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Rocket Giotto Dispensing Time Lag

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  • #16
    Yea, but I have seen what you guys do to modify cars, so I reckon you could get some of those guys to fix a leaky boiler, or even make it a stainless replacement.

    I drive your national car- proton arena (jumbuck here), Evo 3 front end and turbo 2 litre engine.

    I think the delay issue is probably the main board.

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    • #17
      Thanks Jackster. Might make it a longer-term restoration project.
      In the meantime considering getting a Breville BES920. As an old fart now, maybe can't taste the difference in the cup anyway. Only 7 years from the Giotto is a trifle disappointing.

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      • #18
        Originally posted by AndyShak View Post
        Only 7 years from the Giotto is a trifle disappointing.
        Yeah, it is but an extremely rare occurrence just the same.
        Have you conducted any testing on the water you use? It may be slightly acidic...

        Mal.

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        • #19
          Originally posted by Dimal View Post
          Yeah, it is but an extremely rare occurrence just the same.
          Have you conducted any testing on the water you use? It may be slightly acidic...

          Mal.
          Haven't checked the acidity. Have been told though that Penang water is not noted for hardness. Even so, we have been using an Everpure MH2 cartridge filter (supposed to reduce scale buildup in coffee machines), water is then boiled (extra cautious but most seem to do that here), and finally the Brita jug filter we brought over from Oz (only cos we had a bunch of cartridges which have now all been used up). As a result, the Giotto inline filter is quite clean! This seems to be a production/welding issue and we are probably just unlucky. Reassuring to hear this is unusual.

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          • #20
            Probably still worthwhile checking the pH of your local supply; it would aid the decision of whether to repair or replace and then formulate a plan on what to do if you replace the machine altogether. I think the BES-920 uses s/s boilers but I'm not sure of the grade...

            Mal.

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            • #21
              Thanks Mal.
              Pulled out the boiler. Can't believe that nearly all the fittings were loose and leaking. Almost hand tight. Well the advertising says "built by hand"! The badly corroded fitting near the bottom is stuck and might have to stay. The copper tank will buckle before the thread loosens. Might soak in some sort of acid for a while to try and loosen.
              If this is ever reassembled, is there any sort of thread seal/locker that is recommended? I have a tube of "Loxeal" (for gas and water fittings) but wonder if this is 'food grade'. Love this feedback. Thanks.
              Attached Files

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              • #22
                Thread tape is used by many. I like it because it maybe providing a anti corrosion layer between the 2 parts.

                Hold that fitting in a vice and rock the boiler abit Turing to get a bit of movement there. Try CRC, try it after descaling. All that corrosion will be all through the threads, but the fitting will be as loose as the rest once you get the corrosion moving.

                Not that difficult to cut it off and drill it out, fitting is very soft

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                • #23
                  Haha. Heat gun on the tank, then ice block on the stud. Came off like a dream. Teflon tape then. Thanks.

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                  • #24
                    Actually, Loxeal is much better to use and is food safe if you grab the correct one. Bunnings and others sell it...

                    Mal.

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                    • #25
                      I have the loxeal, and it is good. I couldn't find it anywhere here. But it is good if you can find it.

                      There should be a equivalent Loctite product, but I don't know what that might be...

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by Jackster View Post

                        There should be a equivalent Loctite product, but I don't know what that might be...
                        Loctite 577. Works well in this application.
                        Last edited by Lyrebird; 17 April 2019, 08:14 PM.

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by Jackster View Post
                          I have the loxeal, and it is good. I couldn't find it anywhere here. But it is good if you can find it.

                          There should be a equivalent Loctite product, but I don't know what that might be...
                          I love Loxeal. Quick update. Drove all around Penang and nobody either could or would weld the boiler. Fully understand. Pressure vessels are tricky and you need a special licence in Oz. And it should be pressure tested after. Can get a new boiler here for RM1350 (AUD450), by the way. Soooooo. Cleaned it up (well it looks like new). Reassembled everything (using Loxeal) , put all the old components in as still trying to get a pump, switch and control box. Getting parts for anything in Penang and even KL is a problem, especially if you say it is DIY (they just laugh usually). Fired it up. The pump was chattering away happily for quite a while, then the lights went out. All of them. My guess is the pump finally crashed and somehow tripped the earth leakage relay. Now waiting for the parts. Back to the Bialetti!

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                          • #28
                            Grrr, that sucks.
                            Did you need to disconnect element, or manually fill boiler before turning it on?

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                            • #29
                              Not really. The new pump was on it's way anyway. Might get here on the weekend. Couriers here are cheap and fast. RM10 (AUD3) to send parts from KL to Penang; a 4 hour drive. And disconnected the element before turning on. Read that some people exchange with a rotary pump, but don't know how to do that. Maybe a future project.

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                              • #30
                                Originally posted by Caffeinator View Post
                                The logical places to look are: pump microswitch, control board and pump. Not unusual to replace any or all in machines of this age.
                                Thanks everyone. All finished. Replaced Pump, Microswitch, Control Box, Anti-vacuum valve, Expansion Valve, Group head kit with ceramic mushroom. Surprise, surprise. Everything works a treat. As for the boiler, the 'leak' (really just a hint of a weep) remains and we wait for the inevitable. Who knows when. My guess is at least another 7 years. Great learning experience and thanks to this forum.
                                Andrew
                                Attached Files

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