Hi all, just got my Silvia steam wand in the mail today, and I'm trying to remove the steam tube from the stock steam wand. I've never dealt with this kind of clamp, though (or any parts/appliances like this, really). How do I remove it? Do I need a special tool? Do I just pinch/pull in a certain area?
Yes, pinch the ends to make the circle clamp expand. The clamp may be a bit stuck in place from heating and cooling, and the wand may be stuck in the end. You can always remove the top clamp where it is easy to get to and take the hose and wand out and then work on it. Tool for most of us is pliers to both squeeze and work the clamp free while sgueezing. I am assuming that yours is like the EC701.
PeanutButterBoy Senior Member Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Hoboken Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Delonghi EC155
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 5:53am Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC155 (and EC152CD, EC310, etc.) Modification Guide & Ideas
I've had this machine for several months now, but I'm no longer getting ANY crema. I made a shot and took a photo right after, here's the result: http://i.imgur.com/DtrKCe9.jpg?1
I've only had this machine since August 2012. Here's what I've done so far:
- I've opened/cleaned both filters. - Ran a long cycle of white vinegar, followed by 2 long cycles of water. - Removed the filter attached to the machine (where the portafilter attaches to) and cleaned all the gunk out.
Still no crema.
Any ideas how can I fix this? Is there a problem with my pump?
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,223 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 11:21am Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC155 (and EC152CD, EC310, etc.) Modification Guide & Ideas
I doubt that it is a pump problem since you did not mention poor flow, just crema.
Are you using the stock pressurized system, or have you depressurized? If pressurized, have you cleaned it well. Your pressurized system can get a bit gunked up.
I will ask about beans, but sounds like you have not changed that variable, whatever you are using.
What are you getting for flow out of the shower screen? Is it even?
Is the machine clean of cleaner, does the water without coffee come out clear and taste ok?
PeanutButterBoy Senior Member Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Hoboken Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Delonghi EC155
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 12:33pm Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC155 (and EC152CD, EC310, etc.) Modification Guide & Ideas
I have not depressurized this system. I've been using it every weekend since August 2012 with no changes at all - I still use the same coffee, same water, same everything. It just randomly stopped producing crema. Once it stopped producing crema, I did the vinegar run followed by 2 hot water runs. I also cleaned the shower screen (is that the piece that touches the portafilter when it's connected?).
So I just checked the flow out of the shower screen and it's predominantly coming out of two spots. I would say 90% of the water is pouring from 2 locations, with the rest dripping from 3-4 other spots, but it's not an even flow. What's this mean?
The cleaner (vinegar) taste is gone, the water tastes fine straight.
The shower screen or diffuser is held on by a single screw. You can remove that and then see if there is blockage behind it. Easily removable for occasional cleaning, and you may have done that, as opposed to just cleaning off the outside.
PeanutButterBoy Said:
I also cleaned the shower screen (is that the piece that touches the portafilter when it's connected?).
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,223 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 1:23pm Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC155 (and EC152CD, EC310, etc.) Modification Guide & Ideas
IIRC, the shower screen diffuser is the only mechanism to diffuse the single stream from the center parts 56 and 57 on the diagram. If the screen is clean and clear underneath, then probably what you see is what you get as far as diffusion of flow. In that case, if you rotate the screen say 90 degrees, the streams will not rotate, but will stay the same.
Have you tried brewing since the descale?
What did you do to clean the basket and pressure assembly? Soak in a cleaner, not descaler? Disassemble?
PeanutButterBoy Senior Member Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Hoboken Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Delonghi EC155
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 3:48pm Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC155 (and EC152CD, EC310, etc.) Modification Guide & Ideas
By basket and pressure assembly, do you mean the filter cups (23 and 24 on the parts list)? I took those apart, soaked them in warm water, washed them thoroughly, let them try, then put them back together.
I'll check for more blockages behind the shower screen and try twisting it. Will report back.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 