acodring Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Ottawa Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Quick Mill Andreja Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 9:03pm Subject: Maintenance advice for new owner of older Quick Mill Andreja (not Premium!)?
Hi, I bought a used Andreja recently. I had been considering starting my espresso journey with something like a Crossland CC1 until a kijiji ad for a complete e61 and Baratza Vario grinder setup jumped out at me. Maybe it wasn't good judgement, but here I am.
I had a look at the group gasket last weekend. It was deformed and then cracked when I tried to replace it.
That made me think a rebuild of the rest of the group might be overdue as well.
Am I overreacting? Are there tell-tale signs that the group needs work?
If it does need work, does anyone sell a kit of the main parts that will need replacement? I've found kits for other machines online, but nothing for a Quick Mill yet. Our local espresso machine servicing place, Morala, didn't even have an 8.5mm (I hope thats the size it needs!) group gasket in stock.
That definitely looks like it will get me through! Thanks for writing that up, and for pointing it out. My google and forum searches hadn't turned that up yet.
Next challenge is getting the parts I will need before I start taking things apart.
Some of the questions I have as I try to navigate all the parts sites are: How interchangeable are E61 parts between manufacturers? Should I be looking for Quick Mill E61 parts? Did I see somewhere that Quick Mill E61 groups are made by Faema? Do I need to watch out for differences between the Andreja and Andreja Premium group? Apparently my machine passed through Chris' Coffee at some point in its (sordid?) past and has had some of the mods he used to design the Andreja Premium. Not sure which though!
I got the group gasket from Morala this morning and they said a technician will call me during the week about other parts. Hopefully that will go well. I'd prefer to buy from a local shop if I can.
Posted Sun Jun 17, 2012, 7:23am Subject: Re: Maintenance advice for new owner of older Quick Mill Andreja (not Premium!)?
That page doesn't get a lot of hits.
Call CC and talk to them. Probably best to get the right parts as the various manufacturers of E-61's do use their own designs, and while generally similar, slight variances such as the length of the valves will dramatically affect t function.
I would advise opening the thing up and examining the ends of the valves. I am sure that it will need seals, but if the valves are worn then it is easiest just to replace them. CC will probably be able to sell you the entire "kit" of all the parts. IF the metal parts are not worn and IF they come apart, and IF you can get the valve seals out then those can be replaced separately. Use heat to loosen any possible locking compound they used in assembly.
But from your description of the group gasket, I would assume that the inside of the group is just as neglected and you will end up doing a full overhaul.
Also get one or two more group gaskets to have spares. Seal them in plastic bags.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,652 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Jun 19, 2012, 6:15am Subject: Re: Maintenance advice for new owner of older Quick Mill Andreja (not Premium!)?
Just a thought but the GH may not need an overhaul. The PF gasket is a commonly changed part and the normal life is in the range of 6 months. The internal parts tend to last much longer. If the GH is working fine, you might just want to use it as is until it needs a rebuild. Just a thought, like I said. Enjoy.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
acodring Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Ottawa Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Quick Mill Andreja Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Jun 24, 2012, 12:51pm Subject: Quick Mill Andreja - big bang theories?
I sent an email to Chris Coffee and they got back with a helpful list of parts.
@calblacksmith: I'm hopeful the group is ok. I don't really have a sense of what to watch for yet. I'm tempted to tear it down just to confirm it looks OK. Famous last words...
Even before I've taken it apart I've just had a big scare as there was a big thumping bang from inside the machine followed by a cloud of steam. First time its done that in the few weeks I've had the machine.
I'm waiting for it to cool before having a look inside the case.
Could it just have been a pressure release valve or is it more likely the boiler giving out? The boiler pressure gauge stayed high, over 1.5 bar. That's into the 'red zone' on the dial so probably not good either, but I think that means my boiler is still in one piece.
Another issue is the steam wand dripping during warmup, but I'm hopeful that's an easy fix for later. It's not a big problem.
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