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  • New To Me Bezzera BZ40

    I just picked up an old (1996 I believe) Bezzera BZ40P-MG with a burned out heating element for $225!  It is in amazing condition inside & out!  I am in the US, but unfortunately there isn’t much of a following here for these machines, but it looks like the AU has quite the fanbase!

    I have been looking for a used commercial grade machine for some time, that I was planning on fully restoring, but I lucked out big time when I ran across this beauty!  Here are some pictures:













    Here are my plans for this machine:

    1. Check the electronics, to make sure nothing caused a premature heating element failure.

    2. Replace the heating element (Having problems finding one in the US)

    3. Minor cleaning

    4. Replace the steam want with one that has a rotating ball joint

    5. Plumb it in and replace the Silvia!

    This is my first attempt at working on Espresso machines, but it is something I have really wanted to try.  I have done quite a bit of work on cars (Engine Swaps & ect.) so I am confident I can do it.


  • #2
    Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

    Looks like a very nice pickup. Its deals like this where you learn a lot about your machine which will help you in the long run. Hopefully you can get the parts you need to get it going and that someone here can help.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

      Hiya Whiplash Willy
      I am an owner of the same machine but the volumetric model
      With a good cleaning maintenance routine form you It will give you many decades of service 

      The dual gauge on the BZ40 is extremely accurate
      You can adjust Bar pressure and be comfortable in the fact that the gauge is reading correctly

      For parts availability I suggest that you contact Bezzera Italy for the closest distributor in your part of the USA

      Just a quick observation! If the machine is not turning on or heating up it could  be the control box that has failed and the heating element is fine
      Please note that this model has 2 elements
      I am sure that it will still work with one

      ( I personally suspect that the control box is the culprit )

      When you get around to changing the seal in the group head I can advise you on the best and easiest procedure

      PS
      Its looks almost new
      Congrats on a lucky pickup

      KK

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

        Hi Andy,

        Wow ! Nice find, I wish the BZ 35 I had found for about the same price was in as good condition as this.
        As KK said the control box is basically the brain that tells everything what to do, also a couple of things to check also would be the temp. protection switch at the bottom of the boiler. Follow the wires from your pressurestat to the bottom of the boiler, before you disconnect anything unplug the machine, and the remove the wires from the switch and check for continuity with a OHM meter. Also if the boiler is scaled up it could be sending a false signal to the control box, the level probes on top of the boiler are easily removed to clean/check for this. One thing I noticed is that your machine is 110 volts and only has one heating element, I know you can check these by reading resistance across the terminals but to be honest I dont know what it should read. Maybe someone could jump in a help out with that info. Now your machine looks like it was well taken care of, for a 1996 it looks almost new, but being plumbed some people do no know how to maintain or descale these and unfortuneately causes many problems. If it does turn out to be your control box being a PM model it is not too costly to replace. I did reply to you PM with some leads for parts resources I have found as I too am in the states, and if you need any further help post here or PM. Ill be more than happy to assist.

        Leo

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

          Thanks Guys!  And Thank You Leo for sending me all of that information!

          It is weird, everything I have seen/read on the BZ40 showed it having 2 heating elements like KK said, but from this picture, it looks like there is only one, and that the area on the left could have another element, but it is capped off.  Maybe it is that way because it is a 110v?



          The previous owner bought it used, and only was able to use it for a day before the heating element went out.  He removed the heating element, and noted that it had a hole burned through it!  He also said there was no scale buildup in the boiler when he checked, but I havent confirmed that myself.

          This makes me wounder if the element just died on its own because of age, or if there was some other piece that wasnt working, that caused the failure.  I wonder if the control box may be bad, although I am not sure how to test it.  Here is why I think it could be bad.

          1. The Control box was mounted to the cross beam of the frame, under the boiler, which seems like it may be too close to the boiler, and may have heat damage.  The following picture shows its approx location:



          On a picture of a new Strong BZ40, I see the Control Box is mounted above the pump, as seen here:



          As you can see from my above picture my machine doesnt have this mounting bracket.  Maybe since my machine is older, and under the boiler is its stock location, but I would think they would want to keep electronics as far from the boiler as possible, I am not sure.

          KK, Ill have to take you up on your offer of that writeup!  I wasnt planning on replacing the boiler gasket, but maybe I will, it sounds like it would be a good preventative maintenance measure.

          Do you think it would be safe, when testing and descaling, to just drop the line in hose into a clean jug of water, or does the BZ40 have to have a pressurized water source?

          This machine is in amazing condition, and the more I read up on it, the more I realize how lucky I am to have come across this machine.  I am also impressed with the build quality and details of this machine, I really like how all wires are sheathed in a high temp silicon sleeve!

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

            Confirmation
            Element
            Yes by the look of it in the photo only one fitted

            Control Box
            Your model has one control box because its a manual model

            The control box in the photo (fitted above the motor) is for the DE volumetric model

            On the volumetric model you will have both boxes fitted

            Now onto how to fit a commercial type group head seal

            The most thorough way is to
            1) remove the top cover of your machine
            2) get a marking pen an put a dot on the removable brass head this is done to reassemble it correctly. If not done the porta filter will be out of alignment
            3) Unscrew and remove the 3 hex bolts holding the brass group head in place on the brass bridge
            (its heavy so hold onto it at the last stage to catch it from falling)

            4) Dig out and remove the rubber seal. Its possible that it will break up in several pieces. You may need a hammer and a screwdriver if its hardened

            5) Before fitting the new seal clean thoroughly even to the point of using steel wool if required

            5) To fit the new seal
            * Use a little food safe grease or vegetable oil on the brass section
            * Boil some water and soak the new seal, this will soften it
            * Fit it into the head

            Please note:
            There are 2 densities of rubber seal for the BZ99, BZ35 & BZ40, one for commercial use one for home use

            The home use one is the softer version

            Regards
            KK


            Comment


            • #7
              Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

              Try my friends from Colonial Espresso, they are importers of Bezzera in Florida

              http://colonialespresso.com/products.php?cat=2

              If you talk to Orlando send my regards

              Renzo
              Di Bartoli Home Barista Centre

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

                Thanks everybody for the information!

                I had a little time to work on this a little.

                I tried removing the heating element (it uses a 32mm wrench BTW) and some water started pouring out.  This brought up a couple of questions:

                1. How do you drain the boiler, or is just pulling the heating element and letting it drain the best way?

                2. When I put the new element in, how tight do I need to tighten it?

                3. What is the procedure to properly fill the boiler, without damaging the heating element?

                From what the previous owner said about it, everything seemed to work, just the heating element burned out quick.
                I know I will need a new element, but before I replace it, I want to test the safety features this machine has to safeguard against Heating Element failure.

                The 2 safeguards I believe:
                1. 2 Water Sensor Probes
                2. Thermic Safety Device (On Bottom Of Boiler)

                How do I confirm these safeguards are working?  I am guessing that once I confirm these are working, I wont have to worry about burning out the new heating element right?

                Once I have the new element installed, Can I just drop the water in line into a clean jug of water to test everthing?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

                  1. How do you drain the boiler, or is just pulling the heating element and letting it drain the best way?

                  Tilt the machine in one site and take the heating element.

                  2. When I put the new element in, how tight do I need to tighten it?
                  Just tight, you will feel it

                  3. What is the procedure to properly fill the boiler, without damaging the heating element?
                  A: Clean your level regulator probes. And pull the fill probe a bit higher, so can over fill the boiler a bit.
                  B: Turn ON the machine this should fill automatically.
                  If not check that your fill probe is sending the signal to the solenoid for refiling the boiler. Just disconnected this one for a second should fill boiler, otherwise you have a problem.
                  C: Connect wires to the heating element and check for any leakages.

                  Try that see how you go.

                  Regards

                  Renzo
                  Di Bartoli Home Barista Centre

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

                    To add to the information that KK gave on replacing the grouphead seal, the BZ machines manufactured before 2004 may be fitted with the "thin" grouphead seal which would resemble a square O ring, the post 2004 machines should have the larger "thick" seal, Bezzera part # 7493008. Either way the installation instructions are as KK had posted.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

                      Well, it has been along time, but I finally replaced the heating element, and fired her up! Everything appears to be working as it should. The new heating element was slightly different then the old one. The element is the same length and width, just the part that folds over and heads back towards the plugs is a little longer on the new on.

                      I ran some water through the steam wand, water wand, and group head. The water was kind of dirty, but it has been some time since it was last used. When I had the element out, I checked the inside of the boiler, and it does have some green/blueish buildup inside, but not very much. When I drained the boiler (Via the drain valve) I noticed a lot of small black specs. (Hopefully this isnt bad)

                      My next step is to get some Citric Acid, and descale the boiler and HX. I also plan to run alot of water through the entire system until the water comes out clean and clear!

                      Since my machine is from 1996, I belive it has the older grouphead design. The portafilter that came with the machine fits fine, but I ordered a new replacement, and the "Tabs" are too thick to fit in the grouphead. Does anyone know where I can find the older style portafilters? One thing I dont like about this machine is the Portafilter is very light and feels cheap. My V3 Silvia portafilter is much heftier, and has a much cleaner casting. I wounder if there are any other portafilters that may fit my old BZ40. I am almost thinking of buying a newer grouphead and bolting it up, so I can use the newer style portafilters, but that piece is $158 USD, so it may have to wait.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: New To Me Bezzera BZ40

                        Originally posted by 5B64657C606D7F64535B656060750C0 link=1310060816/10#10 date=1320091323
                        Since my machine is from 1996, I belive it has the older grouphead design.  The portafilter that came with the machine fits fine, but I ordered a new replacement, and the "Tabs" are too thick to fit in the grouphead.  Does anyone know where I can find the older style portafilters?  One thing I dont like about this machine is the Portafilter is very light and feels cheap.  My V3 Silvia portafilter is much heftier, and has a much cleaner casting.  I wounder if there are any other portafilters that may fit my old BZ40.  I am almost thinking of buying a newer grouphead and bolting it up, so I can use the newer style portafilters, but that piece is $158 USD, so it may have to wait.
                        This can be overcome with a thinner rubber seal
                        Also Bezzera (in Australia) has 2 types of seals

                        1) A hard rubber compound for cafe work as the heat softens it, while left on for many hours

                        2) A softer compound for home use 

                        I had a similar situation with one of my group handles
                        I changed to the softer compound and all is now locking fine 

                        KK

                        Comment

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