I bought a pressure gauge for my portafilter and am having leaking issues. I thought this would be a breeze to setup, but am now feeling pretty stupid. The gauge came with a connector for the portafilter, a gasket and mesh. My portafilter is a standard e61 for vbm (jnr hx machine ). I put the mesh in first and then the gasket, screwed that onto my portafilter. then screwed the gauge into that attachment. I used a light threadlock for the gauge thread. I put my double basket into the portafilter and then locked the handle in place. when i turn on the pump, no pressure seems to build on the gauge (or the machine pump gauge) and it is leaking from the portafilter (up where the basket contacts the grouphead gasket). I loosened the connection to the portafilter, thinking maybe i overtightened, but then it leaks there too. I took out the mesh, thinking maybe that was restricting flow to the gauge, but didnt seem to get any better result. Am i being an idiot? what have i done wrong here?



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Universal Grouphead Pressure Gauge install issues
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I got one to work OK just using an ordinary filter basket (no mesh). I used some teflon tape where I screwed the gauge & adaptor to the bottom of the PF. I wonder if the problem is the 'mesh' not sealing in the GH like a normal basket does. Why did you put the mesh in under the gasket? Surely that would be the cause of your leak and lack of pressure. Can you post a pic of this 'mesh'.
I read if you are testing the pressure of a vibe pump machine you should also use a 'bleed' valve in parallel to the gauge and adjust the bleed to the same flow rate as when making a coffee. I bought a needle valve to do this and have ordered a 3/8" threaded "T " so I can check / adjust the operating pressure of my BFC Junior +.
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Sorry I did not fully read your post properly. Perhaps after you took the mesh out perhaps the GH gasket is no longer sealing properly? Is it working OK say when you are making a coffee? Loosening the connection between the PF and the gauge will certainly cause a leak.
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I was trying to attach pics and they were taking to long to load... But, the mesh goes into the gauge connector. i havent changed anything with the grouphead etc. The gauge came in two pieces (in the picture above its already connected), the gauge and the silver connector that screws onto the portafilter. Its in that silver connector that i put the provided mesh and then rubber gasket
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Now I understand. Presumably the mesh is to protect the gauge. Think Noidle is right about not using the basket. My memory failed me. I remember someone on CS who fitted the gauge into a spare blind filter (drilling a hole) and using it with a naked PF
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You have to do it without a basket installed. The leak you are experiencing is actually where the underside of the basket contacts the upper edge of the portafilter body.
The edge of your portafilter needs to be smooth and undamaged to seal properly, you may also need to add a spacer under the group seal to enable it to tighten enough if you find the portafilter is going all the way to the right without sealing.
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Just to check I can confirm what Noidle advised. Tried it out again this morning. The PF I adapted is an old solid brass one with a smooth rim without any real imperfections so it seals great without a basket and gives a reliable reading on the gauge. With a basket installed it gives slight leak consistent with what Noidle advised. My apologies for my previous bum steer.
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