Hi there

On my Bezzera BZ09 the part of the copper steam tap hose that attaches to the top of the boiler leaks. When the machine is turned on and heating up, air leaks from the join, not the bit that screws onto the boiler but the join between the copper hose and nut (on the right in the pic)



My question is whether its viable to seal the leak (not sure what with or how) or to replace it. I live in france and finding the right part is a nightmare online. I've only seen a part resembling what I need on epgc.com

Any help appreciated

cheers

I would strongly suggest that the tap should be replaced. They only get worse and you could be without water one day. Not a good thing! I know from experience.
JMO
~Richard
PS
If you are good with your hands, removing the fitting, cutting the line behind the leak and and placing a new one further from the break should do it. I would replace the entire line if it has a fitting at both ends. You should be able to find the copper tubing on line. A cheap brake line bender/ tubing bender will bend it without kinking. Google it.

Hello:

kauka187 wrote: On my Bezzera BZ09 the part of the copper steam tap hose that attaches to the top of the boiler ...

Have a look at this BZ09 Parts file here:
https://www.1st-line.com/wp-content/upl ... -Parts.pdf

Go to pages 18/19.

The part that leaks on one end is in position 3 on the list on page 18.
It has a code 5162297LL and description "steam tap hose".




It's not really a "hose", it's a pipe or a tube.
Maybe something got lost in the translation.
But I digress.

IMO you have two options:

1. Order the pipe from a dealer who has Bezzera parts.

You take out the leaking part and replace it with the new one.
That's the advantage of using Serto fittings (but only) for the OEMs: their machines are easier to build and parts easier to replace.
For us users it is problematic as you usually do not need the whole part (which is usually quite expensive) and Serto fittings are hard to come by in case you need to replace one.

2. You take out the leaking part, give it a good clean up with acid or white vinegar and inspect the place where it seems that there's a leak.

If the pipe is cracked you can just have it brazed and that will be it.
Just put it back in place and you will be on your way.

If the pipe is not cracked, put it back in its place carefully tightening it and then check if it still leaks.

Cheers,

CIV

civ wrote:Hello:


Have a look at this BZ09 Parts file here:
https://www.1st-line.com/wp-content/upl ... -Parts.pdf

Go to pages 18/19.

The part that leaks on one end is in position 3 on the list on page 18.
It has a code 5162297LL and description "steam tap hose".

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It's not really a "hose", it's a pipe or a tube.
Maybe something got lost in the translation.
But I digress.

IMO you have two options:

1. Order the pipe from a dealer who has Bezzera parts.

You take out the leaking part and replace it with the new one.
That's the advantage of using Serto fittings (but only) for the OEMs: their machines are easier to build and parts easier to replace.
For us users it is problematic as you usually do not need the whole part (which is usually quite expensive) and Serto fittings are hard to come by in case you need to replace one.

2. You take out the leaking part, give it a good clean up with acid or white vinegar and inspect the place where it seems that there's a leak.

If the pipe is cracked you can just have it brazed and that will be it.
Just put it back in place and you will be on your way.

If the pipe is not cracked, put it back in its place carefully tightening it and then check if it still leaks.

Cheers,

CIV

Hi there. Cheers for the reply. I took the pipe off and cleaned it with vinegar as well as cleaning some black gunk that was just inside the fitting. Now it's right as rain with no leak!

However, now that I'm able to run the machine without water going everywhere, I think that maybe there's a problem with the thermostat.

The orange light turns off after about 5mins (to indicate that it has reached the right temperature). Is this normal? I thought it took like 20mins to get up to temperature. The other thing is that when I turn on the steam button, the orange light which is supposed to turn on, doesn't.

Should I make a new topic for this perhaps?

It's a second hand Bezzera BZ09 that I have. Got it super cheap but they said it worked perfectly

Cheers

Hello:

kauka187 wrote: ... took the pipe off and cleaned it with vinegar ...
Now it's right as rain with no leak! :D

Glad you got it fixed.

kauka187 wrote: ... maybe there's a problem with the thermostat.

From the state of the leaking pipe, I'd say that any problems you may be having now are probably caused by the absence of proper maintenance by the previous owner.

kauka187 wrote: ... orange light turns off after about 5mins (to indicate that it has reached the right temperature). Is this normal?
... when I turn on the steam button, the orange light which is supposed to turn on, doesn't.

I don't think one of these machines can come up to operating temperature in 5' but I cannot say, it seems to have a 0.5l boiler with a 1.4KW heater. That said, 5' seems too soon.

There are a number of things you'll have to check maintenance-wise before things get straightened out.
Your machine most probably has not had proper maintenance and that takes its toll on any machine.
Scale forms in the boiler, valves, group, etc. and affects how it works.

But it's nothing that can't be fixed with care and some work and patience.

The HB forum is absolutely full of posts with instructions and tips on espresso machine maintenance (cleaning, descaling, etc.).
Do a search on "Bezzera BZ09" and you'll surely find something specific. If not specific, general instructions apply.

The most important is this one: electricity and water do not mix well.
Any maintenance should be done with the machine unplugged and any electrical repairs/mods should be done by/looked at/supervised by someone who knows about how to work with electrical appliances.

Here's a link to download a manual for your machine:
https://www.manualslib.com/download/123 ... -Bz09.html

The manual has instructions on maintenance (Section 6) and troubleshooting instructions (Section 7) as well as ver comprehensive parts diagrammes.

Cheers,

CIV

Thanks so much to take the time to reply. Much appreciated.

I'm guessing you're right about the previous owners failure to do regular maintenance. Which is deflating.

However I'm buoyed by your comments that with a little attention and care, there's no reason why I can't get it to work properly.

Thanks once again.

Hello:

kauka187 wrote:Thanks so much ...

You're welcome.

kauka187 wrote:Thanks so much ...
... right about the previous owners failure to do regular maintenance.

The state the leaking pipe is a clear indication.
But if you got it for a good price ...

As long as it's only scale and residues, it can be cleaned up.
A problem would be a damaged element, pump or valve which would mean $$$ but still doable.

From what I've seen, Bezzera makes solid machines and their smaller home machines also seem solid.
I'm sure you'll manage. Search here at HB for pointers on maintenance and do a Google/Yahoo search and you'll find more than enough information to get you started.

Do keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers,

CIV

civ wrote: I don't think one of these machines can come up to operating temperature in 5' but I cannot say, it seems to have a 0.5l boiler with a 1.4KW heater. That said, 5' seems too soon.

In a perfect system, a 1.4KW element will heat .5l of water from room temperature to boiling in around 2 minutes. Of course, there are all kinds of inefficiencies in an espresso machine, including inefficient conversion of electricity to heat, heat leakages from the boiler, and so on. Moreover, to be really ready to use the group and pipes leading to the group should be at temperature. However, 5 minutes seems not impossible. Why not simply measure the water temperature and see?

Hello:

David R. wrote:In a perfect system, a 1.4KW element ...

That's probably right.

But I don't think we are talking about a perfect system here.
Or the heating of 500cc of water to 100°C in 5'.

What we are talking about is a highly inefficient and uninsulated system, weighing in at roughly 17kg and devised to pump water through a portafilter filled with ground coffee in order to produce roughly 30cc of liquid at a pre-determined temperature in a pre-determined time.

Now, in order to be able to do that, this (or any other similar) system must reach the operating temperature ie: thermal stability I made referrence to in my previous post.

I don't think (but could be wrong) the BZ09 gets that done in 5'.

Cheers,

CIV

He was wondering whether the orange light going out in 5 minutes was normal. Based on the energy computation it seems very plausible that the water would be at the desired temp by the end of 5 minutes. That doesn't mean the machine is ready to brew decent espresso at that point.