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When to do it?
When you feel friction as you pull the piston, from the gasket inside rubbing against the internal chamber wall.
For small environment, it should be done after many years later.
What do you need?
Before we begin, please ready the following tools
- 2.5mm Hex Wrench
- 3mm Hex Wrench
- Food grade lubricant (3-4 ml) – Please purchase from us the high-grade lubricant for longer lasting performance
- Flat screwdriver
Can be replaced (Optional):
- Piston Gaskets ( 3 pieces)
- Shower screen
- Portafilter Gasket
Difficulty: Intermediate
The time required: 60 to 90 minutes.
Step 1:
Make sure the machine is not switched on, unplugged and is totally not hot.
Release the pressure from the steam wand and the brew chamber.
Step 2:
Make sure the lever handle is at an upright position.
Step 3:
Remove the handle.
Notes:
- Do not lose the tiny screw!
- After the tiny screw is out, unscrew the handle out.
Tool needed: 2.5mm hex wrench.
Step 4:
Remove the brew group’s cap.
Tool needed: Flat screwdriver
Step 5:
Disconnect the cables to the microswitch:
Notes:
- As the two cables look similar, and you may have difficulty identifying which goes to where later, you may want to draw a marking on them before disconnecting.
Tools needed: Flat screwdriver (Optional)
Step 6:
Remove the 4 binding screws below.
Tool needed: 3mm hex wrench.
Step 7:
Removing the top cover by removing the 4 screws.
Tool needed: 3mm hex wrench.
Step 8: (Optional)
The piston can be a little hard to pull it out from the grouphead.
We will suggest that you remove the portafilter gasket and shower screen. Then you can apply some force to push it out a little.
Note:
- You can’t push the piston out all the way.
Step 9:
This metal conduit is hindering as you pull the piston out.
For the cables to the microswitch shown below, you have to disconnect from the other end and pull the cables out from the conduit to disconnect from the main body.
Notes:
- Refer to cable at step 5. You should disconnect the cable from the other end so you can free the piston from the grouphead.
- Pull and hold the conduit down, detach it from the piston as you pull/push the piston out. Do it slowly.
- DO NOT DROP the piston after it’s removed, especially if the cable is still connected.
Step 10:
This will be the most difficult step.
Wipe off the old grease and apply a new coat of lubricant.
You will need a special kind of silicone based lubricant, which can be found from here: High grade grease
You will probably need about 5ml for this process.
If you are also replacing the lip seals, please note that the 3 seals are facing different direction, makes sure that you did not put in the wrong direction.
Notes:
- Apply food grade silicon-based lubricant generously and spread it evenly with your finger. Fill the gaps on the piston with lubricant.
- Wipe and apply a very thin layer of lubricant inside the chamber.
- DO NOT remove the springs, they are very difficult to be replaced by hand.
Step 11 (Optional):
Here are the components which you may want to obtain:
THAT IS ALL
To place back the piston, reverse the steps from step 9 with the following points to take note.
- Position the conduit back with care.
- Put the microswitch cable back and reconnect with the machine.
- It’s normal that the piston doesn’t feel smooth after assembly. Pull the piston down a couple of times so it can spread the lubricant inside.
- Do not remove the spring or other components, it is incredibly difficult to reassemble back.
