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Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

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  • Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

    Seems the cam on the Bezzera Galatea needs frequent lubrication, particularly after back flushing with Cafetto EVO, the lube gets washed out during the flush and you can feel the harsh metal on metal grinding when the lever is operated, continued unlubed operation must hasten wear.
    I pulled the whole lever assy out the first few times I did the lube job but thats a bit of a pain in the rear end.
    What I do now is remove the mushroom, spring and valve, twist a small piece of cotton wool onto the end of a satay stick, like a long cotton bud, squeeze a small amount of Innox food grade grease onto the end of the cotton wool and carefully insert the cotton tip so that it contacts the cam, operate the lever a couple of times to spread the grease over the surface of the cam, remove the stick (and cotton wool) reassemble and Bobs yer uncle.
    The whole job from start to finish can be done in a couple of mins and is certainly much easier than pulling the complete assy apart.
    Have had no experience with other machines but imagine any using an E61 group would be able to be greased in a similar manner.

  • #2
    Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

    I dont or did not have that problem on my Galatea but I use Puly Caff Cleaner

    One only needs 1/4 of a teaspoon of detergent to do the job

    To grease you dont pull off the mushroom just big nut that secures the handle  
    That exposes the cam for greasing and you dont need to pull anything apart just leave it intact

    If you want me to talk you through it by phone you only need to ask

    KK

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

      Originally posted by 0A2E272724241E0A2E322C2E410 link=1276419113/1#1 date=1276420808
      I dont or did not have that problem on my Galatea but I use Puly Caff Cleaner

      One only needs 1/4 of a teaspoon of detergent to do the job

      To grease you dont pull off the mushroom just big nut that secures the handle  
      That exposes the cam for greasing and you dont need to pull anything apart just leave it intact

      If you want me to talk you through it by phone you only need to ask

      KK
      Thanks KK, As I said in my post have done the job as you describe a number of times, I found removing the mushroom quicker, simpler and just as effective.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

        Originally posted by 7C40495144250 link=1276419113/2#2 date=1276422628
        Thanks KK, As I said in my post have done the job as you describe a number of times, I found removing the mushroom quicker, simpler and just as effective
        Well if you want me to send you some Pully Caff to try it out
        I would be happy to post some to you

        KK

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

          What lube are you using..

          Lube is not lube... Oils aint Oils and neither is Grease, Grease... Depending on teh function one may suite and another may not.

          Many a user has found out the hard way - Vaseline is not Vicks and nor is it the other way round.

          PS. Vacuum grease is great.. Usually resistant to most cleaning compounds and still performs under pressure and acts as a lube for slow moving parts... Could be just what ya want..



          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

            Originally posted by 6A454C4E59664A454A4C4E464E455F2B0 link=1276419113/4#4 date=1276425131
            What lube are you using..
            Evening AM, as I said in my first post in this thread Im using (Innox food grade grease) High temp extreme pressure.
            Im not having a problem, in fact the exact opposite, started the post to let members know of what I feel is an easy method of carrying out a minor maintenance procedure.
            The Cafetto EVO seems to be doing an excellent job of back flushing so all is good.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

              Originally posted by 1E3A333330300A1E3A26383A550 link=1276419113/3#3 date=1276423173
              Originally posted by 7C40495144250 link=1276419113/2#2 date=1276422628
              Thanks KK, As I said in my post have done the job as you describe a number of times, I found removing the mushroom quicker, simpler and just as effective
              Well if you want me to send you some Pully Caff to try it out
              I would be happy to post some to you

              KK
              Thanks KK, Im pretty happy with the EVO, it does an excellent job of cleaning, not only back flushing but also cleans PFs and baskets very well.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                Originally posted by 605C554D58390 link=1276419113/6#6 date=1276429271
                Thanks KK, Im pretty happy with the EVO, it does an excellent job of cleaning, not only back flushing but also cleans PFs and baskets very well.
                The reason I offered the Pully Caff is for experimental reasons, because I had very little or nil cam squeak issues

                Try reducing the amount of EVO you use ?

                KK

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                  Ive never had the need to lube the Lever Cam. Basically, after a detergent back-flush I just pull a seasoning shot and everything is back to as smooth as could be. Ive checked the state of the surface of the Cam recently and after nearly 15 months of continuous use, theres not a mark on the Cam or the Valve Stem it actuates....

                  No need to make more work than is required or necessary....

                  Mal.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                    Same here with the Giotto Mal. The lever gets tight and "grindy" during the back flush process but goes back to normal after a seasoning shot.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                      Originally posted by 705D595558340 link=1276419113/8#8 date=1276436330
                      Ive never had the need to lube the Lever Cam. Basically, after a detergent back-flush I just pull a seasoning shot and everything is back to as smooth as could be. Ive checked the state of the surface of the Cam recently and after nearly 15 months of continuous use, theres not a mark on the Cam or the Valve Stem it actuates....

                      No need to make more work than is required or necessary....

                      Mal.
                      Have a read here Mal http://coffeetime.wikidot.com/e61-lubrication
                      I come from a mechanical background and have no doubt that lubrication of the cam will help prevent wear to the pins and cam[img][/img] and can certainly do no harm.

                      Here is an excerpt from the page,

                      (There are 3 culprits that contribute to cam follower (cam pins) wear
                      Backflushing With Cleaner

                      A backflush with cleaner gradually removes any lubrication from the group, over time this lack of lubrication wears the cam followers on the upper and lower valves (the inlet and preinfusion valve)….the cam being bronze not brass (or a harder alloy of brass), does not wear as much as the pins….but still wears a little. We are told that any stiffness of the lever will soon go as the coffee oils start lubricating the area again, but Coffee oil really is not that effective a lubricating agent…I used to think it was, but experience has taught me this is not the case. I backflush with cleaner every 2-4 weeks depending on use and on the taste/colour of the cooled water drawn from the group.)

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                        Originally posted by 39050C1401600 link=1276419113/5#5 date=1276429084
                        Originally posted by 6A454C4E59664A454A4C4E464E455F2B0 link=1276419113/4#4 date=1276425131
                        What lube are you using..
                        Evening AM, as I said in my first post in this thread Im using (Innox food grade grease) High temp extreme pressure.
                        Im not having a problem, in fact the exact opposite, started the post to let members know of what I feel is an easy method of carrying out a minor maintenance procedure.
                        The Cafetto EVO seems to be doing an excellent job of back flushing so all is good.  
                         
                        Got to say I have tube/s of that stuff all over teh place and tend to use in a few machines / equipment.. Forget the food grade...  It ticks all the other boxes for me as well  8-)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                          All fair enough Jon...

                          My background wasnt restricted to just electrical engineering as it happens....

                          I respect what others believe is required but I prefer to administer maintenance based on my monitoring the condition of the hardware being maintained and like I said, on my machine there isnt a single sign of wear and tear after 15 mths - and one seasoning shot returns everything back to normal. Nothing else is required.

                          Wear may be observable on the Valve Pin/Stem further on down the track and I believe that that is intended to be the case, rather than wear out the Cam which is Chrome Plated - Chrome being much harder than the brass from which the Pin/Stem is manufactured. No doubt, due to manufacturing tolerances et al, the Chrome Plating on the Cam may sometimes be of a lesser thickness than is preferred or required which in turn, can lead to premature wearing of the Cam Face.

                          So far though, mines looking pretty good so will stick with the current regime of maintenance being applied....

                          Mal.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                            Originally posted by 14393D313C500 link=1276419113/12#12 date=1276603236
                            My background wasnt restricted to just electrical engineering as it happens....
                            Wasnt suggesting otherwise Mal, simply conveying the fact that I also know a little about machinery.

                            Originally posted by 14393D313C500 link=1276419113/12#12 date=1276603236
                            I prefer to administer maintenance based on my monitoring the condition of the hardware being maintained  
                            My feelings exactly.

                            Originally posted by 14393D313C500 link=1276419113/12#12 date=1276603236
                            one seasoning shot returns everything back to normal.  
                            If I dont lubricate the cam I can still feel metal to metal a week later.

                            Originally posted by 14393D313C500 link=1276419113/12#12 date=1276603236
                            rather than wear out the Cam which is Chrome Plated
                            Ah ha, this may well be the difference, the cam in the Bezzera is either bronze or brass, I can certainly see how a chrome plated cam would wear the pins, however brass to brass keeps the surfaces a nice gold colour as well, fortunately the pin and cam assy look pretty easy to replace if and when the time comes.  

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Lubricating Bezzera E61 Cam.

                              Originally posted by 0E323B2336570 link=1276419113/13#13 date=1276610615
                              Ah ha, this may well be the difference, the cam in the Bezzera is either bronze or brass, I can certainly see how a chrome plated cam would wear the pins, however brass to brass keeps the surfaces a nice gold colour as well, fortunately the pin and cam assy look pretty easy to replace if and when the time comes.  
                              Absolutely Jon.... 8-)

                              And given that these components are also quite inexpensive, its almost a non-issue....

                              Cheers mate....

                              Mal.

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