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Hi, since this is a thermoblock machine I don't think it would benefit from a PID. It does not have the same achievable temperature stability.

Yep it can function very well. It’s sort of unforgiving, so make sure to have a good grinder and good technique

Thank you, I was lucky to buy one in NEW condition, 23 years in storage, never used. Just few accessories missing, still haven't test coffee as waiting for basket.

Hello, she uses a 58mm basket size. The portafilter has offset ears, I think it is identical in fitment to the Gaggia classic. I used a Gaggia bottomless with this machine, so you can use that for reference. Hope this helps!

Could be hydrolocked due to an air bubble in the pump. The best way to force water into the pump as its trying to run. Try taking the intake hose off and injecting water into it with a syringe with the pump running. This primes it and gets it running again.

Im actually not sure. I repaired this for a friend a few years ago, I cant recall if there was an extra hose. I didn't do any modification that I can remember...

The purpose of this video was to show that the unit was working, as I had it posted for sale, and I was able to send the link to this video to potential interested buyers. I apologize that the video added no value to your day.

Hey Jason it’s a 53mm portafilter.

The clint eastwood of home baristas

I Agree! I hate to think how many sweet old appliances and gadgets are just rusting away somewhere

Hey! Not sure about the heat concern. This was mainly a quick repair to get the guy going again. That being said, On higher end espresso machines, the spades are usually insulated. Sometimes this makes the insulation a bit brittle, but never melts. The temp is never that high outside of the boiler/heat block. I just used cheap automotive heat shrink. I think that should do for most applications. I have had that melt before, but that was because I was using a wire that wasn't the proper gauge.

Good point, yeah that would make a mess

It ended up working fine for years. The ball was in fine condition. The pump was relatively new.

Does your lady have the button that clicks in, or the button that you have to hold until it heats up to steam temperature?

@@gpereir4 it has the one that you have to keep holding (doesn't click) until it reaches steaming pressure.

@@TheMartinChnnl Thats what mine was as well. If you hold it longer, you should get more pressure I guess. You can also try getting a steam tip different size/configuration of holes that could help maximize your pressure. If I remember correctly, my lady would be very powerful at first, but the steam wouldn’t last very long.

It’s actually a wand from an earlier generation Rancilio Silvia. It’s very easy to replace, just one nut that you loosen with a wrench, pull the old wand out, slide the nut on the new wand, and replace. Very common mod, and a relatively cheap part.

@@gpereir4 Thanks for the reply! I was looking at buying one of these dirt cheap on ebay, and my main concerns were the quality of the steam wand and the lack of adjustable opv. Do you know how high the pump pressure runs as stock? Thanks again

@@benjebobhone3620 No problem! The stock pressure of these pumps can be as high as 15 bar without any sort of pressure regulation, usually they need to be toned down in some way to get closer to 9 or lower bar.

So glad it was helpful! You are very welcome.

Hi Allan, I'm glad the video was helpful for you! I'm unsure what knobs you are referring to. Does this mean you weren't able to properly fasten the outlet onto the rest of the pump?

@@gpereir4 The knobs I'm referring to.....after you remove the two screws from the housing, then you open the valve, the white plastic valve is held together by the two pimple type knobs one on each side of the white valve ......you have to turn the valve shaft then slide one part away from the other in order to open it up........I noticed on the table there was two little smaller than a bee-bee ......laying on the table so I was wondering what they were... then I noticed it is part of the lock mechanism on the valve as you turn them in opposite directions in order to open it up........putting all this aside Geoffrey do you know of any links , for the Saeco magic comfort Plus Redesign machine that sells any of the parts?

You're very welcome! Glad I could help you get your pump going again. I rely on RUclips to get through many repairs, I'm glad I could add to the community in a small way!

Hey Tom, the wand is from the Rancilio Silvia V1/2. Its the non-balljoint wand from the earlier models. It is a perfect plug and play fit!

@@gpereir4 Amazing! Really appreciate that! Just ordered one, is there anything else you'd recommend that I can that isn't too intrusive on the machine? Currently have a VST basket and IMS screen. Thanks

@@TomHenstridge Those are wicked awesome upgrades. I think you've got a pretty great machine there. What grinder are you using with it? I'm sure you know the importance of the grinder if you've done enough research to get the IMS screen and VST basket! The only other thing I would do if you plan to steam a lot of milk is a bit controversial. On mine, I disabled (bypassed) the steam thermostat so that it would never shut the element off while steaming for maximum power. The only caveat here being that once you are finished steaming, you have to be conscious to shut it off right away so as not to have it overheat. It completely transforms the ability of the machine to help you produce good milk texture.

Check the thermoblock connections like I dd in this video. The machine I repaired here would heat up enough to make the coffee, but didn't have enough heat to steam. You could have the same problem as in the video.

@@gpereir4 i had to descale it about five times and run it for a few hours to finally get it cleaned out. Thank you! Now I have steam :)

@@DerekSpeareDSD Ah! Glad to hear you got the problem resolved. Scale can cause so many problems!

Does it make the on/off pumping sound when in steam mode?

@@gpereir4 steaming mode - nothing happened, except boiler is heating

@@abracogrande834 Sounds like there may be a problem with the board or the connections to the board. Can you see a missing wire?

@@gpereir4 Sorry for late reply, just an update to the repair of Cafe Roma, we fixed the faulty board, replace the two IC, the ones controlling the steaming function. FYI Many thanks again

@@abracogrande834 No problem, glad you got the machine working again!

Yes absolutely. There is a lot of plastic in this machine, in very close contact to the thermoblock. All the water lines are PFTE plastic as well instead of copper tubing.

@@gpereir4 Thank you for getting back to me! That’s a shame, would you still recommend this machine?

@@Spade193 I wouldn't get one new. Used, maybe, but I wouldn't be buying a new one. There are much better new options, even from Breville. What's your budget range?

@@gpereir4 Thank you I appreciate your input! I was thinking to maybe go with the Breville Barista Express. Do you have any thoughts on that one?

@@Spade193 That is a pretty good machine, I actually had one that I purchased used for a while. Worked very well!

Hey Jason! Yeah actually, my machine came with the original paper manual. What info are you looking to find out?

I just bought one at a thrift store filled it up and plugged it in. Lit up for 3-5 min then lights out. I unplugged it as soon as the lights went out. Curious if there is a fuse. Perhaps I cooked the boiler. Didn't seem like any pumps were moving water.

@@jasonsatherofmarvsatherrea4276 Yeah there are no fuses in the machine at all. Possible you cooked the element, or maybe a wire blew. Have you been able to get it working?

I've seen very few of these around. Do you know what size portafilter it takes?

@@joshelliott7178 It takes a 53mm portafilter, similar to some Saeco machines. Yes, they seem rare!

Thanks!

Hi I’m not certain, but it could be a defective thermostat or it could be the heating element itself. Good luck with the fix

Hello 👋 i have the same issue with mine. Were you able to fix it? I appreciate your reply.

Hi! Glad this video helped you get your pump back together. Way to go on the repair!

You're very welcome, glad It was helpful. Thanks for the compliment! I hope you get your pump back in working order

Where I am, the pump is about 40$. It’s not a huge expense, but at the time of making the video, I was a student, and money was tight. I also like taking things apart and fixing things, and I was able to get the machine up and running again for zero dollars. I was very glad at the time not to have to buy a whole new pump. I made the video as I was working on the pump in hopes that it might help someone who wanted to fix theirs, or just provide others with a look inside the mechanism. Thanks, take care also!

Don't think there was any stress at all. Rather, someone being resourceful and not sending things to the landfill which can easily be repaired. Please point me in the direction where I can order one for 16€. The average rate I've found including shipping is around $50. There's plenty of other things I'd rather spend $50 bucks on besides an easily fixable ulka pump. But we do agree it's a good video none the less.

This is a great machine, I think you are going to enjoy using it. It works very well for its age. I always used the deep basket with about max 14g of coffee. Give it a good clean, and enjoy it. Let me know if you have any more specific questions, I still have mine even though my main machine is the Synchronika, and I still have the original Betsy manual! Good luck!

Thank you for the response! I have yet to receive it, I will reach out if anything comes up! Appreciate you :) I am wondering about how to use the buttons and how long do you have it pull? Thanks again!

I am also a total newbie to home espresso!

I received my machine! Enjoying it! I would appreciate any tips and trick son how to get that beautiful crema though, please and thank you.

@@carriboulanger406 Hi! Sorry I didnt see your previous note. The buttons are as follows: Top one is power, middle one is to heat up to steam temp, and the third one down is the pump switch for pulling the shot. A typical shot should pull anywhere from 28 to 34 seconds I would say, and your yield should be between 1 and 2 ounces of espresso. Beautiful crema typically comes from getting the grind setting just right, such that your shot falls within the correct timing. If the shot pulls too fast, the crema will be thin, and if it runs for too long, the crema will be nonexistent. Another important factor is using fresh coffee beans. Do you have an espresso grinder that you are using?

Yes very tough indeed. I used to keep a few spares on hand for my Silvia, but the pump never died!

I don't think you can. The stock one doesn't have a typical connection that would allow you to swap in a ball joint.

I actually cut the pressurized portion of the basket off using a dremel, exposing the proper bottom of the basket. So effectively, yes!

I am not sure what else you could try. I don't really have much experience troubleshooting PCB boards. I guess just check that the switch connection is operating properly. You could check the terminals at the pump under steam mode to see if there is voltage being pulsed to the pump? Other than that, not sure what to check!

@@gpereir4 Thanks for the reply. I checked both Micro Switchs for water and steam, looks both working properly. Under brewing mode (switching to right side), the pump is supplied 120V AC from right switch and heating is controlled by the rear Thermostat (98C). Under steam mode (switching to left side), the pump is supplied less and regulated voltage from PCB through white wire (M connection) and heating is controlled by the front Thermostat (140C). I'll further check and figure out how the PCB works and find the reason of no voltage output under steam mode.

@@patricklee9443 Bizarre! Let me know what you find out about this one.

@@gpereir4 I got a PCB from a broken Breville Cafe Roma and replaced my board, now it works properly. When switched to left side (steaming), a slow pumping sound could be heard and steam comes out from wand as normal. I checked the voltage from PCB to the pump through the right side micro switch and it shows around 5V (previously only got 1.6V which maybe too low to push the pump piston to move). So glad to make it works again. Thanks for your help.

@@patricklee9443 That's very weird! Glad you got it to work, kept it out of the junkyard!

I am not familiar with that model, sorry!

Hi Geoff, thanks for your help. Do you think I should install a PID? What is your take on PID?

I never thought about that, it makes total sense! Thanks for the insight