it's job, having learned from others on the forum, I'd reset the switch, and plug the machine into a GFCI breaker outlet just in case. When my element overheated, it developed a pin-hole leak somewhere in the element. It wouldn't blow the wall circuit breaker, it worked 'just fine', but once plugged into a GFCI protected outlet, it popped immediately once turned on.
I found a wonderful single outlet GFCI at Lowes (US..can't find them in Canada at all

)the other day for about $13. It's made by Shockbuster and the item number on the package is #30339011 and the sku is 0 35874 39011 7

#6: Post by **SpromoSapiens** » March 11th, 2014, 2:16 pm

That magic red button saved my livietta's life a few years ago. Same element still going strong today, + lesson well learned. Hope yours is as happy an ending!

#7: Post by **bostonbuzz** » March 11th, 2014, 2:18 pm

Try the button. My cremina died when I left the top cap off and the button didn't do anything. That link is for the bottom stainless plate and the element and button. You probably just need an element. I purchased mine a couple years ago from orphan for $40. I believe it was for a different machine but fit a cremina (and probably maxi) after drilling out the existing element.

#8: Post by **danmc** » March 12th, 2014, 12:50 am

The new elements bolt up fine to the Livietta/Coffex/Maximatic. The terminal ends will probably need to be bent as they point straight down instead of to the sides. Also the thermal breaker is in the center of the plate so that might be something to work out with the wiring. But should not be a big problem.

I have a new style element not installed so could send you pics if you want.

Good luck

Dan

#9: Post by **weebit_nutty** » March 12th, 2014, 5:01 am

Sorry to hear this happened

Here's a quick tip for next time after you've repaired your machine :

Place a sticker over the knob cover. On my Cremina I've got the Olympia Express busboy logo on the knob. With a glance you can tell if the steam valve is open or not before turning the machine on.