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  • Leaking around portafilter

    Hey guys,

    I need some advice.

    Ive had fun with my Silvia/Rocky combination for a good 10+ months now. Ive noticed a problem that I have water that appears to leak around the portafilter when Im making a shot.

    Ive waited this long, because I thought it was me. Ive tried different beans, different grind coarseness, different tamping pressure, differing amounts of coffee ground in the double basket - Ive cleaned the portafilter, Ive cleaned everything! Ive even tried variable angles at which to leave the portafilter handle as I make the shot.

    However, I find that most of my shots still have this problem to varying degrees. Does anyone have an opinion? Is it still me?

    Thanks.



  • #2
    Re: Leaking around portafilter

    Im guessing the seal is cracked.
    Depending on how often you use it and how long its turned on will determine how long it takes before it needs replacement.

    It was 10 months on my Expobar and Pedro from Coffee Parts says 6 months is vaerage for home users because their machines are not left on 24/7 like commercial machines.

    The heating and cooling deteriorates them.

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    • #3
      Re: Leaking around portafilter

      Thanks for the input.

      I would believe that but its been happening since day 1, which is why I thought it was me.

      How can I tell if the seal is cracked anyway?

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      • #4
        Re: Leaking around portafilter

        If your Silvia is 10 months old then it should still be under warranty - why not let the retailer sort it out for you?

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        • #5
          Re: Leaking around portafilter

          Before blaming it on the seal, are you locking in your PF tightly enough? If you are overdosing, you will find it impossible to lock in the PF to seal properly. Dont be afraid to lock in the PF real tight, such that the PF handle is about the 5 oclock position (when looking from the top). If you have a blind filter, you can also check if its the seal or something else. With the blind filter, if you lock it in really tight and it still leaks, you could be looking at a broken seal, but if there is no leak within 5 seconds, dont keep the pump running...

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          • #6
            Re: Leaking around portafilter

            I get small leaks with my Silvia about every 2 weeks, this is my warning to get out the cafetto, backflush and give everything a good scrubbing.

            Only a tiny ammount of coffee/oil residue is required to cause a leak.

            Get a moist "chux" stretch it over the top of your PF and insert and twist it. This will give the group seal a clean, and if it comes of dirty, youll know you need to step up your cleaning routine.

            I have a small scrubbing brush that I use to clean the seal after every shot and sometimes do the aforementioned chux-shuffle.
            The PF wiggle is also useful: run hot water from the group over the top of your PF, insert and wiggle it around so that water spills between the group and the top of the PF....Then repeat.
            I try and backflush without chemicals every second day and fortnightly with cafetto.

            Try out NTEs idea as well, if its not a residue issue, it may well be be a faulty seal.

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            • #7
              Re: Leaking around portafilter

              Reubster, thats quite a cleaning regime youve got. Best to err on the safe side I guess.

              But Im not sure whether cleaning the group seal with a scrubbing brush after every shot is necessary. It may even be damaging if the bristles are hard enough.

              I wet a chux rag, scrunch it up and press it into the seal area and wipe.

              Once in a while you will need to remove the shower screen and clean that along with the diffuser and the group. Thats easily done with a scrubbing brush and water alone, or detergents if you prefer.

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              • #8
                Re: Leaking around portafilter

                The only time I get leakage on my Silvia is if I overdose her, its a fine line and easily crossed!!!

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