Hi all,

A few weeks ago I came across a video from Olympia demonstrating how the piston removal tool and the gasket installation tool were used to service the SL group. The video was in Swiss I believe. As both tools are sold by Cerini I thought that was where I had come across the link. Turns out I was wrong and can't find the video anywhere. If someone knows where I can find that video I'd be very appreciative !

There is a YouTube video from Cerini on using the seal installation tool to replace seals on the piston. I don't really find that tool that necessary.

The only video I've seen for the SL was made by Migg Frei, but they were using a giant drill press to compress the spring. That was from before the real tool was available.

The Cremina SL spring tool is very useful! To use it, make sure the knob is unscrewed as far as it will go. You insert the lip of the black plastic guide into the opening of the spring tool, then slide the lubricated piston all the way into the "cup" of the spring tool. It should go all the way in until it's flush. Remove the black plastic funnel, and then carefully insert the piston rod up into the grouphead until you can lock the tabs of the tool into the grouphead. Once its locked in you can tighten the knob until the threads of the piston rod are fully exposed. Then screw on the jam nut and acorn nut. Once the nuts are on and tightened you can loosed the knob on the tool and then turn it to unlock from the grouphead. That's all there is to it!

Thanks - in the video I saw the presenter removed the piston by placing the group on a flat surface. He then simply undid the acorn nut and loosened the hex nut below it until the tension on the spring was released. This had the effect of removing the shower screen and gasket (intact) as the piston "thumped" into the table top. The piston tool was later used to reinstall the piston as you described. Given the challenge of removing the group gasket without destroying it, I thought this was an elegant solution. Did you use the piston tool to remove and install the piston ? Or did you do something similar to what I saw in this elusive video?

I think this is this the video you are looking for:
Mod note, Sep 5, 2023: Updated link as Olympia has uploaded a new version of the video.

Thanks - yes, that's the one. I found it on Cerini 's web page for purchasing the Olympia tool. Thanks for posting the link!

pcdawson wrote:Thanks - in the video I saw the presenter removed the piston by placing the group on a flat surface. He then simply undid the acorn nut and loosened the hex nut below it until the tension on the spring was released. This had the effect of removing the shower screen and gasket (intact) as the piston "thumped" into the table top. The piston tool was later used to reinstall the piston as you described. Given the challenge of removing the group gasket without destroying it, I thought this was an elegant solution. Did you use the piston tool to remove and install the piston ? Or did you do something similar to what I saw in this elusive video?

I don't use the method shown in the video to remove the shower screen and piston. Although it's easier and faster than what I do. It actually never occurred to me to do it that way. I'll try to explain how I do it. (It's best to do this with a low water level in the boiler in case you need to move the machine around or tip it.)

First of all, I don't like to remove the grouphead from the machine because I have a thermometer wire attached to it. So, I pull out the drip tray, tape up the grouphead and "fork" and cover the base with a towel in case I drop any tools. Next,remove the circlip from the pin that goes through the piston shaft, but don't pull out the pin. Then, remove the acorn nut and then while pressing on the lever to raise the piston slightly remove the jam nut. Keep holding down the lever slightly! {This step is only needed if you want to insert a nylon fender washer). I place a nylon fender washer on the shaft and then replace the jam nut. You don't need to use a nylon washer, but I do it to protect the chrome. With jam nut back on it should take the pressure off of the pin. Remove the pin and then slowly loosen the jam until it's almost all the way off. Be careful not to go too far. When you get to that point, the shower screen will be pushed down slightly and you can pry it off easily. I use a plastic bike tire lever. Once the shower screen is off, I press the lever down a bit more in order to lock the piston tool into the grouphead (remove the knob from the tool until you get to this point). Once it's in, tighten up the knob until you have enough pressure to raise the jam nut a little. Then you can remove the jam nut and pin and back out the knob on the piston tool. Once there's no pressure on the knob, remove the knob entirely. Unlock the piston tool, and the tool and piston will both come out.

To replace the piston, my method is pretty much the same as the video with the difference being that the group is attached to the machine. It's easiest to leave the knob off the piston tool until you have the tool locked into the group. It's a bit more challenging to replace the shower screen and gasket with the group on the machine. If you have difficulty you can lay the machine on its side if the boiler is low on water.

This is a bit confusing, but it should make sense once you try it. I do not leave the nylon washer in between the jam nut and the grouphead when I reassemble the machine. But you could if you wanted to. That would save you a step the next time you work on the machine, but it will reduce the shot volume a little and look a bit funky too.