Water leaking from above handle rancilio s20

[BFY]

Hey guys,

I have myself a used but clean Rancilio S20 2 Group machine. One side is fine, makes a really nice coffee without any dramas.
The other side however, leaks hot water from between the group head and the handle.

I'm assuming its just the group seals that would do that? The seals looks good and I've cleaned it up. One thing I do notice is if I use my single shot handle, regardless of which side I use, water leaks out also. Is it possible the actual handle can be damaged? The material is really solid on these so I dont see how it could be, but I thought I'd ask just in case.

If it is the seals, Is it a simple DIY job? I haven't really looked into doing it but assume I remove the screens and just get something like a hook to pull the rubber out?

Thanks guys

[rackxp]

Hey Mate,

Sound like your seals are shot. It's a pretty simple fix. Site sponsor coffee parts can supply you with new seals. You might also need a paper spacer as well. They are really easy to change.

[BFY]

Yeah I've contacted them about parts and they also recommended the spacer.

Moving the machine to its permanent home so I'll have a look during the week

[rackxp]

I would also put in a new shower screen as well.

[BFY]

Yeah I'll do a change over. Old owner said it was done a few months ago but I'd rather do it.

The screw on one of the screens is hard to get off and I don't wanna stuff it up

[rackxp]

You can use a socket if that makes it easier.

[Dimal]

After you get it off and are ready to screw it back in, don't fully tighten it in place.
Rather, just tighten up with your fingers using the socket for grip.
Repeated thermal cycling will actually cause the screw to tighten up over time...

Mal.

[BFY]

They don't actually have the socket fitting. It's just a flat head screw
Even the replacement part from coffee parts looks to be the same. I think it's just coked up to be honest so it might need a tap to help break the seal

Ordered my parts today hopefully in time for the weekend

[Dimal]

You could always buy a s/s flat or countersunk socket-head screw and use an Allen Key....

Advice re tightening still holds true though. Finger tight is tight enough...

Mal.

[BFY]

That's what I'm dealing with at the moment. Can't get the screw driver to "bite" and not enough room to get vice grips onto it

[MorganGT]

If you've got new showers on the way and you can't get the screw loose by any other means, you could do what I do in that situation. Big needlenose pliers, open the jaws and use the tip of one jaw to hook over the rim of the shower and lever the edge of the shower down using the edge of the head as a pivot point. Once one side of the shower is bent down close to 90 degrees, you grab the bent bit with the pliers and use them to rotate the shower anticlockwise to help loosen the screw.

[BFY]

Sounds like the way to go Morgan many thanks!

[noidle22]

If you have new shower screens ready to install, which you probably should do anyway as they're cheap, then you can sacrifice this one to get the screw out.

Get the flat head screwdriver and find the lip on the edge of the shower screen and bend it down. If there is no lip, gently insert the screwdriver in between where the screen meets the group head and pry it down.

Repeat this on the other side of the screen. Bend each side down until they can be gripped with pliers together. Using the pliers, pull down whilst slowly twisting anticlockwise.
This should grab onto the screw and undo it.

It can take a few tries to do it but this generally works.

Edit: Too slow!

[BFY]

Heh recently serviced my ass lol
Took me ages to break the old gasket off it was pretty much hard plastic.

Still got some leakage but it might need some settling in?

[rackxp]

You might need a second paper spacer. Does your handle go past 6 o'clock?