E61 Brew Group Rebuild Kits are available here in Simple, Moderate and Major versions: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/maintenance-packages We had a lot of requests and are happy to make them available!
Hi! Thanks for doing all of those very informal and detailed videos, they helped me immensely in understanding how my machine works. The e61 brew group kits seem out of stock at the moment. Do you have an idea as to when they will be again? I just yesterday opened my machine after finding a small leak due to my t-shaped plastic piece being cracked and now I feel like i should also do a bigger maintenance on my machine since it's now been almost two years. Thank you so much!
I know this is an old video, but what a gem! I just bought a brand new Lelit Mara X, and in few months I will be installing a flow control on it, and in 12 or so months I will service it like this for the first time! Amazing tutorial, saving this gold for later when the time comes, but now I know how the E61 works in detail!❤
Videos like this increase the value of RUclips as a whole. Other suggestions were like watching a guy spitting water into another guy 🤦🏻. Thank you so much
It's always a good idea to let a technician explain technical issues. Another technician understands him on-the-fly, because he´s ineloquent and always matter-of-facty. Thank you very much for this great video. It was most helpful.
Can always count on Whole Latte Love for the most helpful video! If I was in the US, they're the one I will support. Thanks so much for this video. I remember the first time I tried doing this 3 years ago, I hit a problem which I couldn't figure out and took me a long time to wiggle the thing in. It was the reassembly process for the cam switch thingy. When I found this video, i thought of giving it another shot, and what do you know, I got through it all like a pro. THANK YOU!!
The video was vital. I had rinsed my Profitec Drive with Cafiza and her lever had stiffened quite a bit. The problem is not the disassembly, but the reassembly: the camshaft did not fit into its housing. The solution was to dismantle the water drain at the bottom, to lower the infusion valve, insert the camshaft and screw it back in, reinserting the valve below. I broke out in a cold sweat, but I'm happy now!
Hi f, Thanks for the comment and sharing your experience. Gotta be careful not to overdue the backflushing with Cafiza. Do plain water backflushes at anytime but limit backflushing with Cafiza to every 120 brew cycles. Overdoing the Cafiza removes lubrication from internal components.
@@Wholelattelovepage Yes, you are right, Cafiza is really strong and should be used sparingly. Now the lever is soft, but above all I avoided premature wear of the camshaft, as I heard it squealing with every coffee. Thanks again for your videos!
Thank you! Followed this video to replace all the gaskets and valves in my mom's machine's grouphead and now it's back to heating up properly again. You guys have the best videos on how to service your machines.
Thank you so much for this great video. Without this tutorial, I would not have had the courage to do this maintenance work myself and I would have had to take the machine in for service. That would have cost me a lot of time and effort. You guys are great.
Brian & Mark, thanks so much for this presentation, you guys are the best. The lever on my Crem One 2BRP-GSP was creaking and stiff on closing, particularly after cleaning, so followed your tutorial, took my time, followed the steps, sparingly used a quality lubricant and WOW. What a difference, now operating smoothly and easily. If anyone is thinking their machine needs this service - do it, you won't regret it, get the right tools, be patient, take your time. I'm only 12 months into my coffee journey and Whole Latte Love have taught me so much with no confusion, just simple real world advice. Many thanks to you all, from The Land Downunder.
Videos like this increase the value of RUclips as a whole. Other suggestions were like watching a guy spitting water onto another guy's face 🤦🏻. Thank you so much and please keep up the good work. It would be great to see you do this on commercial machines too
Thank you guys for the absolute perfect video tutorial for this. I recently just got a 2 year old Rocket Mozzafiato Evo R, and had the squeaky lever. This completely fixed that, also was nice to get to know E61 a little better.
Just wanted to say thanks for the video, I had an issue with the portafilter holding water and next to nothing coming out the exhaust. I followed this and replaced the mushroom o-ring and it's working perfectly again
Such a clear and well presented video. Really gives me faith to get an EcM machine knowing that it is well supported. How often and how to tell that the machine needs such maintenance?
Hi jz, Thanks for the comment. In typical home use frequency is 6-12 months. Chances are you will not be needing full rebuild. Tell tale signs are performance issues or squeaks when operating lever which indicates need fro lubrication.
Brian, kudos. Excellent organization and presentation. Thank you. I've watched a number of other videos, but this is the best I've seen: straightforward, not high-falutin' and super helpful in overcoming concerns about undertaking a rebuild After watching, I understand the relationship of the parts and their purpose.Again, many thanks for this lucid treatment!
Hi Team from Whole Latte Love! Great Video as always, really digging the recent additions on maintenance and servicing videos to the channel. My La Scala Butterfly (Probably a mid-2000s Model) leaked on the Group Lever and since I took it over by my step dad last year, I thought it would be the right time to give it a thorough overhaul. Backed up by your detailed instruction video, I went ahead with a full group head maintenance, exchanging all seals and valves. So far so good, no leaking at any point of the group anymore. However, the group head does not seem to release pressure through the lower end as it used to. I do get a couple of drips, yet I feel the pressure releasing when I take off the portafilter and find a substantial amount of water on the top of the puck. I have disassembled and reassembled several times, and as far as I can tell from your video, I put it together correctly. Any suggestions about how I might be able to fix the issue? Regards from Austria!!
My machine does the exact sam thing now! Did you find a way to fix it? No pressure in the bottom, all the pressure in the portafilter group head. And a pool of water on top of the puck. Hope you can enlighten me. Thanks from Søren, Denmark
This is a fantastic video; as most are. I have a squeaky lever so I am following the steps in the video to lubricate and change gaskets if required. I am finding it difficult space wise, and a bit apprehensive about slippage or damage, using two adjustable wrenches to open up the lever, so I purchased two open end wrenches at 24mm and 26mm (sizes quoted in another video by others - I hope those sizes are universal for E61 groups… ) They arrive later this week.
@@Wholelattelovepage Update: Well, one of the wrenches (24mm) arrived today, and it does not fit (too big on the smaller nut.). So, I guess the other video I watched where the 24 and 26mm sizes were mentioned for the lever nuts, means the nut sizes are not universal. I have sent an email to ECM to ask what wrench sizes to use for removal those two lever parts.
Update 2: OK, final update on this. I heard back from ECM Customer Service in Germany and they advised the size of the open end wrenches for the Synchronika brew lever removal are 22mm and 26mm. I checked with my two newly-purchased wrenches today, and confirm those are the sizes that fit the nuts.
Thanks so much for this great video! The lever on my Profitec Pro 500 needs lubing after nearly every backflush with Cafiza. I carefully reviewed this video before taking the E61 apart and lubricating it. Everything went well, thanks to the tips in the video.
Hi Dennis, You are welcome and thank you for taking a moment to leave a comment. Not unusual to have some squeaking after backflushing with Cafiza until coffee oils naturally re-lubricate. Excessive squeaking may be an indication you're backflushing to frequently with Cafiza. Profitec recommends backflushing with detergent like Cafiza every 120 brew cycles or so. You can back flush without detergent as much as you like
Pro tip.... crescent wrenches are meant to turn in the direction the adjustable jaw points. Provides grip and leverage without the risk of slipping. You help the wrench 180° off.
Just serviced my rocket Mozzafiato, and when I put everything back together I had water coming out of all the wrong places 😅 Turned out I misplaced a seal and one of these brass things, thanks to this video I could find out what was wrong. Typical case of „I’ve done it once I know what I’m dong“ lol
Great video. I did this yesterday to my ECM technika IV. the kit I ordered a couple of the parts seemed a little different from the ones I pulled out of my machine. one in particular at the bottom end of the lower sleeve assembly. Part Number 35 on the exploded part list. Mine the stem was a triangle and the new part was a rectangle. it didn't seem to fit so I cleaned up the old part best I could. put it all back to gather and everything seemed fine. the only think I noticed right away was the cam leaver seemed a little loose. I woke up this morning to a massive puddle on my kitchen floor. water is flowing through the bottom of the lower sleeve. I can only assume it has something to do with the part I didn't fully replace. When ordering the kit to rebuild the group head I couldn't find one that said it was specific to ECM. Unfortunately I tried whole latte love but some of the parts were on back order. I had to get the kit from somewhere else. If my machine wasn't in bad need of the rebuild I probably could have waited. any ideas what I can do to stop the constant flow of water out the bottom of the group head?
Important Note: I recently performed E61 Group Maintenance on my Profitec Drive. During REASSEMBLY, I noticed the valve tips for the mushroom valve and the lower end rotate when you are tightening them into place after the service. So, you need to be sure that the tips of the upper and lower valves are PERPENDICULAR to the head (kidney) on the lever camshaft or you will not be able to insert the camshaft. After servicing the machine, I loosely reinstalled the mushroom valve and the lower end so I could adjust/align the position of the valve tips with a needle nose plier to accommodate the head/kidney on the lever camshaft. Once the camshaft was properly inserted, I torqued up on the assembly and then went back to the mushroom valve (top) and the lower end. The final step was to check for leaks as indicated in Brian's and Mark's video.
Great video! Thanks team! I’ve got a 2 year old Mozzafiato which I’m now going to do it’s first service but it’s been making dolphin noises for a while. Odd from new?! Should I try swapping the springs as you’ve said? Thanks
Haven’t touched my Profitec Pro 500 in 6 years. Only descaling and cleaning. 8-12 shots a day in our house. Works fine, no leaks. I should go through it, though.
@@paulferreira8342 i have a 6 year old Profitec pro 500 too. Had to replace the rubber seal between the heating element and the boiler, because it was leaking. It was rubber, but looked and felt like a piece of coal :D. So, find a gasket and replace that one too, it is about to go probably :). But other than that, i do the same: descale every 2 months or so (soft water) and the boiler was completely devoid of calcium buildup when I took out the heating element. The portafilter ring goes every so often, it is just always hot and abused. Just breaks if you take it out at some point :).
My 2 group commercial Wega used in a restaurant is developing issues after 25 years of use (and I was lackadaisical about back flushing.) Obviously a different machine but the group heads are solenoid controlled E-61. Filter gaskets need replacing regularly but even the screens are still good.
Super helpful! Very happy you put this video online. Could you help me with the size o-rings in the flow controle part, the black ones that need a bit of lubrication and wear quite a bit. Measured them and think it is 9mm, but not sure as also 8,5mm is a common size.
Hi g, I do not have the dimensions but here is our part number for the flow control o-rings: PRO-P1025.1 If in the US you can order from us using that part number and calling: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
I am so thankful for these types of videos! I was wondering if you guys could do a video using the ECM synchronika discussing with your technician how to properly descale the Synchronika and other dual boiler espresso machines.
Hi Phil, Thanks for the request. When our techs get a dual boiler in need of descaling they almost always remove the boilers from the machine for descaling. As you might imagine it's a rather involved process and beyond the skill level of most home users. A more normal descaling like those for single or HX boiler machines is a bit risky on a DB machine. In some DB machines it's difficult to fully empty boilers of descaler acids. But the bigger problem is scale particles breaking free during descaling and plugging up other components in the more complex hydraulic systems of DB machines. This is why machine manufacturers recommend professional descaling of DBs. Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage thank you for your reply. I appreciate your explanation. I have read recently about how DB espresso machines essentially require a full deconstruction to properly descale. I wish it were something that if not advised to complete would at a minimum be discussed by technicians in the industry...maybe not so much as a how-to per say (especially if that poses risk for companies *disclaimer necessary I'd assume*)...but I guess if it couldn't be a how-to...at least a technical breakdown of exactly why a consumer should absolutely NOT descale on their own. I understand the fact that particles can break off, but maybe a cutaway model describing how home descaling can damage a machine, would be at the least highly educational for the viewers and might discourage people from performing the maintenance on their own. I also understand using proper water can essentially eliminate this issue per se...however I just recently bought my first espresso machine, the ECM synchronika....such a large purchase I intend to take care of...I hope to keep using it some 30 years from now if at all possible... lol, but even 30 years of proper water, I would assume eventually would cause a need to descale...and that is why such a video would be awesome to have. Thank you for your consideration and taking the time to read the comment.
Many videos claim that the brew lever/cam shaft cannot be re-inserted incorrectly. They are wrong. You must replace the cam in the same orientation as when you removed it (I suggest with the lever half up). But if one manages to reinsert the cam even at 90 degrees off, you will not be able to lift the brew handle when you re-assemble, though you CAN re assemble.
This video is great. I have a Rocket Apartamento and have had zero problems in five years and I only ever backflush...until recently. It is holding too much water in the basket and I have to push the lever down after a shot and harder to get all of the water to exit the head and the basket. Is it likely the lever seals? I am about to attempt replacing them. I hope that's all it is! Havent had any other issues to date. Thanks again for a great video.
Great video guys - just what I was looking for. I regrease the cam 3 or 4 times/year but looking to go further soon with the top and bottom valve assemblies. A simple question: I notice you didn't protect the chrome plate nuts against the wrench jaws. Is the chrome hard enough to withstand the wrench or should I use some tape? My chrome is so far unmarked as the top cap and preinfusion chamber have never been removed. Thanks
Hi Stuart, Thanks for the kind comment and question. The chrome is fairly durable but using tape is not a bad idea for extra protection. Much depends on the tool and if it has any sharp edges which could scratch.
Hi guys, thank you for all the videos. Really helpful to demystify these machines! After I recently cleaned and descaled my Rocket Appartamento, I’m finding that the water out of the group head is initially far hotter than before and gushes out for a couple of seconds, before the flow stops. It comes out steamy for a couple of seconds, then gushes out at normal temp, then stops for 5 seconds, before the flow restarts. It’s almost like there’s an airlock as the pump works the whole time and doesn’t change in pitch. It feels like something is pushing all the water out of the brew circuit and then the pump has to catch up before it stabilises. Have you see anything like that before?
Hi Stuart, You are welcome for the videos. A couple of things could be going on. Steamy hot water that's spurty is normal to some extent on pressure stat controlled machines like the Appartamento. It's flash boiling and it's most common when the machine is on and idle for extended periods. A cooling flush is SOP when using pressure stat controlled HX boiler machines. Descaling might have made flash boiling more likely if there was scale partially blocking components prior to descaling. Sounds like once you get past the flash boiling the flow smooths out? If so your machine is operating normally.
Great video. Would you be able to expand on the cafiza soak as far as the right mix of ingredients, setup, etc.? Is this a cold soak? Thanks in advance.
Hey g, Use 1 teaspoon Cafiza per cup of water. Use water just off the boil, stirred well. Duration depends on the component and how dirty it is. I typically suggest checking after ten minutes. Never let something with chrome plating soak over ten minutes without a cold water rinse in between.
I need to do this for my Rocket Cellini espresso machine after pump stopped working correctly and no local espresso repair folks so I am on my own or buy new machine.
Hi, thanks for the comment. It's possible but could be other issues as well like water restriction elsewhere in the machine, dirty particle filter near reservoir outlet (if machine has), improper over pressure valve setting on vibration pump machine or pump bypass setting on rotary pump machine. I'd definitely do the scale check described at ~17:15 in this video.
I recently completed E61 rebuild on my 5 yr old ECM Classika with guidance from this video. An ongoing issue of long delay (10seconds) for the vibration pump to kick on remains. Should I replace the pump?
Hey k, That's odd. Too many unknowns to say for sure. Usually they come on or don't. If you are in US/Canada I suggest taking a short video of the issue and submitting a support ticket here: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
I made it almost 4 years before I wore the unit out so much the water wouldn't flow. As the machine wears, the water flow decreases and you start modifying your grind and other variables to compensate. I added flow control and in the end instead of restricting flow, I was running the valve full open. The new parts were obviously not at worn. I changed the upper valve alone, the machine worked immediately. Then I changed the cam and the water flow increased. I was lubricating the cam, but everytime I cleaned the machine the grease would wear off. People should be aware of the water flow rate a machine flows when new to be able to tell when the parts are worn. Don't assume because the thing still works, the unit is funtioning properly.
Hi TT, Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll add the typical stock flow rate of a vibration pump E61 machine is 7-8g/s. Stock for rotary pump E61 machines is 10-11g/s.
@@Wholelattelovepage So then it would be worse for a vibe pump machine. I would call for an inspection at least annually. The saddest two weeks of my life was waiting for parts and drinking coffee from a Moka pot.
Nice video. I haven’t actually done this yet and my machine is now a year old and I am begging to feel the squeaking when lifting and closing the leaver… Do I really have to exchange parts if they aren’t worn out? Also , depending on how often one does the back flush the detergent really removes the lubricant inside and makes it dry. After my first back flush it started squeaking… So depending on how often I would have to do the cleaning that also means I’d have to take it apart more often. Another question is… is it supposed to remove the lubricant inside right after using back flush or do you think athe factory lubricant just needs to be better cause it was VERY smooth up until I did my first cleaning with detergent. Thanks for the video 🙏🏻
Hi AI, Thanks for the comment and questions. You do not need to exchange parts if they are not worn out. We recommend back flushing with detergent after about 120 brew cycles. You can/should backflush without detergent every 10-20 brew cycles. I think you had squeaking because there was not much lubricant left after 1 year of use. Then the detergent removed what was left. Coffee oils help lubricate the cams internally.
Wild theory here. Has anyone tried installing a grease fitting in one or two spots on the grouphead? Regular grease fittings are one way and can support a fair amount of pressure but the do make high pressure variants. My thought is that you could fill everything, move the mechanisms around a bunch to work it in, and then flush out the excess. It would be interesting to know if you could do a more regular maintenance greasing on a frequent basis to potentially avoid taking the e61 apart. I recommend bringing the parts to a machine shop unless you are absolutely certain of yourself and use protection when testing. You could also potentially braise the fitting in place if its all the same metal.
I know from another machine, adding the flow control came with a 2nd stiffer lower spring that eliminated the E61 automatic quick pre-infusion where it kinda hits 4 bars for a sec before ramping all the way up. Were you saying with the flow control and original softer lower spring it in this machine it ends up making a noise, or just if you mix up the top and bottom springs? I don't mind the auto-preinfusion and was thinking of adding that softer spring back.
Hi Ben, The noise may happen when you mix up the springs. I've used both the softer and harder springs in flow control machines and don't notice any difference in final shot. IMO flow control variations over duration of shot seriously trump spring affects.
Uh. Oh. I just “broke” (temporarily disabled would be more accurate) my ECM (which looks EXACTLY like what’s shown in the video). I removed the top “section”. Twas trivial. What I encountered was EXACTLY what the video shows. Pulled the mushroom/flow item. Then the spring. Then the valve. I gently cleaned the mushroom (electric toothbrush for maybe 20-30 seconds, if that …on the main threads and a soft dishtowel on the valve (no chemicals at all, just some rubbing)). I didn’t bother removing the lever or bottom section. Just the mushroom. Added a dab of Molykote to the brass valve’s working surface. I reassembled it in reverse order but wasn’t sure what “rotation” the valve should go in/face (it turns through 360 degrees but has a rectangular work surface) so I aligned it to what “should be” the existing cam action path … shiny side aligned with the lever axle/screw (I could see wear. So, it seemed rather obvious). I never touched the flow control “portion” (never unscrewed it. nothing). Turned the machine back on. Let it warm up. Pulled the water lever “up”. 0 water coming out of the porta-filter feed area (flow spindle is open). Tried a few more full actions on the lever. Nothing. As I write this, I’m half wondering if it just doesn’t have enough water and I’m not letting it “run on” long enough to get the flow going (so I’ll try that in a bit). Is there a “required” valve orientation? …or, if the lever works (it seems to work fine) it “should be good?” Ideas of what I “could have” borked up? Machine worked flawlessly before my noodling. Though it did have a little calcium building up around the exterior base of the main “bolt” (where the white washer lives). So, I was scared that that was the tip of a possible (scale) iceberg. The second I got the mushroom off I could see that there was ~0 scale inside (thus the simple wipe and reassemble). STUPID ME! I just didn’t wait long enough. DoOH! When you run a “check” let it run for a good 20 seconds or so (watch the pressure valves and consider using a blind puck for a bit).
I'd love it if you guys could make a video of a E61 group maintenance of a (semi-)automatic machine. I own a La Scala Eroica 1A from 2008 and I would like to disassemble the group but I'm hesitant since there is zero information out there in the internet.
Hi Ben, I don't have a La Scala in-house at the moment. They seemed to have come in E61 with lever operation and an automatic version. If you have the lever version then this video is what you want. If you have the automatic I'm sorry to say I cannot help at this time.
@@Wholelattelovepage Yes, I have the automatic (I think "1A" stands for 1 group head automatic). I thought the automatic E61 group heads are all the same like the regular lever operated E61 are and maybe you got an automatic one to show how it's done. Maybe I'll just open mine anyway and give it to the repair shop if I can't reassemble it and/or make it work again.
Superb video. Thank you for this. Explains in super detail how this thing works. Will give people who are nervous about stripping down their investment the encouragement to do it.
Great video's. I've had my Sync about a year. It's plumbed and I make 10-12 coffee drinks per day. How often would you say full service should be done? How long do most of the valves last. Is descaling a plumbed machine with a water filer something I need to be checking?
Hi A, Thanks for the comment and questions. At minimum perform the group maintenance every 6 months. Hard to say exactly how long valves will last as it depends on use and other maintenance like backflushing and lubrication. Replace valves if you notice excessive wear. If using an inline filter which reduces calcium and replaces with magnesium like the BWT Bestmax you should not need to descale if using filter as directed. And, that's a good thing as manufacturers advise against non-professional descaling of dual boiler machines. Marc
Mark... Great Video... I have a Profitec Pro 700 and would like to do the lubrication maintenance that you detailed in your very informative video. Would I be able to order some parts that you recommended replacing? Specifically: the 3 brass valves inside the grouphead, 3 Teflon Gaskets (35x20x2 mm), and 1 Teflon Gasket( 26x21x2 mm). Can you please advise me how to place the order...
Hi Mike, We are working on a complete E61 rebuild kit - actually a couple as there are some subtle differences like for flow control and non-flow control E61s. In the meantime you can contact us here and get the parts you need: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us Marc
Thanks guys for the informative vide… Is there any video or a way to test the springs inside the group? How to know that the springs need to be replaced?.. I got Rocket R58 that the pressure wouldn’t go down to 0 after brewing, had to open the lever half way up to and then deon to release remaining pressure, so the gauge shows 0 … any suggestions to this problem?
Hi MA, Machine indicating pressure on the gauge after brewing is normal operation - nothing is wrong with your machine. Most machines regardless of manufacturer will do that. It's due to brew system pressure being measured deep in the hydraulic system behind a one-way valve.
G'day from Australia. This video is just what I needed. I've ordered a bunch of spares from my local. Quick question, I hope you can answer. I've pulled out the E61 Group head stem cam (attached to the lever. About mid length on the old one and the brand new replacement there are two very thin circumferential grooves. At 7:24 the part is cleaned and lubed. Mine is an ECM (PN, but appears to be common to most brands. Looking at the schematic there does not appear to be a gasket/oring for it. I confirmed with the parts guy, nope, no rings required, but he couldn't advise why the grooves exist. Do you guys have any ideas? Thanks in advance, love the videos.
Hey Jon, Hello from the USA. Thanks for the kind comment and question. Unfortunately I do not know what the grooves are for and your parts guy is right. Incidentally, in case you missed it the E61 in this video lives on an ECM Synchronika. Parts are common/identical for most brands. Most notable difference I've come across between brands is many used to use chrome plated mushrooms which flake plating with scale and age leaving speckles on used coffee pucks, many Rocket Espresso machines use ceramic mushrooms and many manufactures (ECM and Profitec for sure) switched to stainless steel mushrooms.
Are each of the three springs equal and interchangeable? After reassembly, when purging with a blank, there is a pressure relief and water flows from the lower group. Likewise, when brewing; overflow gets released thru the lower group.
Hello gentlemens, I have ECM V Slim espresso machine (purchased from Whole Coffee Love). Making 120 - 130 espresso cups monthly and of course flashing shover after use. Please suggest to me how often I should lubricate group head water lewer and how often whole group head maintenance ? I love my ECM baby and want to keep it in perfect condition. Thank you !
Hi Aleks, No perfect answer for those questions as variables like coffee used, how long the machine is on each day and source water quality play a role. At 4-5 cups/day I'd backflush with plain water at least every 2 days, backflush with a detergent like Cafiza once per month. If you don't often take water from the hot water tap take a cup or two out every other day to prevent concentration of minerals in the boiler. Lubricate the internal group components if/when they get noisy/squeak. Do the whole group head maintenance and lubrication every six months. If you have hard water filter using a BWT product with calcium to magnesium ion-exchange to prevent internal scale deposits. At your usage level the in-reservoir BWT Bestsave pad filter is a sensible option for that: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bwt-bestsave-m-anti-scale-filter Preventing scale is the single most importanbt thing you can do to keep the machine running for years to come! Marc
As an alternative to using a crescent wrench, can you list the required wrench sizes? I assume they're in MM? I think they're going to be close to a 36, and 26 mm. Your help is appreciated!
Hi PN, Frequency of rebuild depends on level of usage. On average, an annual look at internal components is recommended. Need for full rebuild is unlikely unless the machine is used heavily. For average use it's likely all that will be needed is lubrication of components. We can do the rebuild. For accurate pricing it's best to contact our tech support team here for a quote: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
Any advice for stuck flow control mushroom valves? I have two wrenches to try and loosen but it seems cemented together. Trying to lubricate for flow control squeaks.
Ditto on Javalos20003, does frequency depend on water quality? Using a BWT system on my Synchronika. Or, is lever/valve action a better indicator of time to lube, etc?
If you get any squeaking from the lever that is a sign that it needs lubricating, you'll end up at that point faster if you are chemically backflushing frequently. Annual is probably pretty good, I normally take out the middle part with the cam probably twice annually to add a little more lubricant on the cam. Checking for scale is going to depend on your water hardness. I chemically backflush about every 1.5-2 months with daily water only backflushes but find the Haynes Lubri-film gets washed away quite quickly compared to the factory lubricant that was on my Rocket originally.
Must get some of those needle o-rings. Do you have the size? Btw, one thing he didn’t mention was removing the shower screen and replacing the main gasket. I always struggle to remove mine for cleaning and would love to see how a pro does it.
It got much better for me when I replaced the gasket with one from Cafelat. And, the Cafelat has a very small bevel on the inside ring which must face up.
E61 Brew Group Rebuild Kits are available here in Simple, Moderate and Major versions: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/maintenance-packages
We had a lot of requests and are happy to make them available!
Hi! Thanks for doing all of those very informal and detailed videos, they helped me immensely in understanding how my machine works. The e61 brew group kits seem out of stock at the moment. Do you have an idea as to when they will be again? I just yesterday opened my machine after finding a small leak due to my t-shaped plastic piece being cracked and now I feel like i should also do a bigger maintenance on my machine since it's now been almost two years. Thank you so much!
These are all currently out of stock. Will these be restocked soon?
Great review. Where can we buy the brass valves, seals shown for the ECM E61 group head? Thx
I know this is an old video, but what a gem! I just bought a brand new Lelit Mara X, and in few months I will be installing a flow control on it, and in 12 or so months I will service it like this for the first time! Amazing tutorial, saving this gold for later when the time comes, but now I know how the E61 works in detail!❤
Thanks for the comment!
Videos like this increase the value of RUclips as a whole. Other suggestions were like watching a guy spitting water into another guy 🤦🏻. Thank you so much
It's always a good idea to let a technician explain technical issues. Another technician understands him on-the-fly, because he´s ineloquent and always matter-of-facty.
Thank you very much for this great video. It was most helpful.
Hi e, You are welcome for the video and thank you for the comment!
Can always count on Whole Latte Love for the most helpful video! If I was in the US, they're the one I will support. Thanks so much for this video. I remember the first time I tried doing this 3 years ago, I hit a problem which I couldn't figure out and took me a long time to wiggle the thing in. It was the reassembly process for the cam switch thingy. When I found this video, i thought of giving it another shot, and what do you know, I got through it all like a pro. THANK YOU!!
Hey kas, you are welcome thanks so much for your comment!
The video was vital. I had rinsed my Profitec Drive with Cafiza and her lever had stiffened quite a bit. The problem is not the disassembly, but the reassembly: the camshaft did not fit into its housing. The solution was to dismantle the water drain at the bottom, to lower the infusion valve, insert the camshaft and screw it back in, reinserting the valve below. I broke out in a cold sweat, but I'm happy now!
Hi f, Thanks for the comment and sharing your experience. Gotta be careful not to overdue the backflushing with Cafiza. Do plain water backflushes at anytime but limit backflushing with Cafiza to every 120 brew cycles. Overdoing the Cafiza removes lubrication from internal components.
@@Wholelattelovepage Yes, you are right, Cafiza is really strong and should be used sparingly. Now the lever is soft, but above all I avoided premature wear of the camshaft, as I heard it squealing with every coffee. Thanks again for your videos!
Thank you! Followed this video to replace all the gaskets and valves in my mom's machine's grouphead and now it's back to heating up properly again. You guys have the best videos on how to service your machines.
Hi LW, Thanks a whole latte for the kind comment!
Thank you so much for this great video. Without this tutorial, I would not have had the courage to do this maintenance work myself and I would have had to take the machine in for service. That would have cost me a lot of time and effort. You guys are great.
You're welcome and thanks a whole latte for the comment!
By far the best E61 rebuild video I have seen. Nothing missed in this fix-it video.
Brian & Mark, thanks so much for this presentation, you guys are the best. The lever on my Crem One 2BRP-GSP was creaking and stiff on closing, particularly after cleaning, so followed your tutorial, took my time, followed the steps, sparingly used a quality lubricant and WOW. What a difference, now operating smoothly and easily. If anyone is thinking their machine needs this service - do it, you won't regret it, get the right tools, be patient, take your time. I'm only 12 months into my coffee journey and Whole Latte Love have taught me so much with no confusion, just simple real world advice. Many thanks to you all, from The Land Downunder.
Hi Frankie, You are welcome! Thank you for the kind comment.
Marc
Great video. Thank you. Can I lubricate my cam without taking out the flow control valve? I am having the same issue as Frankie.
Great video. Saved me a 4 hr trip to my nearest service provider and not going without my machine for a couple of days. Thankyou😄
You're welcome! Thanks for the comment
This is such a wonderful service to the community. Thanks, Whole Latte Love!
Videos like this increase the value of RUclips as a whole. Other suggestions were like watching a guy spitting water onto another guy's face 🤦🏻. Thank you so much and please keep up the good work. It would be great to see you do this on commercial machines too
Hi BD, Thanks for the comment! We try to be straightforward and thorough!
Thank you guys for the absolute perfect video tutorial for this. I recently just got a 2 year old Rocket Mozzafiato Evo R, and had the squeaky lever. This completely fixed that, also was nice to get to know E61 a little better.
Hey G, You are welcome and thank you for taking a moment to leave your comment!
Excellent, Lets take a minute to appreciate people who take pride in their work.
Hey Chris, And let's take a minute for those who take a minute to appreciate those who take pride!!!
Thanks
This video is fantastic. Also that dolphin sound is exactly what we are hearing from our machine. I guess it’s time for some maintenance. Thanks guys
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment
Thanks for the comprehensive video! Great having the grouphead and flow control maintenance in one spot!
Just wanted to say thanks for the video, I had an issue with the portafilter holding water and next to nothing coming out the exhaust.
I followed this and replaced the mushroom o-ring and it's working perfectly again
Hi Nader, You're welcome - happy to help and thank you for taking a moment to leave a comment!
Such a clear and well presented video. Really gives me faith to get an EcM machine knowing that it is well supported. How often and how to tell that the machine needs such maintenance?
Hi jz, Thanks for the comment. In typical home use frequency is 6-12 months. Chances are you will not be needing full rebuild. Tell tale signs are performance issues or squeaks when operating lever which indicates need fro lubrication.
I have lelit bianca for year now with e61 and this video is a godsend, she and i thank you so much for sharing and helping us!
You're so welcome!
Brian, kudos. Excellent organization and presentation. Thank you. I've watched a number of other videos, but this is the best I've seen: straightforward, not high-falutin' and super helpful in overcoming concerns about undertaking a rebuild After watching, I understand the relationship of the parts and their purpose.Again, many thanks for this lucid treatment!
Hi R, You are welcome and thanks for taking a moment to leave your comment! We do try to be straightforward and thorough.
Hi Team from Whole Latte Love! Great Video as always, really digging the recent additions on maintenance and servicing videos to the channel. My La Scala Butterfly (Probably a mid-2000s Model) leaked on the Group Lever and since I took it over by my step dad last year, I thought it would be the right time to give it a thorough overhaul. Backed up by your detailed instruction video, I went ahead with a full group head maintenance, exchanging all seals and valves. So far so good, no leaking at any point of the group anymore.
However, the group head does not seem to release pressure through the lower end as it used to. I do get a couple of drips, yet I feel the pressure releasing when I take off the portafilter and find a substantial amount of water on the top of the puck. I have disassembled and reassembled several times, and as far as I can tell from your video, I put it together correctly.
Any suggestions about how I might be able to fix the issue?
Regards from Austria!!
My machine does the exact sam thing now! Did you find a way to fix it? No pressure in the bottom, all the pressure in the portafilter group head. And a pool of water on top of the puck. Hope you can enlighten me. Thanks from Søren, Denmark
I just received my EMC Synchronika AMG edition and I freaking love it! How often should I do a maintenance such as this?
This is a fantastic video; as most are. I have a squeaky lever so I am following the steps in the video to lubricate and change gaskets if required. I am finding it difficult space wise, and a bit apprehensive about slippage or damage, using two adjustable wrenches to open up the lever, so I purchased two open end wrenches at 24mm and 26mm (sizes quoted in another video by others - I hope those sizes are universal for E61 groups… ) They arrive later this week.
Excellent!
@@Wholelattelovepage Update: Well, one of the wrenches (24mm) arrived today, and it does not fit (too big on the smaller nut.). So, I guess the other video I watched where the 24 and 26mm sizes were mentioned for the lever nuts, means the nut sizes are not universal. I have sent an email to ECM to ask what wrench sizes to use for removal those two lever parts.
Update 2: OK, final update on this. I heard back from ECM Customer Service in Germany and they advised the size of the open end wrenches for the Synchronika brew lever removal are 22mm and 26mm. I checked with my two newly-purchased wrenches today, and confirm those are the sizes that fit the nuts.
@@AA-SFO Thanks for the update!
This is an incredibly helpful and informative video. Thanks for putting this together!
Hi Ue, You are welcome and thanks a whole latte for taking a moment to leave your comment!
Marc
A tutorial gem! Thank you so much! :)
You're very welcome!
Thanks so much for this great video! The lever on my Profitec Pro 500 needs lubing after nearly every backflush with Cafiza. I carefully reviewed this video before taking the E61 apart and lubricating it. Everything went well, thanks to the tips in the video.
Hi Dennis, You are welcome and thank you for taking a moment to leave a comment. Not unusual to have some squeaking after backflushing with Cafiza until coffee oils naturally re-lubricate. Excessive squeaking may be an indication you're backflushing to frequently with Cafiza. Profitec recommends backflushing with detergent like Cafiza every 120 brew cycles or so. You can back flush without detergent as much as you like
Pro tip.... crescent wrenches are meant to turn in the direction the adjustable jaw points. Provides grip and leverage without the risk of slipping. You help the wrench 180° off.
Just did this today. The video made it very easy, especially the part where you laid out all of the parts.
Hi Marshall, Happy to hear - thanks for the comment
Marc
Just serviced my rocket Mozzafiato, and when I put everything back together I had water coming out of all the wrong places 😅 Turned out I misplaced a seal and one of these brass things, thanks to this video I could find out what was wrong. Typical case of „I’ve done it once I know what I’m dong“ lol
Hi g, Happy to hear you found the issue!
Wow! anybody got some masking tape for the chrome protection?!
Excellent video. I have an 11 year old Expobar Brewtus IV that needs some love. Good to know that the E61 parts are standardized. Thanks WLL!!
Glad it was helpful!
Best explanation on E61 maintenance! Well done.
Great video. I did this yesterday to my ECM technika IV. the kit I ordered a couple of the parts seemed a little different from the ones I pulled out of my machine. one in particular at the bottom end of the lower sleeve assembly. Part Number 35 on the exploded part list. Mine the stem was a triangle and the new part was a rectangle. it didn't seem to fit so I cleaned up the old part best I could. put it all back to gather and everything seemed fine. the only think I noticed right away was the cam leaver seemed a little loose. I woke up this morning to a massive puddle on my kitchen floor. water is flowing through the bottom of the lower sleeve. I can only assume it has something to do with the part I didn't fully replace.
When ordering the kit to rebuild the group head I couldn't find one that said it was specific to ECM. Unfortunately I tried whole latte love but some of the parts were on back order. I had to get the kit from somewhere else. If my machine wasn't in bad need of the rebuild I probably could have waited.
any ideas what I can do to stop the constant flow of water out the bottom of the group head?
Fantastic tutorial. I’ve needed this info for 15 years
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your comment!
If only I’d had this video 5 years ago when I first had to rebuild my Rocket R58 V1!! (The Rocket is now 10 years old and going strong!)
Hey TBP, Thanks for the comment. Happy to hear your R58 is going strong!
Matrc
Good luck getting all back together!
Hey John, It's very straightforward
Important Note: I recently performed E61 Group Maintenance on my Profitec Drive. During REASSEMBLY, I noticed the valve tips for the mushroom valve and the lower end rotate when you are tightening them into place after the service. So, you need to be sure that the tips of the upper and lower valves are PERPENDICULAR to the head (kidney) on the lever camshaft or you will not be able to insert the camshaft. After servicing the machine, I loosely reinstalled the mushroom valve and the lower end so I could adjust/align the position of the valve tips with a needle nose plier to accommodate the head/kidney on the lever camshaft. Once the camshaft was properly inserted, I torqued up on the assembly and then went back to the mushroom valve (top) and the lower end. The final step was to check for leaks as indicated in Brian's and Mark's video.
Hi m, Thanks for sharing your experience and tips!
Great video! Thanks team! I’ve got a 2 year old Mozzafiato which I’m now going to do it’s first service but it’s been making dolphin noises for a while. Odd from new?! Should I try swapping the springs as you’ve said? Thanks
Hey Pete, You're welcome. Spring swap may help.
How often would you do that on a E61 with normal home usage ? Annual? 4-6 shots a day on a HX here btw. Seems easy. Thx for the great content
Every other day! Kidding.
My gosh.. mine 2y and I haven’t done this..
Haven’t touched my Profitec Pro 500 in 6 years. Only descaling and cleaning. 8-12 shots a day in our house. Works fine, no leaks. I should go through it, though.
@@paulferreira8342 i have a 6 year old Profitec pro 500 too. Had to replace the rubber seal between the heating element and the boiler, because it was leaking. It was rubber, but looked and felt like a piece of coal :D. So, find a gasket and replace that one too, it is about to go probably :). But other than that, i do the same: descale every 2 months or so (soft water) and the boiler was completely devoid of calcium buildup when I took out the heating element.
The portafilter ring goes every so often, it is just always hot and abused. Just breaks if you take it out at some point :).
My 2 group commercial Wega used in a restaurant is developing issues after 25 years of use (and I was lackadaisical about back flushing.) Obviously a different machine but the group heads are solenoid controlled E-61. Filter gaskets need replacing regularly but even the screens are still good.
Thank you for the 101, Brian! Much appreciated.
You bet!
Superb video, worked out perfectly, changing all valves just following your advice!
Hi N, Thanks for the comment and happy to hear it worked out perfectly!
REALLy great VDO - simple to follow and it works ! Thanks
You're welcome!
Super helpful! Very happy you put this video online. Could you help me with the size o-rings in the flow controle part, the black ones that need a bit of lubrication and wear quite a bit. Measured them and think it is 9mm, but not sure as also 8,5mm is a common size.
Hi g, I do not have the dimensions but here is our part number for the flow control o-rings: PRO-P1025.1
If in the US you can order from us using that part number and calling: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
Thank you Brian excellent break down and service recommendations.
Very welcome!
I am so thankful for these types of videos! I was wondering if you guys could do a video using the ECM synchronika discussing with your technician how to properly descale the Synchronika and other dual boiler espresso machines.
Hi Phil, Thanks for the request. When our techs get a dual boiler in need of descaling they almost always remove the boilers from the machine for descaling. As you might imagine it's a rather involved process and beyond the skill level of most home users. A more normal descaling like those for single or HX boiler machines is a bit risky on a DB machine. In some DB machines it's difficult to fully empty boilers of descaler acids. But the bigger problem is scale particles breaking free during descaling and plugging up other components in the more complex hydraulic systems of DB machines. This is why machine manufacturers recommend professional descaling of DBs.
Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage thank you for your reply. I appreciate your explanation. I have read recently about how DB espresso machines essentially require a full deconstruction to properly descale. I wish it were something that if not advised to complete would at a minimum be discussed by technicians in the industry...maybe not so much as a how-to per say (especially if that poses risk for companies *disclaimer necessary I'd assume*)...but I guess if it couldn't be a how-to...at least a technical breakdown of exactly why a consumer should absolutely NOT descale on their own. I understand the fact that particles can break off, but maybe a cutaway model describing how home descaling can damage a machine, would be at the least highly educational for the viewers and might discourage people from performing the maintenance on their own. I also understand using proper water can essentially eliminate this issue per se...however I just recently bought my first espresso machine, the ECM synchronika....such a large purchase I intend to take care of...I hope to keep using it some 30 years from now if at all possible... lol, but even 30 years of proper water, I would assume eventually would cause a need to descale...and that is why such a video would be awesome to have.
Thank you for your consideration and taking the time to read the comment.
What happens if your new Rocket Chrono Mozzafiato R makes that dolphin noise from the start? Bought it from WholeLatteLove in August/September
Many videos claim that the brew lever/cam shaft cannot be re-inserted incorrectly. They are wrong. You must replace the cam in the same orientation as when you removed it (I suggest with the lever half up). But if one manages to reinsert the cam even at 90 degrees off, you will not be able to lift the brew handle when you re-assemble, though you CAN re assemble.
Hey ZAUSA, Thanks for the tip!
Thank you very much for this clear tutorial. Please, how often should this maintenance process be performed ? Thanks.
Hey p, You're welcome and thanks for the comment. Frequency of maintenance depends on use level. Every 6-12 months is good at typicall home use level.
@Wholelattelovepage OK, thank you. I will do it once or twice a year then.
This tutorial is a real gem. Bravo!
Hi NT, Thanks for the comment!
Thank you, super helpful video. My EMC is like a new again.
Hi LC, you're welcome!
This video is great. I have a Rocket Apartamento and have had zero problems in five years and I only ever backflush...until recently. It is holding too much water in the basket and I have to push the lever down after a shot and harder to get all of the water to exit the head and the basket. Is it likely the lever seals? I am about to attempt replacing them. I hope that's all it is! Havent had any other issues to date. Thanks again for a great video.
Hi hid, Thanks for the kind comment! Hard to say for sure but after 5 years you are def due for teardown maintenance and/or rebuild.
Great video, helped me so much with my Crem one Profiler - lovin the content guys
Our pleasure! And thank you for the comment!
Thank you gentlemen for a very helpful and fabulously done video. Bravo!!
Hi JC, You're welcome!
Great video guys - just what I was looking for. I regrease the cam 3 or 4 times/year but looking to go further soon with the top and bottom valve assemblies. A simple question: I notice you didn't protect the chrome plate nuts against the wrench jaws. Is the chrome hard enough to withstand the wrench or should I use some tape? My chrome is so far unmarked as the top cap and preinfusion chamber have never been removed. Thanks
Hi Stuart, Thanks for the kind comment and question. The chrome is fairly durable but using tape is not a bad idea for extra protection. Much depends on the tool and if it has any sharp edges which could scratch.
How often would you recommend to do this maintenance procedure?
Hi Basil, Depends on use level - average home user should do annually.
If you pull 2-3 doubles a day, how often should this indepth maintenance be performed? I have a Profitec Pro 600.
I would like to know the same .
Hi guys, thank you for all the videos. Really helpful to demystify these machines!
After I recently cleaned and descaled my Rocket Appartamento, I’m finding that the water out of the group head is initially far hotter than before and gushes out for a couple of seconds, before the flow stops.
It comes out steamy for a couple of seconds, then gushes out at normal temp, then stops for 5 seconds, before the flow restarts.
It’s almost like there’s an airlock as the pump works the whole time and doesn’t change in pitch.
It feels like something is pushing all the water out of the brew circuit and then the pump has to catch up before it stabilises.
Have you see anything like that before?
Hi Stuart, You are welcome for the videos.
A couple of things could be going on. Steamy hot water that's spurty is normal to some extent on pressure stat controlled machines like the Appartamento. It's flash boiling and it's most common when the machine is on and idle for extended periods. A cooling flush is SOP when using pressure stat controlled HX boiler machines. Descaling might have made flash boiling more likely if there was scale partially blocking components prior to descaling.
Sounds like once you get past the flash boiling the flow smooths out? If so your machine is operating normally.
@@Wholelattelovepage perfect! Thank you for the response. Keep up the good work!!
Awesome video! Thank's a lot!!! Great value!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video. Would you be able to expand on the cafiza soak as far as the right mix of ingredients, setup, etc.? Is this a cold soak?
Thanks in advance.
Hey g,
Use 1 teaspoon Cafiza per cup of water. Use water just off the boil, stirred well.
Duration depends on the component and how dirty it is. I typically suggest checking after ten minutes. Never let something with chrome plating soak over ten minutes without a cold water rinse in between.
I need to do this for my Rocket Cellini espresso machine after pump stopped working correctly and no local espresso repair folks so I am on my own or buy new machine.
Great video. Marc could you do one on replacing the front panel on a profitec pro 700 with Flo contoll incase front was damaged or scratched
Great video. would a dirty group head cause low brew pressure?
Hi, thanks for the comment. It's possible but could be other issues as well like water restriction elsewhere in the machine, dirty particle filter near reservoir outlet (if machine has), improper over pressure valve setting on vibration pump machine or pump bypass setting on rotary pump machine. I'd definitely do the scale check described at ~17:15 in this video.
This is super helpful, thanks!
Hey AE, You're welcome!
I recently completed E61 rebuild on my 5 yr old ECM Classika with guidance from this video. An ongoing issue of long delay (10seconds) for the vibration pump to kick on remains. Should I replace the pump?
Hey k, That's odd. Too many unknowns to say for sure. Usually they come on or don't. If you are in US/Canada I suggest taking a short video of the issue and submitting a support ticket here: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
I made it almost 4 years before I wore the unit out so much the water wouldn't flow. As the machine wears, the water flow decreases and you start modifying your grind and other variables to compensate. I added flow control and in the end instead of restricting flow, I was running the valve full open.
The new parts were obviously not at worn. I changed the upper valve alone, the machine worked immediately. Then I changed the cam and the water flow increased. I was lubricating the cam, but everytime I cleaned the machine the grease would wear off.
People should be aware of the water flow rate a machine flows when new to be able to tell when the parts are worn. Don't assume because the thing still works, the unit is funtioning properly.
Hi TT, Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll add the typical stock flow rate of a vibration pump E61 machine is 7-8g/s. Stock for rotary pump E61 machines is 10-11g/s.
@@Wholelattelovepage So then it would be worse for a vibe pump machine. I would call for an inspection at least annually. The saddest two weeks of my life was waiting for parts and drinking coffee from a Moka pot.
Nice video.
I haven’t actually done this yet and my machine is now a year old and I am begging to feel the squeaking when lifting and closing the leaver…
Do I really have to exchange parts if they aren’t worn out?
Also , depending on how often one does the back flush the detergent really removes the lubricant inside and makes it dry. After my first back flush it started squeaking…
So depending on how often I would have to do the cleaning that also means I’d have to take it apart more often.
Another question is… is it supposed to remove the lubricant inside right after using back flush or do you think athe factory lubricant just needs to be better cause it was VERY smooth up until I did my first cleaning with detergent.
Thanks for the video 🙏🏻
Hi AI, Thanks for the comment and questions. You do not need to exchange parts if they are not worn out. We recommend back flushing with detergent after about 120 brew cycles. You can/should backflush without detergent every 10-20 brew cycles. I think you had squeaking because there was not much lubricant left after 1 year of use. Then the detergent removed what was left. Coffee oils help lubricate the cams internally.
Amazing video, so well detailed and clear.
Thank you!
Best instructions ever Thanks!!!
Hi jh, Glad it was helpful!
No rags used to protect the finish?
Wild theory here. Has anyone tried installing a grease fitting in one or two spots on the grouphead? Regular grease fittings are one way and can support a fair amount of pressure but the do make high pressure variants. My thought is that you could fill everything, move the mechanisms around a bunch to work it in, and then flush out the excess. It would be interesting to know if you could do a more regular maintenance greasing on a frequent basis to potentially avoid taking the e61 apart. I recommend bringing the parts to a machine shop unless you are absolutely certain of yourself and use protection when testing. You could also potentially braise the fitting in place if its all the same metal.
I know from another machine, adding the flow control came with a 2nd stiffer lower spring that eliminated the E61 automatic quick pre-infusion where it kinda hits 4 bars for a sec before ramping all the way up.
Were you saying with the flow control and original softer lower spring it in this machine it ends up making a noise, or just if you mix up the top and bottom springs?
I don't mind the auto-preinfusion and was thinking of adding that softer spring back.
Hi Ben, The noise may happen when you mix up the springs. I've used both the softer and harder springs in flow control machines and don't notice any difference in final shot. IMO flow control variations over duration of shot seriously trump spring affects.
Uh. Oh.
I just “broke” (temporarily disabled would be more accurate) my ECM (which looks EXACTLY like what’s shown in the video). I removed the top “section”. Twas trivial. What I encountered was EXACTLY what the video shows. Pulled the mushroom/flow item. Then the spring. Then the valve. I gently cleaned the mushroom (electric toothbrush for maybe 20-30 seconds, if that …on the main threads and a soft dishtowel on the valve (no chemicals at all, just some rubbing)). I didn’t bother removing the lever or bottom section. Just the mushroom. Added a dab of Molykote to the brass valve’s working surface. I reassembled it in reverse order but wasn’t sure what “rotation” the valve should go in/face (it turns through 360 degrees but has a rectangular work surface) so I aligned it to what “should be” the existing cam action path … shiny side aligned with the lever axle/screw (I could see wear. So, it seemed rather obvious). I never touched the flow control “portion” (never unscrewed it. nothing).
Turned the machine back on. Let it warm up. Pulled the water lever “up”. 0 water coming out of the porta-filter feed area (flow spindle is open). Tried a few more full actions on the lever. Nothing.
As I write this, I’m half wondering if it just doesn’t have enough water and I’m not letting it “run on” long enough to get the flow going (so I’ll try that in a bit).
Is there a “required” valve orientation? …or, if the lever works (it seems to work fine) it “should be good?”
Ideas of what I “could have” borked up?
Machine worked flawlessly before my noodling. Though it did have a little calcium building up around the exterior base of the main “bolt” (where the white washer lives). So, I was scared that that was the tip of a possible (scale) iceberg. The second I got the mushroom off I could see that there was ~0 scale inside (thus the simple wipe and reassemble).
STUPID ME!
I just didn’t wait long enough. DoOH!
When you run a “check” let it run for a good 20 seconds or so (watch the pressure valves and consider using a blind puck for a bit).
I'd love it if you guys could make a video of a E61 group maintenance of a (semi-)automatic machine. I own a La Scala Eroica 1A from 2008 and I would like to disassemble the group but I'm hesitant since there is zero information out there in the internet.
Hi Ben, I don't have a La Scala in-house at the moment. They seemed to have come in E61 with lever operation and an automatic version. If you have the lever version then this video is what you want. If you have the automatic I'm sorry to say I cannot help at this time.
@@Wholelattelovepage Yes, I have the automatic (I think "1A" stands for 1 group head automatic). I thought the automatic E61 group heads are all the same like the regular lever operated E61 are and maybe you got an automatic one to show how it's done. Maybe I'll just open mine anyway and give it to the repair shop if I can't reassemble it and/or make it work again.
This is gold, thank you.
Superb video. Thank you for this. Explains in super detail how this thing works. Will give people who are nervous about stripping down their investment the encouragement to do it.
Hi AS, You are welcome and thanks for your comment!
Marc
Great video's. I've had my Sync about a year. It's plumbed and I make 10-12 coffee drinks per day. How often would you say full service should be done? How long do most of the valves last. Is descaling a plumbed machine with a water filer something I need to be checking?
Hi A, Thanks for the comment and questions. At minimum perform the group maintenance every 6 months. Hard to say exactly how long valves will last as it depends on use and other maintenance like backflushing and lubrication. Replace valves if you notice excessive wear. If using an inline filter which reduces calcium and replaces with magnesium like the BWT Bestmax you should not need to descale if using filter as directed. And, that's a good thing as manufacturers advise against non-professional descaling of dual boiler machines.
Marc
my cam of the Profitec Pro 700 is slightly bent...is that normal or do I need to replace it? Super helpful video. Thanx
Hi Markus, Hard to say since I can't see it but if machine is operating normally no concern for worry.
Great video. The best I’ve seen on the subject. Thank you!
Wow, thanks! Appreciate the comment a whole latte!
Hi guys really helpful video! My machine gets the E61 level very squeaky, what I have to lube to get a smooth feeling again? Thanks
Hi F, Thanks for the question. Lube the valve actuator contact points as shown in the video.
Mark... Great Video... I have a Profitec Pro 700 and would like to do the lubrication maintenance that you detailed in your very informative video. Would I be able to order some parts that you recommended replacing? Specifically: the 3 brass valves inside the grouphead, 3 Teflon Gaskets (35x20x2 mm), and 1 Teflon Gasket( 26x21x2 mm). Can you please advise me how to place the order...
Hi Mike, We are working on a complete E61 rebuild kit - actually a couple as there are some subtle differences like for flow control and non-flow control E61s. In the meantime you can contact us here and get the parts you need: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
Marc
Hi Mike, UPDATE: the rebuild kits are available here: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/maintenance-packages
geart video, the handle kidney Installation location is very important,otherwise it will leak water.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks so much this video is excellent !!
Will WLL be offering a refurb kit of the parts featured in the video?
Hi AL, the rebuild kits are available here: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/maintenance-packages
Thanks guys for the informative vide… Is there any video or a way to test the springs inside the group? How to know that the springs need to be replaced?.. I got Rocket R58 that the pressure wouldn’t go down to 0 after brewing, had to open the lever half way up to and then deon to release remaining pressure, so the gauge shows 0 … any suggestions to this problem?
Hi MA, Machine indicating pressure on the gauge after brewing is normal operation - nothing is wrong with your machine. Most machines regardless of manufacturer will do that. It's due to brew system pressure being measured deep in the hydraulic system behind a one-way valve.
Großartiges Video…vielen dank…
Danke für den Kommentar! Gern geschehen!!!
Thanks for the video! Does the orientation of the lock washer matter? Should the jagged edge press against the nut or the lever?
Against the nut
@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you!
G'day from Australia. This video is just what I needed. I've ordered a bunch of spares from my local. Quick question, I hope you can answer. I've pulled out the E61 Group head stem cam (attached to the lever. About mid length on the old one and the brand new replacement there are two very thin circumferential grooves. At 7:24 the part is cleaned and lubed. Mine is an ECM (PN, but appears to be common to most brands. Looking at the schematic there does not appear to be a gasket/oring for it. I confirmed with the parts guy, nope, no rings required, but he couldn't advise why the grooves exist. Do you guys have any ideas? Thanks in advance, love the videos.
Hey Jon, Hello from the USA. Thanks for the kind comment and question. Unfortunately I do not know what the grooves are for and your parts guy is right. Incidentally, in case you missed it the E61 in this video lives on an ECM Synchronika. Parts are common/identical for most brands. Most notable difference I've come across between brands is many used to use chrome plated mushrooms which flake plating with scale and age leaving speckles on used coffee pucks, many Rocket Espresso machines use ceramic mushrooms and many manufactures (ECM and Profitec for sure) switched to stainless steel mushrooms.
Are each of the three springs equal and interchangeable? After reassembly, when purging with a blank, there is a pressure relief and water flows from the lower group. Likewise, when brewing; overflow gets released thru the lower group.
Hello gentlemens, I have ECM V Slim espresso machine (purchased from Whole Coffee Love). Making 120 - 130 espresso cups monthly and of course flashing shover after use. Please suggest to me how often I should lubricate group head water lewer and how often whole group head maintenance ? I love my ECM baby and want to keep it in perfect condition. Thank you !
Hi Aleks, No perfect answer for those questions as variables like coffee used, how long the machine is on each day and source water quality play a role. At 4-5 cups/day I'd backflush with plain water at least every 2 days, backflush with a detergent like Cafiza once per month. If you don't often take water from the hot water tap take a cup or two out every other day to prevent concentration of minerals in the boiler. Lubricate the internal group components if/when they get noisy/squeak. Do the whole group head maintenance and lubrication every six months. If you have hard water filter using a BWT product with calcium to magnesium ion-exchange to prevent internal scale deposits. At your usage level the in-reservoir BWT Bestsave pad filter is a sensible option for that: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bwt-bestsave-m-anti-scale-filter
Preventing scale is the single most importanbt thing you can do to keep the machine running for years to come!
Marc
As an alternative to using a crescent wrench, can you list the required wrench sizes? I assume they're in MM? I think they're going to be close to a 36, and 26 mm. Your help is appreciated!
He scratched the hell out of those valves. Come on men use some tape to protect the finish. 😢
How much do you guys charge to do a rebuild such as this? How often do you recommend doing it?
Hi PN, Frequency of rebuild depends on level of usage. On average, an annual look at internal components is recommended. Need for full rebuild is unlikely unless the machine is used heavily. For average use it's likely all that will be needed is lubrication of components. We can do the rebuild. For accurate pricing it's best to contact our tech support team here for a quote: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
Love this; my Rocket does not get heavy use (1 to 2 shots per day), but it is old. A kit would sell.
Hi Dale, the rebuild kits are available here: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/maintenance-packages
Any advice for stuck flow control mushroom valves? I have two wrenches to try and loosen but it seems cemented together. Trying to lubricate for flow control squeaks.
Ditto on Javalos20003, does frequency depend on water quality? Using a BWT system on my Synchronika. Or, is lever/valve action a better indicator of time to lube, etc?
If you get any squeaking from the lever that is a sign that it needs lubricating, you'll end up at that point faster if you are chemically backflushing frequently. Annual is probably pretty good, I normally take out the middle part with the cam probably twice annually to add a little more lubricant on the cam. Checking for scale is going to depend on your water hardness. I chemically backflush about every 1.5-2 months with daily water only backflushes but find the Haynes Lubri-film gets washed away quite quickly compared to the factory lubricant that was on my Rocket originally.
Great! Thank you!
You are welcome!
Well explained 👌🏼☕😘
Glad you liked it
awesome
Must get some of those needle o-rings. Do you have the size?
Btw, one thing he didn’t mention was removing the shower screen and replacing the main gasket. I always struggle to remove mine for cleaning and would love to see how a pro does it.
It got much better for me when I replaced the gasket with one from Cafelat. And, the Cafelat has a very small bevel on the inside ring which must face up.