How To Replace the Vibration Pump on Expobar Brewtus and Office Lever
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Learn how to replace a vibration pump on Expobar Brewtus and Office Lever semi-automatic espresso machines. Todd from wholelattelove.com shows you how in this very detailed video.
All aspects are covered from removing the outer cover to replacing the pump to adjusting brew pressure of your new pump. Also covered: Kit with all parts needed for a pump replacement, differences between older and newer models, plumbed and reservoir machines and components like the deairator.
Expobar Vibration Pump Kit: www.wholelatte...
You guys should sell the swivel versions of those elbows. I had to replace mine, it was leaking, and you guys were out of stock, so I took it off, measured it, and bought it on McMaster, the swivel version is way better.
After performing the steps outlined in the pump test video I determined I needed a new pump. I was always worried about what I would do when the time came for some maintenance beyond the basics.. After watching this video I determined I could probably handle this myself. So I ordered the parts and the girl I spoke to wanted to make sure I was confident I knew what was involved.Informed her I watched Todd's video. I got my tablet out, and paused every step of the way. I took my time and it wasn't at all hard. If not for this video I would never have attempted this and likely spent far more than the $80 for the parts at a shop that is 75 miles from me. These videos are one of the reasons Whole Latte Love is my go to place for my espresso needs. Thanks guys.
On a side note with the blank disc in I am getting 12 bars. I do need to dial that back to 10 correct? Thanks again.
Hi Nick, That's awesome and you are welcome!!! And yes dial back to 10bar.
Thanks for letting us and others know that DIY is possible. We are on a mission to provide the best support in the business.
Well that was pretty easy. My somewhat aged Office Lever wasn't producing espresso and crema like it used to. Both my wife and I noticed lack of flavor. I don't have a brew head pressure gauge on my machine so I built one. Pump was only putting out 8 bar and the pressure adjustment had no effect. Replacing the pump changed all that. Back to 10 bar and pressure adjustment screw works. Had to change the grinder setting to be much finer. Crema is back.
Hi, Sorry I'm not responding sooner was offline for a couple days for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing your experience! Happy to hear you got the crema back!!!
Siempre los sigo, tienen muchos tips importantes
I have an expobar that has no pressure meter. I dont know how to determine if the pressure is at 10 bar. Can you have anyway to do So
Hi joe, One option is a tool like this portafilter mounted pressure gauge: www.wholelattelove.com/products/brewpressureportafiltergauge
If your Expobar has an E61 group there are pressure gauges which fit in the access hole on the group.
Hi
If the mashine is returning to much water to the reservoire with the backflush disk in, could it mean the opv is stuck?
I already changed the pump but not the opv
My pump starts working a bit after raising the lever, the more the machine is on without using it, more it last till start working. Its a pump problem? Replacing it will resolve it?
Hi RM, Well, no guarantees but does sound like pump is struggling. Vibe pums are relatively cheap and easy to replace so I'd start there.
@@Wholelattelovepage Ordered one yesterday for about 20€ here in Spain. Apreciate the help, your videos are amazing, thanks from "across the pond" hehe
I thank you guys enough. I've had my office leveler for over 16 years, and you guys have saved me so much money. I love all your videos. Your guys is company is the best.....
I noticed about the pumps are different,original one is ULKA EAX5 /52W ,new pump that replaced is EX5/41W, which one will be better suitable for this machine？
Sincere congratulations, Todd! It is a pleasure to see that the owner of the store really knows what he sells and can disassemble a machine into a basic components! :)) Please, share if you had participated with Expobar R&D Department in design and engineering of Brewtus from the beginning or you had contribution only in the last version IV? When the first Brewtus model had been introduced in the US market and do you have public statistic which model of Brewtus is most widely spread in US market? Thank you for your time!
+Petar Rusev The Brewtus was Todd's idea. In a phone call with Expobar he suggested they make a dual boiler machine. He does not recall the exact year it was first available. He just emailed Expobar to ask the year so we'll let you know on that. This year the IV with rotary pump has been the most popular model outselling the non-plumbed vibration pump 2:1 and plumbable vib pump 1.5:1. Sorry no easily obtainable data for since available sales.
thx from the Netherlands
You're welcome! Thanks for the comment!!!
The OPV on my Brewtus IV cannot be adjusted-the screw stucks- was never used - there is also a hindering clip before. Any ideas ? By the way I suppose more water than normal is drained into the drip tray.
Hi ED, The extra water in the drip tray is either water bypassed from the OPV (most likely) or leaking from the E61 group. You can try to free up the OPV adjustment or replace.
Thank you very much, I succeeded and could adjust the brew pressure. Still water is bypassing into the drip tray when pump is working.
The group head is not leaking. Could a faulty air relief valve also cause bypassing ? Can this part be adjusted as well? There is a screw and an asymmetric spring .Change all 3 parts as suggested?
Love you all at WLL! Best wishes from Austria-Styria
@@erharddinges8855 Thanks for the love! Happy to hear you were able to adjust brew pressure! Unfortunately I do no have a Bretus in front of me at the moment. I think the best course is to carefully run the machine with the cover off and trace the water entering the drip tray back to the source.
Could order all three parts in Gemany, hope it will work.
Post Repair Notes: Replacing the components was not difficult, though space was more cramped with my double broiler. Oddly the old deairator and OPV components had a few spots of hardened liquid on them similar to crystallized sap. Old sealant? And over the years the plastic tie wraps around the insulation on the boilers became brittle and broke to the touch. One unforeseen issue that I ran into was that the pump would not draw water from the reservoir, requiring me to manually prime the pump. Without having anything that would mate up to the pump’s water line properly this turned out to be the toughest and wettest part of the whole operation. In hindsight, perhaps prior to connecting the tubing to the pump I should have initially siphoned water through it…
Hi ARS, Thanks for sharing your repair notes! I'm sure they will be of benefit to others!
Whole Latte Love
Thanks this was extremely helpful! Just replaced my 13 year old pump on my expobar.
Great to hear!
Many thanks for posting this video. I've just replaced my pump today and if it hadn't been for this video there is no chance I would have been able to do it !
Hi Lindsay, You are welcome - good for you on taking on the project!
I'm new to this stuff but I am learning so much. I know this video needs to be short to keep it entertaining, but not being prepared for it makes the process of a fix as perfect as the Grind and extraction of a good espresso. I was concerned about the detachment of screws and like making a good espresso, there are small screw trays which can be used to avoid confusion. But then again, does WLL sell them too when a domestique like me needs to repair a machine?
Thanks for the comment!
We do not carry screw trays. Try places like Harbor Freight have inexpensive magnet trays for holding screws.
Hi, I have the office coffee machine with PID, my espresso comes out with little cream, I set the pump to 10 bar, but when I extract the coffee, it is difficult to reach that pressure and the milk does not foam (the machine is new)
Hi Karen, I'll need more info to help. What coffee are you using? Are you grinding fresh right before brewing? In most cases it's about the coffee. If it's a known good coffee then probably about the grind. If not reaching a good pressure during brewing the grind needs to be finer and or dose higher.
I have a leak at the plastic tubing connector to the boiler. I need a video showing me How do I replace the flimsy connector that attaches the poly tube.
Same here. I could barely fit vice grips to unscrew a mm at a time. I have a Expobar office Leva and it is slightly different than newer models that you just push down where tubing connects and pull tube out. Off to the hardware store to replace tubing.
Any idea what this noise is caused by? Any help greatly appreciated! It's an Office Leva E61. ruclips.net/video/xGf7q5D-LX8/видео.html
Hi Pim, Just shared your video with our tech support staff. Difficult to say for sure but one thought is broken pump mounts and pump is rattling against something.
@@Wholelattelovepage cool, thanks! I also found this: ruclips.net/video/eefIxV0lnuU/видео.html&lc=z232sbyavtbsjptyi04t1aokglno50fezxrtfh234r4zbk0h00410.1556822088784349&feature=em-comments
More possibilities... Our lead service tech believes it's the OPV. That makes some sense as the nasty sound begins after pressure builds up. This video: ruclips.net/video/kEl-uNOC1P4/видео.html Takes you thru the basic functions of the OPV and de-airetor. Also takes you thru a how to do a flow rate test to check pump performance.
Marc
Hello!
I have Bezzera Unica and it with a vibrating pump, please tell me if it is possible to change the vibrating pump into a rotary pump, is there any instruction for this?
Hi, Unlikely a rotary pump would fit in the machine.
Я имею в виду, если роторный насос не установлен внутри машины, а снаружи.?
I mean, if the rotary pump is not installed inside the machine, but outside.?
I guess it's possible, but not something we have ever done.
Can this pump be replaced with a rotary pump?
Hi Luke, Which machine do you have? Let me know and I'll get you an answer.
Hi Luke, FYI the vibration pump in the Expobar Brewtus or Expobar Office Lever can be replaced with a rotary pump. Here's a link to our support wiki which has a pdf file that outlines the process: wiki.wholelattelove.com/Expobar_Brewtus_IV#Rotary_Pump_Conversion
I have the non plumbed, reservoir only version of this machine and my vibration pump needs replacing. Is there any benefit to replace it with the rotary pump instead. I will not be converting to plumbing it in and keep using the reservoir only. Do you think it’s worth upgrading to the rotary pump or better to just stick with replacing with another vibration pump?
Hi Martin, Thanks for the question. If me, I'd stick with the vibration pump. I've never tried replacing vib w/rotary but suspect you could run into some issues trying that.
Marc
Just replaced my pump and OPV with the use of this video. Thanks for making it!
Nice work! You are welcome and thanks for leaving your comment!!!
Todd and Mark - thank you for these really helpful vids and how-to's. I just replaced mine with your kit and it works flawlessly (again). Also, pass on my thanks to Tracy who found my support emails and dived in to help me figure out what was going on. Great customer service. One caveat to this and the other vid to test pressure - there are models (mine included) of Office Lever Plus that didn't come with a pressure gauge, so alternate methods to measure/test pressure would be appreciated, thanks again!
Hi Bill, You are welcome for the videos and thanks for your comment! I will pass on your thanks to Tracy. We do have a portafilter mounted pressure gauge to test brew pressure here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/brewpressureportafiltergauge
Marc
you all prolly dont give a damn but does someone know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account?
I somehow lost my login password. I would appreciate any help you can give me!
@Fernando Chase instablaster :)
@Lian Ian I really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Lian Ian it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my ass !
great video
Richard Werbin Hi Richard, Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks again, my third or fourth pump on this thing and the videos help make it easy!
Hi Alex, You are welcome! And, thank you for taking a moment to leave a comment.
What are the symptoms of the OPV on the way out ?
Hi MF, Not reaching proper brew pressure and/or inability to adjust OPV to show 10 bar static pressure.
Marc
I just opened up my Brewtus to do this repair however I was surprised to see that the all of the stainless steel on the inside was coated with laser-film. If I'm correct, isn't that just a protective adhesive Polyethylene film that was originally on the stainless steel but can now be removed? It has in places already peeled off on its own as well as having melted where it touched upon the top of the boiler.
Hi ARS, Yes, the laser film is just for protection. Can be removed.
@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you for the very prompt reply. I appreciate it.
Hi WWL! I wonder where is the second brew boiler of Brewtus being serviced by Todd? Is it necessary to remove it, before the pump replacement? And my second question is what is the silver plane metal on the top of the boiler? I read somewhere that this is a magnet, but I would like to learn more! Thank you for your time!
Hi WWL! Did I burden you with my question or you decided to quit this discussion? :-)
+Petar Rusev Not at all! Just answered you about the magnet. Not sure what you're asking about the second brew boiler?
+Whole Latte Love I just thought that Todd work on Brewtus while he worked out in single boiler machine. It is Ok.
Hi WWL guys! Sorry for the question about the missing boiler! It was one of the most stupid questions in whole universe! :)) But please, explain what is the purpose of this magnet plate at the top of the boiler? BTW, I have a look inside of a machine bought by a friend if mine a couple of weeks ago and there was no such magnet plate at the top of the brew boiler. Is it possible that vendor do not supply the machines anymore with this magnet plate and why? Thank you for your time! :)
+Petar Rusev Will ask Todd about the magnet plate as not sure exactly what you are referring too.
+Petar Rusev Hi Petar, The magnet's purpose is to trap minerals in water as they flow through the pipe it surrounds. We are skeptical as to its effectiveness in this regard. We don't think it's needed. Better to just filter water properly in the first place.
Heads Up! Shot 2 videos yesterday with Todd. In one, we compares the 4 machine in the Expobar Office line. In another we compare the Rocket R58, Profitec Pro 700 and Expobar Brewtus IV R Plus. Videos should be up early next week.
+Whole Latte Love Great news! I will stay tuned for the videos!😃 Please, confirm that even with vibration pump version of Brewtus IV really can produce an amazing shot of espresso! And I think it is time to show this fact in a video! 😃 Also, please, reply on the following opinion read on some forums. So, some can say that due to the fact that S/HW boiler in tha Brewtus is the same of the Leva (the same HX tube size) this could overheat the water in the brew boiler if the pressurestat is set to 1.3 bar for faster steaming.. Is that correct and if yes, what is the recommended pressure to be set? Thank you!
+Petar Rusev Brewtus with vib pump can definitely produce excellent espresso - of course it takes some skill on the part of a user! Think I've mentioned it before, but some users like the vib pump better because it ramps up pressure as compared to rotary pump. Also, all Expobar machines have a special modification to the E61 with a cavity above the shower screen that fills before pressure applies to the coffee. This also functions as pre-infusion allowing the puck to wet before feeling brew pressure as water drips through screen. As far as overheating, if doing many rapid shots back to back there is that potential. We generally would not go to 1.3 bar. With a properly sized steam tip it's not needed.
+Whole Latte Love In this context the skills you mentioned is the same skills required from the user if he is being working on the same machine but wi rotary pump, right? Nothing more special skills, OK? What pressure do you suggest to be set?
BTW, one more academically question regarding the thermal mass, please. So, can we assert that if the brew copper boiler has 0.8 L volume but is thick and weighs for example 5kg would have equal thermal mass (thermal stability during espresso shot) to a 1.5 L copper brew boiler which weighs 2. 5 kg?
And finally, does the brass is more expensive than copper? Some users claim that can feel the metallic taste in the cup due to copper while from brass boiler brewed espresso they do not feel that metal taste. If this is correct I wonder why the world brand of commercial machines like Rancilio (xCelcius is my favouritr model) still producing copper, but not brass boilers? Your opinion is much appreciated! 😀