Faema Due - $100

[Ron_Chambers]

Maybe a press-on "starlock" washer, designed to retain a part on a metal shaft, very hard to remove though.

Ron

[Dimal]

Perhaps a Circlip of the right size might do the job...


Mal.

[greencardigan]

Does anyone know where I can source these spring clip things? They clip around the plastic standoffs on the front button panels to hold it on. I'm missing three.

[sprezzatura]

Plug some of the nib holes. Or, enjoy the steam power of a commercial machine, hey?

[sprezzatura]

Raise water level probe. Less steam volume.

[greencardigan]

I've been getting some really excellent extractions from this machine! I'm using the single basket from my Breville BES920 with my usual grind and dosage but the Faema extraction seems a step up from the BES920.

I'm still mesmerised by the steam volume! Anything I can do to make it more manageable?

[sprezzatura]

Try your spacer; it may work.

[sprezzatura]

OPV may drip anyway. Thermal expansion of water in circuit. Don't worry about it if you're getting your 9 bar at group. Steam. Always a hassle with this style valve. Occasionally reseating the brass part of the seal area allows the gasket to seat completely. It's annoying but can be lived with.

[greencardigan]

She's alive! I managed to make a coffee on the machine this morning! The extraction wasn't the best but was drinkable. My quick temperature check showed water from the group was around 92-93 degrees.

Still a few minor issues. The repaired steam valve no longer leaks out the back through the main seal but slowly leaks steam through the wand. Would this settle down in time after the new seal settles in? Or possibly I need to put a spacer behind the spring to increase the sealing force.

Also the OPV is slowly dripping regardless of the setting. Again, this may be just the seal re-settling?

[greencardigan]

I've replaced the 3-way valve seals, and group head jet seals and have connected everything back up to test.

No leaks, and more importantly, 9 bar pump pressure! Although I'm getting 9 bar with and without the blind filter. Is that normal?

Pump pressure with and without blind filter

Also when the boiler auto fill is running it's showing 8 bar. Seems a bit high?

Next step is to get the boiler up to temp again to check the repaired leaky steam valve. Getting close to a fully functioning machine.

[greencardigan]

Coffee Parts doesn't seem to list the old version of the steam valves that my machine has. Will I be able to find parts for the old valve locally? Or will I need to get the new valve unit as a complete unit?

Coffee Parts - Newer version
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11856[/ATTACH]

My machine seems to have this older version as shown on Espressoparts
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11854[/ATTACH]

I received some replacement parts from Coffee Parts. I ordered the replacement seals/gasket/spring parts used in the water inlet valves with the hope that they fitted my old steam valve. The seals and gaskets were fine, but the spring is quite different. My old spring is much shorter and stiffer. The water inlet valve spring wasn't closing the steam valve properly. The old spring is still fine so no problems there.

Old steam valve spring on top
New water inlet valve spring below

[sprezzatura]

Fine work, Mr. Tech.

[greencardigan]

Freezing then heating the OPV helped and I was able to release the thread. The thread was scaled up plus I think it had been over tightened.

Time to get it connected back up and see if the descaled pump can produce more than 3 bar pressure.

[greencardigan]

How are the internals? Spring and seal mechanism? Is the seal ringed-out and hard? Can we see an image of the seal face and the spring connected to it?

Internals of the OPV look ok. The seal was a bit gunky but is still soft and flexible.



I have the housing in the freezer and will try again to release.

[sprezzatura]

Or, you buy a new OPV from Pedro @ Coffee Parts. It's 3/8" or 1/4" BSB and discharges into the drain cup or tray.