Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 2:20pm Subject: Re: Oscar Pump Problems (again)
Is there supposed to be a gasket between the neplax and the brew head? I saw a dried out gasket loose inside the case that looked like it fit there, but when I checked the parts diagram for NS, it did not show a gasket, so I just decided to go with plumber's tape.
How likely is it that I stripped the threads inside both the group and the valve? I can't see the threads well enough on the group, but the valve's threads are flattened. THe valve is very soft metal, and is already scratched and pitted from the wrench and pliers.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,314 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 3:04pm Subject: Re: Oscar Pump Problems (again)
I would have to take mine apart to check the gasket but it seems likely there is one there. I would hope that you only hurt the valve. The valves are very soft and easily scratched, the Group head is chromed brass also I believe. I know that they have taped out threads on the head for the part I am adding. Maybe it is possible to retap the treads if they are damaged. You might need a connecting part to step down from the larger threads to the valve if you retap the group head.
Coffeenoobie
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Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 4:50pm Subject: Re: Oscar Pump Problems (again)
I think I would rather JB Weld or Epoxy a new fitting tube on the side of the group than take the entire thing apart and try to retap it if it comes down to it. There's a lot of room and a lot of clearance to work with. I can't imagine that would make much of a difference, would it? I really wish I could figure out if there's supposed to be a gasket there or not.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Mon Dec 17, 2012, 1:54am Subject: Re: Oscar Pump Problems (again)
Frank, I see you had the exact same problem a couple of months ago. How did you resolve it? I'm planning to try and hit up NS for a new Neplax valve in the morning, as well as a set of case screws.
Posted Mon Dec 17, 2012, 6:13am Subject: Re: Oscar Pump Problems (again)
Markarian Said:
Frank, I see you had the exact same problem a couple of months ago. How did you resolve it? I'm planning to try and hit up NS for a new Neplax valve in the morning, as well as a set of case screws.
When I had water leaking from it wasn't because I stripped the threads. I think it just wasn't on tight enough. I think I let the parts heat up and tightened it down even further. Thinking back I thought I went too tight but it seems as though that issue went away after that.
Also from what I remember, there was no gasket. Also I tightened it down a ridiculous amount. Im surprised I didn't damage anything.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Mon Dec 17, 2012, 6:22am Subject: Re: Oscar Pump Problems (again)
I'm surprised you didn't too, because while the group was at temperature (and leaking) with the valve having a now double layer of plumber's tape, I kept tightening it until the threads turned to butter. The leak didn't stop and I flattened half the threads on the valve. I PRAY didn't do the same on the group, but I can't see well enough to tell. I gotta say this part of the group assembly seems poorly-designed. Off to NS this afternoon if they have the part.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Dec 18, 2012, 3:01am Subject: Re: Oscar Pump Problems (again)
Got the new valve and it turns out I had the old style all the long. I got the new one, which has stamped on the side "16,5 BAR," which is really encouraging. I took it home, got some heavy duty teflon tape and installed it in the group, making sure to stop tightening this time as soon as it was flush with the group surface. It leaks. Dammit.
So at this point I'm getting fed up and taking the NS tech's recommendation to just JB Weld the neplax to the group to make a good seal. The GOOD news is that the drain hose from the neplax is now bone dry, even during backflushing. So the leak being equal, this valve isn't opening at a whim anymore.
I pulled some decently drinkable shots, even with the valve leaking, but at this point it's draining the poor HX and I think it's playing hell with my brew temp. I need to get this fixed.
In other news, I just got my VST 18g ridgeless. What a strange, tricky beast it is. Going to be starting a new thread on it soon, because it has me stumped.
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