Izzo Alex Leva

[>Casa Espresso]

We have a set in stock if needed

Antony
Casa Espresso

[Hoggers]

Hello fellow snobs and a belated Happy new year to all...

A quick question. I have noticed that my pressure gauge has darkened from its original white colour to more of a smokey grey colour which is more obvious around the left side. Where the needle sits is still white.

I am guessing it is due to the heat but I was wondering if anyone else has the same? Other than cosmetic there is no issue and I sure new / replacement dials can be purchased if needed.

On a different note I have really been enjoying the subscription packs from Coffee Better (site sponsor). Not sure if anyone else has tried them but they are pretty damn nice. Darker beans than I normally drink but the flavours are wonderful.

Cheers all

Alastair

[Dr_Dave]

Hi Alistair,
Sounds as though a seal on the gauge has gone. It should be easily replaceable I would think. Chris at TC or Anthony at Casa Espresso will have them Im sure. If it is cosmetic and still working OK, if it were mine Id leave it
Cheers
Dave

[Hoggers]

Cheers Dave...

As all seems to be working I will leave as is. Does not bother me and if anything lends a bit more of an old school feel.

[Hoggers]

Help... if anyone can

I need to remove the solenoid to give it a clean as Chris (TC) suspects I may have blocked it when I neglected to flush a newly installed filter.

I can see the solenoid but have no idea how to get to it.. The side panels do no seem to be able to be removed and the only possible way I can see if via the removal of the bottom panel (laying the machine of its side).

Has anyone removed the panels or otherwise removed the solenoid and care to share how to do it?

It has me well stumped.

A million thanks,

Alastair

[Dr_Dave]

Hi Alistair,
I removed the panels some years ago to remove the cup warming option. I haven't touched the solenoid. It took me a while to work it out but They are hinged panels. Hinged at the aft end (from memory) and I undid the front screw and hinged them up which gave great access. I have had recent surgery so cannot move mine to check Im sorry, however Im sure Chris will be able to tell you.
Cheers
Dave

[Hoggers]

Thanks Dave...

After much head scratching I finally ended up laying the machine on its back and removing the bottom panels. Once done solenoid was quickly removed and once the bits and pieces were taken apart I found that the filter was jammed solid.

Followimg the excellent advice of he who cannot be named �� and his excellent and super helpful and friendly tech, a good soak in some caffeletto (sic) I was able to remove the build up of carbon and water flow was restored once more.

Lessons learned from all of this is that one always needs to give a new filter a good flush before connecting to machine and secondly it is very easy to remove and replace solenoid.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who helped.

Alastair

[Sink_cut]

Good to hear your success Alastair.. I am wondering if i also have a blocked solenoid.
I have been enjoying my machine nearly 3 years now. I can clearly hear the solenoid click open but no water will flow. I can make the water flow by going to the sink and opening the drinking water tap which is also connected to the filter which is downstream from the pressure reducer.
So my amature guess is that either my solenoid is blocked enough not to allow enough flow to open the pressure reducer by itself, or, my pressure reducer is stuffed. Any ideas?

[Sink_cut]

Just to follow up:
I had some success with this issue without touching the machine.
I disconnected my pressure reducer valve and had a look. The spring valve inside felt a tiny bit sticky to initially depress. I flushed both sides with high pressure water and it seemed a little bit better.
I connected it all back up and now the machine will now refill without me intervening. I can tell by the sound it makes that the PR valve is not all the way open, but this is still enough to slowly fill the boiler.
I will keep any eye on it over the next few weeks before i call it fixed - but fingers crossed it is.

[Sink_cut]

For the record, when i say “Slowy” fill the boiler i mean: 30 seconds, machine 120c, boiler pressure 1 bar, approx 600-650ml measured between fills.

Also worth noting is that i have always run about 5 meters of 3/8 JG tube between the filter and the machine - i am sure this also has an impact on flow rate and in turn the amount the PR valve opens. This is no issue though - its not like 30 sec refill every 4-5 shots is a big deal.

[Seeds]

I received an Alex Leva a few weeks ago and it's my first go at a machine (lucky me). Iv'e had a few issues such as a bad solenoid valve on delivery, which was repaired by a local shop on the distributors dime. A week into using it the vacuum breaker started hissing and the merchant sent a replacement, without asking me to try to clean first. I haven't received it yet to replace it.

Since this is my first machines I'm rather inexperienced with things that may or may not be normal or not an issue. I have a question about an indentation that forms on the puck after pulling a shot. The same indentation occurs each time and with both the double spout and bottomless portafilters. It seems like there is more pressure in the spot or the shower head is spraying harder in that spot. Puling the handle without the portafilter doesn't look like there is any more or less spray at that spot. It's kind of hard to see in the photos, but it's the left side. The photo's I have make it look slightly more minor, and it's not deep, but it is consistent.


https://imgur.com/eGmUMfS

https://imgur.com/do7sZ5G

[level3ninja]

Have your tried doing everything as per normal but just before you lock the portafilter into the machine, rotate the baster in the portafilter by 90°?

Also how many grams of coffee are you putting in the basket?

[Seeds]

I rotated the basket and the spot remained in the same location relative to the portafilter/group head. This is using 18g of coffee, and 20 grams previously was when I first started paying attention and noticing it.

[Yelta]

I received an Alex Leva a few weeks ago and it's my first go at a machine (lucky me). Iv'e had a few issues such as a bad solenoid valve on delivery, which was repaired by a local shop on the distributors dime. A week into using it the vacuum breaker started hissing and the merchant sent a replacement, without asking me to try to clean first. I haven't received it yet to replace it.

Since this is my first machines I'm rather inexperienced with things that may or may not be normal or not an issue. I have a question about an indentation that forms on the puck after pulling a shot. The same indentation occurs each time and with both the double spout and bottomless portafilters. It seems like there is more pressure in the spot or the shower head is spraying harder in that spot. Puling the handle without the portafilter doesn't look like there is any more or less spray at that spot. It's kind of hard to see in the photos, but it's the left side. The photo's I have make it look slightly more minor, and it's not deep, but it is consistent.


https://imgur.com/eGmUMfS

https://imgur.com/do7sZ5G

Has you removed and cleaned the screen as well as the area under it, then back flushed with a cleaner like Cafetto EVO, looks to me as if the screen is choked with gunk and directing the flow into one area.

Looking at your pics the puck looks to have been disturbed, the coffee grounds blasted out around the edge of the basket is not normal, this area should remain quite clean.

Is the machine new or second hand?
PS Welcome to Coffee Snobs.

[Seeds]

This is a new machine, 3 weeks old now. I'm wary of the machine based on what I've already experienced. I was told by the tech at the vendor it was not necessary to back flush a lever machine, and could actually damage it. I've scrubbed the screen with the group brush, but have not yet popped off the screen.

The coffee I've been getting out of it has been tasting dry, like there are grounds mixed in. I'm using an HG-one grinder.

Thank you for the welcome. This thread is quite amazing, and I was really stoked to get this machine.