ACS Vesuvius Evo Leva

LMSC · 8 Mar

Adrianmsmith All depends how much threadlocker has been applied.

Oh those permanent threadlockers! 😩

I haven’t seen that video. IIRC, I think the locking nut which you are mentioning is attached to the chrome frame isn’t hard to remove. I would wrap the plier with some sticky tape to avoid scratching/ damaging the chrome frame. The clearance is very tight.

I had two issues a few years ago.

1) The steam wand body was very loose. I had to remove the body and reseal them with a semi-permanent thread locker.

2) Addressing the leaking steam wand copper pipe inside the machine was a joke. The worst part was it was leaking right at the back side edge of the front frame. The copper pipe elbow pipes had a generous dose of permanent thread locker. It had a tough time breaking the thread locker. I did eventually but not before damaging the elbow pipe, which had to be replaced. The fix was easy and I used PTFE than using a thread locker glue. Touch wood, so far so good. I believe Jake had a similar issue around the same time as mine.

I do not know if ACS is still using permanent thread locker. I hope they aren’t.

Adrianmsmith · 8 Mar

LMSC

@Inspirado

So, it depends what version pipework is on the back.

The issue being, the original ones had an adaptor and elbow on the back.

To make life much easier i put a 8mm compression on the back so there was no issue putting the fitting back on. With the elbow it was near impossible to get it tight and sealed and at 90.0 degrees!!

The newer one eas shipped like this as well so no issues refitting .

Original

Depending what you have , if its the elbow version, i would convert it to straight, if removing it from the machine .

But i would try to remove the valve body in situ first, being careful not to damage the chrome and ensuring the nut does not move AT ALL 😎. May be easier than you think if the valve is hot. Ensure no steam in the system!!

The issue taping the jaws is, the tape makes is very slippery and you lose a lot of grip due to the tape, and cause damage not prevent it!!. So … its up to how confident you are . The knipex pliers wrench give extreme grip and are 100% parallel as they do so .

I cant tell you what to do, just give my opinion😘

Inspirado · 9 Mar

Adrianmsmith thank you those pictures are very helpful. Turns out I have the elbow which yes I was wondering how I would ultimately get the wand oriented at the right angle when I reassembled. I’ve seen a few voices like that in the machine - where an elbow is used but it seems to make the job harder.

Anyways I was thwarted in my first attempt by not having a 14mm spanner. Had a 14mm crows foot but that doesn’t let me rotate the head to get better clearances - it’s pretty tight in there and a lot has to come off to start getting more space! To the store I suppose or just commit to taking a couple more pieces off. Maybe Maria can send a section of the new and improved pipe - European/British fittings are hard to get here.

I did learn a good trick though. Stick an old wooden broom handle under the front of the machine I’m under the rails and it makes it so much easier to roll in and out - just unweight the back a bit to roll it on the broom.

LMSC · 9 Mar

Adrianmsmith To make life much easier i put a 8mm compression on the back so there was no issue putting the fitting back on

This is a good. 👏 The mod is for another time, should it ever require. I hope I don’t have go there at all. 😀

Adrianmsmith With the elbow it was near impossible to get it tight and sealed and at 90.0 degrees!!

Yeah, tell me about it! 😀

Adrianmsmith · 9 Mar

Inspirado I did learn a good trick though. Stick an old wooden broom handle under the front of the machine I’m under the rails and it makes it so much easier to roll in and out - just unweight the back a bit to roll it on the broom.

I sit mine on a smooth chopping board (food safe!!) when working on it, upright or otherwise!!

Glides around nicely 😎

JJason1wood · 2025-03-27T19:48:57+00:00

Can I join in now???

Going back to the start of the thread to read up on some tricks and tips for the original Evo.

Absolutely love it and many many thanks to @dfk41 for letting me take this baby off his hands for a steel 😍

EEiffel · 2025-03-27T21:12:14+00:00

Welcome to the pleasures of owning a 1st Gen original Evo Leva !

You might find the linked file of interest : Vesuvius Evo Leva FAQ.docx

JJason1wood · 2025-03-27T22:14:19+00:00

Eiffel ah thanks for that, excellent reading material and some great links that’ll keep me busy. Now how to work out how to stay awake long enough to read it ☕️☕️☕️🤣🤣🤣

JJason1wood · 2025-03-28T23:53:00+00:00

If this thread is still alive, I’m after advice about the grouphead gauge. It sits idle at 2bar, there’s a screw at the rear, and presume that’s to adjust. Just unsure how to take the gauge off. Anyone have experience of doing so?

Not an issue, would just like it sat back to zero.

Also read about firmware and have machine 003 from David, so it a V1 model. Do I need to update it, if so how? 🙏

Adrianmsmith · 2025-03-29T04:31:44+00:00

Jason1wood

The whole gauge just unscrews, square nut at the back. need a very thin gauge spanner 😎 .

The screw at the back is to remove the bezel .

This type of pressure gauge has a finite life and is very cheap to replace. They are prone to become strained over time.

Mine was number 5 so sat on the same bench for assembly originally!!

I believe the firmware should be good and not require updating…….

JJason1wood · 2025-03-29T06:13:25+00:00

Adrianmsmith perfect Adrian thanks pal.

Will order a new one and maybe order the flush lever while I’m at it. 🙏👌

Adrianmsmith · 2025-03-29T10:40:39+00:00

Jason1wood

You will get a collection eventually!!

You can take off the pointer and set it to zero BUT you have no way to check calibration, except, with the evo if it starts at approx 11 bars its probable still good enough!!!

Take the gauge off . Pull off the outer bezel remove the back screw…. Its in pieces!!

Inspirado · 2025-03-29T12:34:05+00:00

Hate to be that guy but anybody heard from ACS in the past 3ish weeks? I have an email and subsequent follow up asking for the replacement parts for my steam wand valve (among a couple other things) but haven’t heard a peep.

DavecUK · 2025-03-29T13:26:07+00:00

Inspirado I have an email and subsequent follow up asking for the replacement parts for my steam wand valve (among a couple other things) but haven’t heard a peep.

Who did you contact?

Inspirado · 2025-03-29T13:36:39+00:00

sales@mevsrl.net

I have communicated with this email address in the past so assumed it was still good (also received no auto reply saying it had been changed) z

DavecUK · 2025-03-29T14:15:03+00:00

Seems to be the right address.

TTal · 2025-03-29T14:44:54+00:00

Paolo has been helping me with a problem from Sunday to Tuesday this week. But has gone quiet since.

Adrianmsmith · 2025-03-30T20:01:28+00:00

A few thoughts for evo2 and vostok owners who have the solenoid valve to dump the remaining water at the desired shot end .

The burning question “ how often should i back flush”.

The simple answer. Its not really necessary!!

4th december 2024 i had a look at the back of the shower screen and inside the cylinder.

30th march 2025, this is what i found.

Gave it a quick clean anyway

This is a minimum 3 shots per day so approx 350 shots minimum without doing anything but pull shots.

The bottom piston seal was in need of a smear of molykote.

Lever Action was smooth this morning. its silky smooth now again!!

GGrunta · 2025-04-04T19:01:28+00:00

I have a little leak from where the 90-degree fitting comes out of the boiler and goes into the copper pipe, once I take it out what would be the proper sealant to use. Thanks in advance for your help.

Adrianmsmith · 2025-04-04T19:54:27+00:00

Grunta

Ptfe tape is about the best.

Ive never had anything remotely similar though so could he wrong 🤪

You need a medium weight tape.

Do not be tempted to over tighten the fitting.

If its tight and just past the 90 degree spot you need start again with more tape. Count how many wraps so you get it right the second time.

Will say this again as it is important. DO NOT be tempted to over tighten it or you will regret it!!

Simple fix. Big mistake if you get it wrong 😎😂

Will answer your next question tomorrow about how to remove it. Its easy btw . BUT Do NOT try to do anything with the back of the valve the pipe goes to .