La Pavoni Europiccola - Boiler Ran Dry

#1: Post by **Zizo** » March 26th, 2023, 12:19 am

I have a 2019 Europiccola and I let the boiler run dry

- guess it had to happen one day!

I only noticed when the house circuit breaker tripped, so I unplugged it. Now as soon as I plug it into the power outlet it trips the circuit breaker again. Something is short-circuiting.

Would this be fixed by pressing the red button at the bottom to reset the fuse, or is the heating element fried? Not even sure if the red button has 'popped out'.

Thanks for any advice!!

#2: Post by **LObin** » March 26th, 2023, 12:38 am

Start by trying to reset the safety thermostat. If it clicks, it means it has tripped.

#3: Post by **lassepavoni** » March 26th, 2023, 3:19 am

The safety thermostat should be open-circuit if it tripped and thus have disconnected the heater, instead of shorting it out.

In my opinion the heating element is the only thing that may fail short, apart from any wiring mistakes...

#4: Post by **Marmot** » March 26th, 2023, 4:52 am

I'm also afraid it looks like the heating element is done. Do you have a multimeter to check the resistance of the heating element?
In case you get a new element you probably also have to change at least the lower part of the gaskets since they usually also get burnt. I had a Pavoni with a tripped switch and the heating element was fine but the lower sightglass gasket was damaged.

March 27th, 2023, 12:56 am

Thanks, i tried but the button is not moving...

March 27th, 2023, 12:59 am

I think you're right... The shorting indicates something is fried

lassepavoni wrote:The safety thermostat should be open-circuit if it tripped and thus have disconnected the heater, instead of shorting it out.

In my opinion the heating element is the only thing that may fail short, apart from any wiring mistakes...

March 27th, 2023, 1:02 am

I'm getting a multimeter to double-check, but i agree the element is probably fried.

I was going to attempt replacing it myself, but given the gaskets could also be damaged, it sounds like too much trouble. I'll send it in for repair.

Marmot wrote:I'm also afraid it looks like the heating element is done. Do you have a multimeter to check the resistance of the heating element?
In case you get a new element you probably also have to change at least the lower part of the gaskets since they usually also get burnt. I had a Pavoni with a tripped switch and the heating element was fine but the lower sightglass gasket was damaged.

#8: Post by **LObin** » March 27th, 2023, 3:41 pm

Zizo wrote:I'm getting a multimeter to double-check, but i agree the element is probably fried.

I was going to attempt replacing it myself, but given the gaskets could also be damaged, it sounds like too much trouble. I'll send it in for repair.

On a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the easiest and 10 the hardest, it's about a 1.5

Order a new 2 prong heating element and a post-mill element gasket. You'll need to unplug the wires, unscrew the pressurestat first and then the pipe (you can bend it a bit to help clear the prongs). Remove the safety thermostat. Remove the 3 screws with an allen key, remove the Heating element and gasket, and replace with the new ones. Put everything back together. Safety thermostat needs a thermal paste or tape, that you can buy cheap on Amazon
That's it. 10-15 minutes. No sweat

March 29th, 2023, 1:11 am

Thanks, in that case I might give it a try!

One question - is the gasket different from the O-ring that comes with the heating element?

#10: Post by **pcdawson** » March 29th, 2023, 8:32 am

Interesting observation about the lower piston seal possibly being shot. I accidentally let my Cremina boiler run dry - I was using it at the time so caught it quickly and nothing was tripped. I replaced the boiler gasket but hadn't thought about the piston gaskets. Nothing appears to be leaking or dripping from the group so I'm guessing the piston seals are ok?