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Sunbeam EM 6910 - leaking around group handle - collar obviously

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  • #16
    Sorry not sure what lugs on the group head look like?? Yep saw the collar replacement guide - hoping I can squeeze a few more years out of this without having to do that - would probably buy fully automatic machine before I did that! Compared to some pics of damaged collars - I don't think mine is that bad just yet

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    • #17
      He is talking about the lugs on the Portafilter, (P/F.)
      your collar looks heaps better than the one on my machine, it is not new, but I doubt that will matter, doubling up the gasket you made should do the trick.

      robin

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      • #18
        Hooray! no more leaks

        Ah ok thaks Robin So I finally put the machine back together - instead of just the one thin shim/spacer, I added a much thicker one made from cardboard from a biscuit box (like a cereal box). Had to trim them down twice to get them to fit but they fit in the end. Then fitted the new seal - probably did the trick as well and screwed in the shower screens.

        I've just made 2 cups of decaf using illy pre-ground(for espresso) beans. The first shot was with a hard tamp and I nearly choked the machine - came out slower than usual and the pressure gauge went beyond the target zone but not into the red. Was a little bitter but a great extraction compared to my other shots. The second cup I tamped a lot lighter, and still the pressure gauge went beyond the target zone, but the shot wasn't as bitter. And no leaks! AND the group handle now stops at 6 o'clock - never done that since I've had it! Oh, and the puck was all wet, but there wasn't much coffee stuck to the screen - is that good?

        Looking at other pics of group heads, I'm pretty happy with mine, given it's age and probable lack of care. Collar is worn but could be worse - on the whole I am counting my lucky stars that I stumbled onto this machine Maybe that is what people mean when they say the earlier models are better (Robin?) Moreso happy with all the help and advice everyone has given me Like I said, better than Sunbeam. I wonder how many professional repairers check this site for info?

        So now I need to get a good grinder - but I think I will just make do with pre-ground beans from suppliers whose grinders are good enough until I am back home in June - then I'll look into getting one.

        I guess I will take it all apart again in a few months? Maybe cut and fit some new shims?

        Thanks again all - I am so pleased!

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        • #19
          Originally posted by latte1978 View Post
          Tried my new grinder (cheap chinese model but at least burr and not blade) and need to tamp a lot harder than with the illy ground stuff - barely any crema but only tried a few cups and need to mess around with the tamp and dose a bit more. With a hard tamp, the gauge goes right to the sweet spot and you can taste the full extraction although there is a little bitterness - some would just call this 'bite' though I guess. Does having to tamp quite hard mean the grind is still too coarse? I have maxed out the grinder fineness...but as I said it is a cheap chinese model.

          I watched some Merlo extraction videos and it looks literally like liquid gold - I wonder if the EM6910 is even capable of this with the right beans, grind etc?
          Even using a SB 480 / 500 grinder (about $A200) you can get the kind of extraction you want IF the beans are fresh and good quality.

          Originally posted by latte1978 View Post

          So now I need to get a good grinder - but I think I will just make do with pre-ground beans from suppliers whose grinders are good enough until I am back home in June - then I'll look into getting one.

          I guess I will take it all apart again in a few months? Maybe cut and fit some new shims?

          Thanks again all - I am so pleased!
          Your existing grinder probably needs pallbearers more than shims, your call.

          Knowing where you are / where you are going (city / country, not full address) may help - there are CS'r's all over the planet that could have spare gear you can try - I know I do.

          TampIt

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          • #20
            Ah yes sorry I mean take apart the EM6910 and clean and replace the shims - not the grinder which I am sure needs pallbearers! Currently in China and live in Bris - I think I'll invest in a SB or Breville reasonable grinder when I get home in June

            Is a wet puck bad news?

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            • #21
              Not necessarily. How does it taste.
              Sometimes I have a "dry" puck, sometimes not.

              Did you find or make a spacer, I see site sponsor "coffee parts" has them, under $1.00 each, in 0.5, and 0.8mm thicknesses.
              Mine is ID 58, OD 73, 0.8 thick.
              Theres are slightly different but will still be fine.

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              • #22
                I made the spacer - it's actually 2 different ones - one from a manilla folder that is slightly thinner than most manilla folders - the second is cut from a box that held biscuits - so similar in thickness to a cereal box.

                Have been getting some great results - can't wait to try with real fresh coffee beans and a better grinder!

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                • #23
                  Just thought I'd point out that the EM6910 is generally selling for under $400 now - what a bargain! Also means I would not bother replacing anything on it worth more that $50 or so - just not worth it when you can get a whole new machine for that price Still cranking out great lattes

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