Good morning!
I am in the process of rebulding my Europiccola which I began this morning. My main task for today is to get stuck into removing the rust from the base, which has accumulated over the last 7-8 years.
Is there anyone that I can get La Pavoni seals from in Melbourne? I'm also after the boiler element seal that seems to be glued onto the boiler mounting ring (in righthand corner of the photo, attached) Any thoughts on how this is attached? Would be grateful for any advice on this - thanks.
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La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Hi guys,
Which town are coffeeparts in?
Who does La Pavoni parts in Melbourne?
Never played with anything like this before,
may need some hands on advice...
Ta
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Some pics of my recent LaPav clean and complete re-seal just for interests sake. I was a bit slack with what I photographed. Its an easy project for the reasonably tehnical minded.
Top: Inside of the boiler, looking up, just because I think it looks cool. Some lime scale was cleaned up.
Middle: Inside of base - I removed all parts and cleaned up the rust.
Bottom: The main piston had masses of gunk on it from the previous owner, here its clean, but you can see visible wear on the bottom gasket. I used food grade silicon stuff on the seals, the same as I use for my home brew kegs. WD - used only for the rusty parts in the base!
NB: I have the single steam wand tip, though I did start to get used to the three hole one. Also, have the temp stickers from previous owner although they seem not to work anymore.



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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Hi all, first post
Re polishing chrome.
I have a lot to learn about the bean, but can help you with the polisihing (Im a Stainless Steel Fabrication Tafe teacher). For hand polishing "shine brite" is a great product that will remove fine marks, even swirl marks. If the machine is disasembled using a cotton polishing mop and green rouge on a staight grinder or bench grinder with a tapered spindle will give you a fantastic finish. finishing off, 3M make a great product called "Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish" which will help stop finger prints appearing on any metal surfaces. Foodsafe as well!
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Is that likely to alter water flow through the puck? I was annoyed by the loose basket at first, but now Im just used to working around it.Originally posted by 222F242E2F383925242E284A0 link=1330111116/13#13 date=1337417072Re. keeping the basket in the portafiller, I used a centre punch to put three "dimples" (from the inside of the basket)
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Re. keeping the basket in the portafiller, I used a centre punch to put three "dimples" (from the inside of the basket) and the basket now fits snug. If you stuff it up, you can always buy a new basket (in fact almost any La Pavoni part) from coffeemachineparts.net.au
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Autosol is great for chrome, particularly if applied with a micro fiber cloth. Obviously you will use it on the outside of the machine, where it wont come in contact with your brewing surfaces. I have used it for years. You should find it online somewhere.Dont use it on plastic, or screen printed graphics though. Silvo if Im not mistaken, do contain micro abrasive material, a bit like Brasso. It will shine up the chrome but may leave very fine scratches/ brush marks... Apologies if your question had already been answered.
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
For those who may eventually need to replace old La Pav heating elements:
http://www.francescoceccarelli.eu/La_Pavoni/Faidate/riparazione_resistenza_eng.htm
which links to this page:
http://www.francescoceccarelli.eu/La_Pavoni/Faidate/ep_pressostato_eng.htm
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
New elements are not easily retrofitted to older Pavonis, as the modern ones have a bolt-on flange as opposed to a screw thread. In this case you also have to change the brass ring which secures the boiler to the base, and it gets time consuming and expensive.
Also Im of the opinion that the dual-switch Pavonis are the best to use- you have maximum pressure for steam at the touch of a button, but you can also let the machine idle on the 200W element which slows down the overheating problem when brewing.
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Whoa, bit of a misunderstanding here - I use WD40 to clean the base and outside of the machine, doesnt go anywhere near the seals/gaskets/pins/piston etc.Originally posted by 5C71657778797E77516456716475100 link=1330111116/5#5 date=1331117831WD40 is not food safe, Id recommend using another product
Orphan espresso has all required food safe lubricants on their website.
Another mod I have heard of is replacing the heat element with the newer design if it fails. ALso some like including a pressure gauge or wiring in a p-stat like the millenium europiccolas.
Good website: http://www.francescoceccarelli.eu/lapavoni_drpavoni_eng.htm
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
I have to appologise for not taking pics, though this week Im house/baby sitting my fiencees little sisters so I wasnt able to do much documentation.
What I have found rebuilding my 1970s europiccola is that it had only been recently rebuild as a seals were still in great condition.
The problem was the coffee it produced wasnt quite right... So I had naturally assumed a rebuild was in order. I was correct in my assumption as new as the seals were.. The person that previously rebuilt it had used mechanical grease not a food safe grease...... So now the taste is far superior! I removed as much of the old seals and grease as I could with the limits of my temporary work shop and gave it a good descale.
First shot after flushing was a completely different cup to what it was producing! So Im a much happier person now =)
I will take photos because I still need to reprint the base and remove its rust. Also I want to put a new switch on it from a newer model but that can wait.
Now I finally know why people rave about there machines!
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
I have to say the best thing I have done is put a single hole steam tip on! Finally I can create microfoam again!
Rebuild kit is at the post office!
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
One of the best things I did for my Europiccola was the hot shot temp sticker from Orphan Espresso. Makes judging when the group is up to temperature much much easier.
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
WD40 is not food safe, Id recommend using another product
Inox MX3 is one product that I would suggest using instead.
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Re: La Pavoni Europiccola Rebuild
Is wd40 foodsafe? Ive read that people just use kitchen oil or food grade grease for moving parts.
You can get official replacement parts from coffeeparts sponsor. They are pretty quick to send parts and very affordable.
My pavoni can do the twist when its been heated up. As in the whole tank can move left and right. I think i should of replaced all of the seals instead of just the grouphead seals lol.
When you remove the seal in between the grouphead and portafilter you will prolly need to cut through it. Be a bit patient with it.
And descale it while you are going through the trouble of rebuilding it. Maybe the rubber smell will go out with it.
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