At least, I THINK this is the dispersion disc. I've never done this before. I've removed the shower screen, and the two 5mm bolts going up into the disc, but it certainly doesn't pry loose easily. What should be coming out? And if it's really, really, really stuck, what's the best way of going about getting it loose?
kitt2000 Senior Member Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 64 Location: nelson, new zealand Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Grimac mini la uno Grinder: macap mx Roaster: Gene cafe
Posted Sat May 10, 2008, 1:48pm Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
Hi, am i right in thinking it's a gaggia? If it is you should be able to get a screw the same thread as the middle screw that holds the shower plate on, but with a longer thread. Screw that into the normal hole in the middle until it makes contact with the grouphead underneath.Keep screwing gently and it should prise the dispersion screen off.
Shepherd Senior Member Joined: 6 Feb 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sat May 10, 2008, 2:08pm Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
I have a bolt that's about twice as long (the shower plate bolt is very short!) but it just screws all the way in. I'll have to buy an even longer one. Other ideas in the interim?
kitt2000 Senior Member Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 64 Location: nelson, new zealand Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Grimac mini la uno Grinder: macap mx Roaster: Gene cafe
Posted Sat May 10, 2008, 2:37pm Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
Sorry, i don't know any other way, that was the only method that worked for me recently.There is a yahoo users group for gaggias, links are given to it frequently on here, if you search some of the gaggia posts on here you should find it. Once you get the dispersion screen off, depending on which model it is - for non 3 way valve machines there will be a bolt in the group head, unscrew this and clean the rubber ball valve and re-insert it.This is the cause of many gaggia dripping and leak complaints
Shepherd Senior Member Joined: 6 Feb 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sat May 10, 2008, 3:34pm Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
Arrgh! I got ambitious and removed the boiler, but I need a real Allen Wrench (as opposed to the multi-Allen Key thingy I have for bike repair) to get the right torque to actually remove two boiler screws.
kitt2000 Senior Member Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 64 Location: nelson, new zealand Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Grimac mini la uno Grinder: macap mx Roaster: Gene cafe
Posted Sat May 10, 2008, 5:10pm Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
Yeah, it really helps to have good quality allen keys.I'm speaking from experience fixing things with mtb tools also! Once you get those last two bolts off you can pull the boiler apart, don't be freaked out by the grey stuff in there, it's just natural oxidation of the aluminium.Just give it a light clean,I usually sand the boiler gasket mating surface if it's corroded, and also replace the boiler o-ring if it's damaged.engineering supply shops can supply a new one in silicon for a couple of dollars.
Shepherd Senior Member Joined: 6 Feb 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sun May 11, 2008, 9:11am Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
Still no dice. I got a longer (1 1/2 inch) bolt, and it goes in at least an inch and then nothing. It won't turn, the dispersion disc won't loosen.
WARNING for folks trying this method: the people at the Yahoo! group say this was maybe not a good idea and might have harmed the group valve. I'll have to wait and see when I can (someday) get this &^%$ disc off to see if I've wrecked the group valve with the screw or not.
Got the boiler apart: once I separate the top column from the bottom part with the pink tube sticking up in the middle, is it supposed to disassemble any more? I was hoping maybe to get to the dispersion disc from above, but nothing doing -- I can't figure out if the boiler comes apart any more than it already has.
cafewest_tech Senior Member Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 262 Location: Medford Expertise: Professional
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 9:23am Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
Hi Its a Gaggia I think and there should be 2 Allen bolts in the holes, and I think they are a #5 or #6 Allen. That removes the disk and the valve is under neath. Jerry
kitt2000 Senior Member Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 64 Location: nelson, new zealand Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Grimac mini la uno Grinder: macap mx Roaster: Gene cafe
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 12:24pm Subject: Re: How do I remove a dispersion disc?
I think you've already removed the two allen bolts right?As far as i know the technique i described should work ok without damaging the group valve.It's a solid bolt head with the spring and ball valve being inside the grouphead so you shouldn't damage them.As long as you used a flat bottomed bolt, it should be fine .The only thing holding the dispersion disc on is a build-up of calcification from the disc, which sets like a cement holding it onto the grouphead.I apologize if any damage was caused, but this technique has worked for me and many others on here.
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