La Valentina Group Gasket/Screen Falling

#1: Post by **ptrck2184** » December 7th, 2012, 2:28 pm

Almost every morning when I wake up I find my group gasket/screen on the kitchen floor. When I go to attach the gasket to the grouphead, it feels like it is not snug and take a bit of fiddling with to catch. I have attached two pictures in the hopes that someone more advanced than me can identify the problem.

Do I just need to buy a new gasket?

Thanks guys!

December 7th, 2012, 2:29 pm

#3: Post by HB » December 7th, 2012, 2:35 pm

ptrck2184 wrote:Do I just need to buy a new gasket?

Probably. When did you last change it? Gaskets dry out and can shrink over time. BTW, you really need to clean that screen and water breaker.

December 7th, 2012, 2:36 pm

Never...purchased the machine approximately one year ago. It is used for 2-3 coffees per day. On for 2 hours in the morning and 4 hours at night. All day Saturday and Sunday.

I will source a replacement. Thanks Dan.

I know! I was almost embarrassed to post a photo after I saw what was there.

#5: Post by **Spitz.me** » December 7th, 2012, 4:03 pm

This falling group gasket with screen is something I've experienced before with my La Valentina. Just change the gasket. Buy like 4 at a time, I find I'm going through gaskets fairly quickly with my La Val. My issue is that I think my whole machine gets way too hot and I think that's drying out my gasket faster. I can barely touch the top edges near the steam knob, it's REALLY hot.

Also, you should be backflushing with cafiza fairly regularly. You definitely ARE NOT.