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Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

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  • Javaphile
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Try flushing the boiler and getting fresh water in there.

    Java "Back to the future days of Steam Power!" phile

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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Now for an update
    Ive fitted my new modified steam arm and have run into the same difficulties as others with the 4 hole tip. Why they sell this useless tip has be mistified....anyway today I picked a up 2 hole tip sooooo much better but need more pratice as I still cant get microfoam as good as I could with my classic.....yet....

    Now I need some help.
    After my machine rebuild I still have a slight metallic after taste to what ever I steam.

    Any recommendations on how to get rid of this? I though it would have disappeared by now....but I havent really been using it much lately due to being unable to steam correctly, but nows that all changing. especially with Christmas so close

    Cheers
    Craig A

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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Well I just brazed up the new tip onto my steam wand, cant wait to get home 2 give it a go.
    If it works I clean it up and have it replated.



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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Well my ducted air con project @ home is complete so I can pull my shots in comfort all year round now so back into my project Bezzera.

    It been up and running now for a couple of weeks the espresso fine but I havent been able to stream my milk right no matter what I do and I pretty sure it tip releated.

    FC. I think you maybe right about it being a very worn original fitting but its completly unrecoverable.

    Due the age of my machine my style of steam wand in no longer available, so heres the plan, pickup current style steam want, cut the end off and put in on my current wand...should do the trick. Picked up a doner wand this morning.

    Im also fitting a drain to my drip tray, fittings shown in pic as well. I know its petty but I hate having to empty the tray. I also plan on converting it to a plumbed unit later down the track as well.

    Cheers
    Craig A

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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Hi All

    Been flat out at work :-[ and installing a mother of a ducted air con at home so time on the machine has been limited.

    Its all back together and operational, Yesterday I check the brew pressure with one of those pressure gauge PFs and it ok and consistant 9.5Bar.

    As for taste Im still flushing out the unit, I have a funny taste from the Hotwater/steam (Boiler)......
    Brew is ok. A result of cleaning.
    I pulled a couple of shots and all seams ok, still got to dial my grinder in to suit etc, not much time lately.

    SO the flushing will continue until the bad taste has gone.

    More later
    Cheers,
    Craig

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  • Sparky
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Craig, I think youve really raised that machine from the dead. How does the coffee taste from it? I found a huge difference going from my PIDed Classic to the BZ35. From push buttom simplicity, I had to find a flush routine that worked. Im still trying to get my machine operating in the sweet spot.

    Great work.

    Mark.

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  • Fresh_Coffee
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Craig,

    re "........it doesnt come off just a single hole at the bottom .....May have to look at modify it to something decent, I MUST have micro foam......

    Is that not a removable nipple / nozzle at the end of the pipe? It would have to be pretty unusual for it not to be Sometimes the nozzle and the union it screws into on the pipe are rubbed (by operators that wont be told NOT to use scourers) smooth down to a point where they look like a single piece. But if you put a small shifter on the end of the nozzle & turn, you might be surprised. During manufacture they also use a good dollop of loktite and the first time you remove them they are usually extremely tight. There after they just seem to "fall off". We prefer plumbers tape to loktite in that application.

    In any case it always takes time to get used to a new set up, different steam capacity, steam pressure and design of nozzle etc requirng a modification to your existing technique, so Id suggest giving it some time before changing something that might be perfectly good as is.

    Regardz,
    FC.

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  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Excellent job Craig,

    Also, a good series of "work in progress" pics too [smiley=thumbsup.gif]. I bet youre hanging out for that first drinkable brew ,

    Mal.

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  • wattgn
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Craig:

    Steam wands are easily replaceable about $60 for the unit so if you need to replace your wand I would ask Jack what a suitable one might be. Anyway, it might surprise you and produce good foam.

    Interesting about a remodelled BZ-40P. Theyre pretty conservative these italians when it comes to updating the models.

    Interesting what you say about the ECM. I have heard it does have sphagetti innards but I havent had a look myself. Plastic tubing is OK on cold water only lines but not on anything hot or pressurised.

    Roll on Bezzera.

    Grant

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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Originally posted by wattgn link=1129810367/30#31 date=1130989272
    Craig:

    Yours looks like it has a circumcised steam tip or has it been removed? (it is illegal to do this unless you are a rabbi anyway).
    No it must be the old type or modified in the past it doesnt come off just a single hole at the bottom

    May have to look at modify it to something decent, I MUST have micro foam......

    Nice setup....Bezzera is soon releasing a new remodelled BZ-40 with those ball joint type moveable steam and hot water wands. Also heard they are to release an E61 group type machine too.

    A couple days ago I also saw the insides of an ECM unit. Not impressed at all, looks like they spent all the money on the group casting and flashy case and filled it with crap - all plastic tube, plastic fitting, not a quality part in sight, I wont even consider one now.

    Craig A

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  • wattgn
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Craig:

    Yours looks like it has a circumcised steam tip or has it been removed? (it is illegal to do this unless you are a rabbi anyway).



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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    And from the Front.

    Been running a lot of blank shots thur flushing it out etc. now I have to roast some coffee to put thur it.

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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    And from the back

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  • HV_MAN
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Ive finally got it all back together [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]


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  • robusto
    replied
    Re: Bezzera BZ-40 rebuild

    Great restoration job, Craig, and very satisfying too, I bet, especially having a new-looking frame on which to hang the other fruits of your labour.

    Perhaps in the distant future grown boys with toys and lots of spanners will turn to restoring coffee machines. With parts sourced from the numerous local coffee machine wreckers yards.

    Cheaper, much quicker, cleaner and more do-able than the 56 Pontiac rusting out the back (in my dreams, that is).
    Good work.

    Robusto

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