Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

[flewis88]

You sound pretty handy so I won't try to micromanage your steps. When you remove the PTFE water tubes from the top of the steam boiler, have some size #007 o-rings to replace the ones that are there. They are only reliable for two-three years. Steam leaks cause all kinds of scary problems that have probably caused a large number of unnecessary binnings. Don't lose the wire clips that hold the tubes in their bosses. You don't need to re-apply the white silicone sealer they use to glue the boots to the bosses.

-Peter

I have a strange inkling that this isn't going to help the steam issue.....

Everything else looks in reasonable condition besides a little bit of espresso sitting on the drain from the group head

[pcrussell50]

Yep. You need a new steam ball valve. Those and 3-way solenoids and o-rings are regular replacement/maintenance items.

In your case, I would consider replacing that manifold that goes between the steam valve and the water outlet.

This video is a MUST for any BDB owner in that it highlights the gamut of standard leak paths in a neglected machine that should have had it's o-rings and steam ball valve replaced long ago.

https://youtu.be/eBk-i43Vr3o

And this one gives you an idea of what an o-ring job might look like:

https://youtu.be/LNZcCEMr7Z4

-Peter

[flewis88]

Yep. You need a new steam ball valve. Those and 3-way solenoids and o-rings are regular replacement/maintenance items.

In your case, I would consider replacing that manifold that goes between the steam valve and the water outlet.

This video is a MUST for any BDB owner in that it highlights the gamut of standard leak paths in a neglected machine that should have had it's o-rings and steam ball valve replaced long ago.

https://youtu.be/eBk-i43Vr3o

And this one gives you an idea of what an o-ring job might look like:

https://youtu.be/LNZcCEMr7Z4

-Peter

Awesome thank you so much!

I bypassed the ball valve and found the steam to be working, so I've just placed an order with Breville! $107 for the valve, the mount and the steam knob, so pretty happy with that!

The manifold is off being scrubbed at the moment and it's coming up pretty good. I pulled my first espresso shot on it and was pretty happy with the quality. Just gotta grab a handful of o rings

[howser999]

Hi All,

Im looking to either upgrade or reinvigorate my BDB (7 years and still going strongish!).

A few issues Im looking to rectify:

1. Replace OPV with brass unit - more preventative than anything else.
2. Stop the leak in the steam arm
3. Replace solenoid gasket
4. Maybe replace collar as sometimes the hand slips
5. Likely replace the pump while Im at the OPV

Soo question is - where do I find all these parts? Im a bit confused as there doesnt seem to be a definitive buying list...

Thanks!

[pcrussell50]

Awesome thank you so much!

I bypassed the ball valve and found the steam to be working, so I've just placed an order with Breville! $107 for the valve, the mount and the steam knob, so pretty happy with that!

The manifold is off being scrubbed at the moment and it's coming up pretty good. I pulled my first espresso shot on it and was pretty happy with the quality. Just gotta grab a handful of o rings

The larger o-rings around the probes rarely leak, so I haven't sized them out yet. but the smaller ones where the 4mm PTFE steam/water tubes go, work well with a size #007 o-ring. there has been a lot of debate as to which common material to use, silicone, Viton, or EPDM, as none seem quite exactly right studying the application charts. In the end, people have used them all and I haven't heard any complaints back about dissatisfaction. Me? I used silicone because that's what the local engineering supply had, and judging by the red-orange color, that may be what Breville used, too. I wouldn't knock myself out over it. Just get what you can, and keep an eye on it for durability.

It's great to help a guy who has a little knowledge and is willing to give it a go.

-Peter

[flewis88]

I wouldn't knock myself out over it. Just get what you can, and keep an eye on it for durability.

It's great to help a guy who has a little knowledge and is willing to give it a go.

-Peter

Cheers Peter. Conveniently I work quite a bit with o-rings (not silicone though) but we're outta stock of viton 007s, only have nylatron, but haven't read up on it's applicability. I think I've found a nearby supplier, so I'll scope that out!

[inorog]

Hi there,

As someone who just replaced the pump, the OPV (with a brass one) and the solenoid membrane, I can say this:

1. Replace OPV with brass unit - more preventative than anything else. <----- See Post #5403 above for gotchas and others.
2. Stop the leak in the steam arm
3. Replace solenoid gasket <----- Breville support line $12 (if I recall correctly)
4. Maybe replace collar as sometimes the hand slips <------ Mine was sold by a local repair shop ($12 or thereabouts) bought 2.
5. Likely replace the pump while Im at the OPV <- Ebay - get an Ulka EP5 (plastic) or EPX5 (brass) - recycle the temperature sensor.

Good luck and have fun - it's worth it.

[howser999]

Hi Inrog,

Thanks for the info!

What is on my buying list so far:

1. Ulka EX5 ($47.50 cheapest I could find)
2. OPV - thinking this one? https://www.coffeeparts.com.au/62040...p-bypass-valve
3. O rings - these: https://www.amazon.com/007-Silicone-.../dp/B000FN0WYG

Questions I have so far:

1. Assume the pump will simply screw into the bottom of the OPV?
2. The return to tank - how large is the pipe? this has a 5mm outlet.
3. Whats the purpose of the elbow - thinking with this OPV I wont need it?

Last question - should I also replace the solenoid, or just the gasket at the moment?

[inorog]

That doesn't look quite right. The OPV it is known to work with nearly no modification is this one: Expansion Valve E614.

(check this too:
*) https://www.home-barista.com/repairs...od-t43690.html
)

I will *strongly* advise you to make sure the length of the thread of the brass OPV is equal to the plastic one you're replacing.

The elbow adapter is what he could purchase at the time. I managed to get my hands on straight BSP-press-in adapter. Makes no difference, other than perhaps the elbow gives you slightly more leeway, the 4mm teflon tube may feel a tad taught on the straight press-in.

The 007 o-rings look ok... I don't think there's a right/wrong answer with them - Silicone or Vitton or whatever else: poteyto-potahto. As long as they withstand high temperatures - you're cooking (so to speak)

Regarding the solenoid: Have you got any troubles with it? If you do then change it, if you don't then leave it. It's actually a very easy to replace part at any time.

[inorog]

taught -> taut (stupid autocucumber)

[howser999]

Thanks again Inorog,

Ill go the expobar and see how I go!!

RE: solenoid - Ill leave it for now.

Will report back once done!

[pcrussell50]

(check this too:
*) https://www.home-barista.com/repairs...od-t43690.html
)

I will *strongly* advise you to make sure the length of the thread of the brass OPV is equal to the plastic one you're replacing.

The elbow adapter is what he could purchase at the time. I managed to get my hands on straight BSP-press-in adapter. Makes no difference, other than perhaps the elbow gives you slightly more leeway, the 4mm teflon tube may feel a tad taught on the straight press-in.

The 007 o-rings look ok... I don't think there's a right/wrong answer with them - Silicone or Vitton or whatever else: poteyto-potahto. As long as they withstand high temperatures - you're cooking (so to speak)

Regarding the solenoid: Have you got any troubles with it? If you do then change it, if you don't then leave it. It's actually a very easy to replace part at any time.

LOL, I contributed to that HB thread in that

In any event, even though my -900 (with -920 group), is working great (of course, I have kept up with routine maintenance by replacing o-rings, solenoid, and steam ball valve), and I have the stock plastic OPV set where I like it and it's working fine too, I have finally ordered up the parts to do the brass OPV mod anyway, just for the fun and bling of it. And your writeup of the process was part of my motivation. Thanks mate. I'll report back how it goes. Some parts are on backorder so I don't know when for sure I'll get to it.

I ordered an angled elbow, but now you have me wondering: Was there plenty of room to use the straight up and down connector you used?

Also, I ordered some spare 4mm PTFE tubing with the Breville ends on it, in longer lengths, so I don't have to cut off the properly fitted stock one. See I want to keep my machine easily reversible to stock, so that if everything goes to crap, I can take up the Breville USA offer for $350 to repair or replace, which includes post both ways to repair shop.

-Peter

[inorog]

LOL, I contributed to that HB thread in that

In any event, even though my -900 (with -920 group), is working great (of course, I have kept up with routine maintenance by replacing o-rings, solenoid, and steam ball valve), and I have the stock plastic OPV set where I like it and it's working fine too, I have finally ordered up the parts to do the brass OPV mod anyway, just for the fun and bling of it. And your writeup of the process was part of my motivation. Thanks mate. I'll report back how it goes. Some parts are on backorder so I don't know when for sure I'll get to it.

Hurray - I'm helping!!

I ordered an angled elbow, but now you have me wondering: Was there plenty of room to use the straight up and down connector you used?

Yeah - there's plenty of space, the tubing doesn't touch the top lid at all. As a matter of fact - I don't think that the brass OPV is any taller than the plastic one, once mounted. And you're in luck - I still have a straight press-in-to-BSP connector here as a spare (I bought 2):

Also, I ordered some spare 4mm PTFE tubing with the Breville ends on it, in longer lengths, so I don't have to cut off the properly fitted stock one.

Good thinking, Batman!

See I want to keep my machine easily reversible to stock, so that if everything goes to crap, I can take up the Breville USA offer for $350 to repair or replace, which includes post both ways to repair shop.
-Peter

Ahm, a noble endeavour.

However - it's unlikely that you'll need to do that once you've sorted these niggling things out.

[pcrussell50]

However - it's unlikely that you'll need to do that once you've sorted these niggling things out.

What's been niggling me lately is the foreboding sense that Breville is setting up to abandon the BDB. It's been nearly four years since the -920 was released, and up until fairly recently, commonly replaced service items like steam ball valves were generally pretty available. Now, the ball valves appear to be considerably less so. Also, there used to be a slew of other replacement parts out there that you would rarely if ever need and now they are almost all listed as "obsolete, no longer available". Of course, it's no big deal if you never need them, but I take it as a sign that Breville might be getting ready to abandon the BDB, with no known replacement. And I don't want to have to buy the Oracle Touch, whose grinder I would probably never use, just to get the commercial grade, BDB temperature stability. For now, the solenoids still seem widely available, and the o-rings are off the shelf items that we are not reliant on Breville for... Same with the Ulka pumps, which are in no danger of short supply either. But I bought a spare steam ball valve and solenoid and stashed them away for future use. So I am probably good to go for a while. Now, if Breville had some kind of all new BDB in the process, that would at least be something... But I haven't heard of it if they have...

-Peter

[inorog]

Eh, with the stash of spares you've got, if you get 10 years out of an appliance - I think that's pretty good for a "consumer level" unit.