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Dribbling Gaggia Classic

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  • Dennis
    replied
    Re: Dribbling Gaggia Classic

    Thats great news sluggo!

    Leave a comment:


  • sluggo33x
    replied
    Re: Dribbling Gaggia Classic

    It turns out the steam valve assembly is a sealed unit (thanks Gaggia) and the individual components can be changed... So $26 and a new steam valve assembly later and shes good as gold. Just made 3 espressos and not a single drop of water from the wand!!

    Im back in business.

    Cheers again!

    Leave a comment:


  • cremakid
    Guest replied
    Re: Dribbling Gaggia Classic


    Make sure you have a good recommended detergent from Gaggia for backflushing.
    Although I and many other CSers regularly backflush our Classics, Gaggia do not recommend it. So I guess they wont recommend a product to do it with.

    Most of the site sponsors have products for this purpose.

    Leave a comment:


  • sluggo33x
    replied
    Re: Dribbling Gaggia Classic

    Now that is a comprehensive reply... CHEERS!!!

    Ye, approx 50ml whilst warming sounds about right. It tends to dribble quicker while pouring a shot... could that be the extra back pressure venting out the wand?

    I make 2-3 espressos a day.

    I backflush approx once a month using Cafetto espresso clean (from coffeeparts). I have never descaled the machine in the 12 months or so since i bought it. Im not 100% on the procedure either.

    I use filtered tap water.

    I might actually take the machine to coffeeparts as they are local to me.

    Cheers!

    Leave a comment:


  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: Dribbling Gaggia Classic

    Yello Sluggo.

    I have a Gaggia Classic. THe dripping is somewhat normal.

    You say about 50ml over a 20min.period ?

    If its dribbling alot when totally shut then thats an issue.

    Ive modified a few gaggias in the past and noticed similar issues.

    You may have an issue with your overflow valve. If your not totally familiar

    with doing fixes then i would not touch it.

    Try the basics first as listed below, if it doesnt change anything then you need

    to have your machine looked at.

    I had blocked the overflow valve in a lower end gaggia espresso and the

    result was lots of dripping on the steam wand end because the water

    had nowhere else to go. Similarily the Classic OPV acts the same way.

    If its full of buildup then you will have issues.

    However, I was willing to put up with it because it improved the shot quality.

    Your OPV valve in the CLASSIC might not be functioning properly.

    #1) when did you last descale your boiler?

    #2) when did you last backflush your machine?

    #3) have you tested your local water/what kind of water do you use? distilled?,ro?,etc.

    To avoid a lot of issues a regular cleaning schedule is required. ie. scale 1 every 2mths.

    Backflush once a month or week...up to you. In your case id say once a week since

    you are experiencing issues.

    My educated guess: Replacement $50.00+- for the OPV. Your looking at

    about 1/2hr to 1hr labour MAX if required.

    Im almost 100% sure its not your seals but the cleaning regime will confirm this.

    If anything, get a good descale solution recommended for your gaggia.

    I assume you know the routine of descaling. In your case let it sit for 24hours+-

    and then turn on your machine the next day and purge through your steam wand

    and the grouphead. Then shut off the machine. Let it sit again for about 4hours and

    repeat. Then flush it all out with clean water and do your backflush cleaning routine.

    Make sure you have a good recommended detergent from gaggia for backflushing.

    This might fix your issue.


    ps. Ive seen a lot of machines with locked steam valves due to buildup issues where
    no water whatsoever comes out. Those machines were abused. Leaking is more
    likely excessive pressure. I cant see the steam valve not shutting properly all its
    own without some buildup blockage issue.




    Leave a comment:


  • Dennis
    replied
    Re: Dribbling Gaggia Classic

    Hi sluggo and welcome to CS!

    The gaggia does have a seated valve assembly that is similar to a normal tap, though a lot smaller and with more components.

    Take a look at the following link from Site Sponsor, Coffee Parts and give them a call - very helpful people who can walk you through the repair and send out the parts required pronto!

    http://www.coffeeparts.com/gaggia/gag3.html

    Leave a comment:


  • sluggo33x
    started a topic Dribbling Gaggia Classic

    Dribbling Gaggia Classic

    Hi All,

    My Gaggia Classic is dribbling from the steam wand whenever the machine is turned on. While the machine is warming, say 20 minutes, there is enough dribble to fill 1/5 of a cup. Even with the steam valve/knob fully tight.

    It also continues to dribble while pouring a shot.

    I pulled it apart yesterday and couldnt see how to get to the tap valve. It seems fully sealed. All visible o-rings look in tact.

    Any suggestions before i fork over $ for a repairer?
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