Posted Sun Aug 19, 2012, 2:41pm Subject: So my lelit is dead
Regardless of semi-regular descaling and care, I began to hear some steam and see water dripping from inside the machine this past week. Opening up the hood revealed that the boiler has been leaking tinged water from its seal on all sides. Attempting to probe further resulted in the boiler screws snapping off with almost zero pressure, being completely rotted through.
Obviously Im incredibly angry right now, the machine was a gift several years ago and has served me very well though I am unsure its at a practical point for repair (I am quite sure it wouldnt be very cost effective).
I am now looking for a new machine, though I am on a tight budget. I am debating another lelit but also the ascaso steel duo...
Does anybody have any recommendations, or experience to share?
Thanks!
A.C.
Anthony C
Currently pulling: -espresso- Social Coffee Co. (Ontario, Canada): -Peoples Liberation -Peoples Daily -El Socorro Palo Blanco Espresso
cappuccinoboy Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 789 Location: MILANO Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Milano pod, Milano fully... Grinder: grind on demand
Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012, 9:30am Subject: Re: So my lelit is dead
acasabia Said:
Regardless of semi-regular descaling and care, I began to hear some steam and see water dripping from inside the machine this past week. Opening up the hood revealed that the boiler has been leaking tinged water from its seal on all sides. Attempting to probe further resulted in the boiler screws snapping off with almost zero pressure, being completely rotted through. ............... I am now looking for a new machine, though I am on a tight budget. I am debating another lelit but also the ascaso steel duo...
Does anybody have any recommendations, or experience to share?
It looks to me that replacing the 4 screws and the OR boiler seal should do the trick of giving you back your machine fully functional, and that cannot cost you more than a few dollars... Ciao, Pietro
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012, 9:58am Subject: Re: So my lelit is dead
If the leaking is that bad it sounds like he needs a new boiler to me. But it might not be as costly as you think. I have not worked on your machine, but I feel sure I could replace my own boiler and I am not all that handy.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
cappuccinoboy Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 789 Location: MILANO Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Milano pod, Milano fully... Grinder: grind on demand
Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012, 12:56pm Subject: Re: So my lelit is dead
Coffeenoobie Said:
If the leaking is that bad it sounds like he needs a new boiler to me. But it might not be as costly as you think. I have not worked on your machine, but I feel sure I could replace my own boiler and I am not all that handy.
OP speaks of "rotted" component : it cannot be the brass boiler, ergo is one of the four zink coated screws (how much better if they were stainless steel...) Just beeing positive, still even replacing the complete boiler would not break the bank, and prove a lot cheaper than changing machine Ciao, Pietro
Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012, 1:44pm Subject: Re: So my lelit is dead
acasabia Said:
Regardless of semi-regular descaling and care, I began to hear some steam and see water dripping from inside the machine this past week. Opening up the hood revealed that the boiler has been leaking tinged water from its seal on all sides. Attempting to probe further resulted in the boiler screws snapping off with almost zero pressure, being completely rotted through.
I am now looking for a new machine, though I am on a tight budget. I am debating another lelit but also the ascaso steel duo...
Does anybody have any recommendations, or experience to share?
The machine didnt come from 1stline, though I am looking to you guys for parts. Im pretty sure its a combination overheating/scale build up. If thats the case my guess is a new heating element, boiler seal, and new screws. Im not too sure how Im going to get the old screws out though...
the machine was used for about 2-3 shots a day for the past, descaled using urnex every ~3months.
My fear now is that there may be some electrical implications as well, we will see I guess :(
Anthony C
Currently pulling: -espresso- Social Coffee Co. (Ontario, Canada): -Peoples Liberation -Peoples Daily -El Socorro Palo Blanco Espresso
cappuccinoboy Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 789 Location: MILANO Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Milano pod, Milano fully... Grinder: grind on demand
Posted Tue Aug 21, 2012, 9:37am Subject: Re: So my lelit is dead
acasabia Said:
The machine didnt come from 1stline, though I am looking to you guys for parts. Im pretty sure its a combination overheating/scale build up. If thats the case my guess is a new heating element, boiler seal, and new screws. Im not too sure how Im going to get the old screws out though...
the machine was used for about 2-3 shots a day for the past, descaled using urnex every ~3months.
My fear now is that there may be some electrical implications as well, we will see I guess :(
Anthony, I would not ignore 1stLine offer, after all they are official distributors and it is their duty to assist you, even if machine was purchased beforehand. Do not breack your neck with overheating and limescale build up, the machine has two thermostats, one 95-98 centigrade and the safety 145 (I guess), so even if primary thermostat was broken at 145° you cannot call it overheating, machine was heating regular so heating element is OK (and so are thermostats) , although closer to its working life : they do not last for ever. OR seals can be degraded by aggressive descalers, like say vinegar, still they also do not last forever. so your damage is minimum, since most probably all you need is one seal and 4 screws, and you need not change machine, although that would be a good excuse, if it did not damage too much your finances... Ciao, Pietro
Well, yes. I think that perhaps I would like to upgrade anyway and I am using this as an excuse to do so. I also do feel a bit shameful about wanting to upgrade because I honestly do love this machine.
That said, I took a few minutes to open the machine back up and look at it, for the ~$12 they cost I would probably replace all of the thermostats, the boiler seal, and the screws. In the case of the screws I would be inclined to head to a hardware store and get some steel ones that match the length though I'm sure I couldn't get the same thread count (I'm not sure if the inside of the boiler mount is threaded though).
A few options Im also considering
Fixing this machine with a new boiler seal, screws, thermostats, etc.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,189 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Tue Aug 21, 2012, 11:45am Subject: Re: So my lelit is dead
I see that the boiler bolts are available from 1st-Line. I would find out if they have stainless replacements, and if not, get the size and thread. Most good hardware stores and fastener stores have a large assortment, including metric. A match should be fairly easy with a few calls.
The coffee tstat looks "screw in." If the correct size, you could use one of the RTD threaded sensors from Auber. I have that on Gaggia and works fine and is easy to install.
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