Am I being ripped off?

[Kitty]

Or have I suddenly become incompetent?

A couple of months ago my Silvia sprung a leak and, going unnoticed because the water was draining into the cats water dish, the boiler failed.
I had her repaired at my local Rancilio dealer and, three weeks later, the boiler failed again. After a long argument with the repairer about whether this should be covered under warranty we agreed Id pay the raw parts cost.

Ive had Silvia for 2.5 years, never had any problems with her and, as far as I know, never really altered the way I make coffee.
Once Ive pulled a shot and steamed some milk I open the steam valve to release the pressure, then switch Silvia to brew until water comes out of the group head to refill the boiler - Does it sound like Im doing anything wrong?

Thanks,
Chris.

[scoota_gal]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

It doesnt sound like youre doing anything wrong, Chris. It sounds like the same practice that most of us Silvia owners use.

But, I cant really offer any other advice. There are others here who will, Im sure.

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

This is a general answer

As with all mechanical devices they will always fail at there weakest point
even after repair the weakest point may not have been fixed but if it was the machine would have found the next weakest point.

It is possible that by fixing the original problem it created or found another

KK

[foul-up]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

Ive pulled a shot and steamed some milk I open the steam valve to release the pressure, then switch Silvia to brew until water comes out of the group head to refill the boiler - Does it sound like Im doing anything wrong?

the silvia comes with an additional switch for hot water, second switch down.
open steam valve turn on water switch(not brew switch) this activates the pump, when you get a good flow of water out of steam nozzle then the boiler is full. turn of switch ,close steam valve.
doing it this way is quicker and doesnt activate the three way solenoid

graham

fior an element to only last three weeks could also be a faulty element, it does happen

[sdg]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

Hi Chris,

well if youre doing something wrong then I also am doomed :-/

My Silvia drips out the steam wand more or less continuously unless I turn the steam knob off hard, so Im always peering into the water resevoir to check. I thought Id cooked her at one stage (as in got water, but no heat), but (lucky for me!) turned out only the thermostat had tripped. Theres a short description of this here

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1207982105

and an extended discussion on CG
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/esp...machines/11344

might be worth a look for hints as to what else might possibly be wrong

[foul-up]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

My Silvia drips out the steam wand more or less continuously unless I turn the steam knob off hard,

all this requires is a new steam washer
turning any tap off hard will damage the thread in the valve or break the knob, all for a little rubber washer

[sdg]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

Oohh -- thanks for that :-[

Dont suppose youre in Melbourne, by any chance?

Nope -- Batemans Bay. Darn

Rancilio parts & service in Melbourne (SE suburbs) -- any recommendations?

[foul-up]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

talk to chris @ talk coffee, he should be able to help

[Kitty]

Re: Am I being ripped off?

Hmmm, Ive spent the morning reading various bits and pieces around the net and Im now suspicious that this whole things the result of a leaky 3-way valve, and didnt start with a boiler leak - does that sound possible?
When the brand new boiler went I was insistent that it was either a problem the repairer hadnt fixed or a problem with the repair itself.. Its just so frustrating; Ive been without Silvia for two months (I insisted that if they were going to just replace the boiler again and not cover it under warranty they run it in the shop for a month so they cant blame me when it happens again)