I have a 1978 Europiccola with the screw-on heating element. I rebuilt it using Orphan Espresso replacement seals, including this one they sell for the heating element.

Unfortunately, I now have a steam leak under the base when the unit is up to pressure. After I heat it up and pull some shots, I have to wipe off condensation from the underside of the base.

Did I use the right gasket? Is there something else I can do to fix the leak? I don't think I can get the element to screw on any tighter to the bottom of the boiler, I've already tried to tighten it a couple times. I did have to use a screwdriver and a Dremel to remove the old fossilized gasket. I don't think I damaged or removed enough of the brass of the element to cause this issue, but I suppose that's possible.

If you had to gouge the old gasket off of the flange that is probably the problem. You will never get that type of gasket to seal up small gouges as it is not flexible enough. You can take it all apart, dry out the existing gasket and use Loctite 518 on both sides. Info, http://www.mcmaster.com/#1810a4/=r8j38w and http://www.mcmaster.com/#loctite-gasket ... rs/=r8j378 Note that Loctite 518 is an NSF 61 product so it is not going to kill you or make you go blind. This product takes care of 1/100" gouges an scratches. Max steam space temperature is ~250F under normal conditions and not much higher when the safety lifts, bottom of the boiler is a lower temperature.

Thank you!