MediumRoastSteam yes, I think it should. What I’m trying to say is, if you do run the machine with the connector broken, no seater should really come out out of it - maybe a tiny amount from the OPV if the pressure goes over 12 bar.
If steam comes out of the safety valve, the. It will be very obvious now and you’d be able to spot it.
Sorry I’ve been away for a few days. Yes after warming the machine up without that three way connector steam constantly escapes from the safety valve. I have a replacement valve but getting a wrench to fit is impossible. Do I need to remove that large copper tube leading to the group head or is there another way?
I thought my anti vacuum valve was bad but it must be the safety valve
MediumRoastSteam run the machine with the connector broken, no seater should really come out out of it - maybe a tiny amount from the OPV if the pressure goes over 12 bar.
The expansion valve (OPV) will pass water after every shot, and when warming up.
DavecUK The expansion valve (OPV) will pass water after every shot, and when warming up.
Out of curiosity Dave, will the expansion valve pass water after every shot even if the machine has a rotary pump?
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thusband Right, but the safety valve shouldn’t pass steam all the time should it
It should never pass steam, ever, unless:
- the pressure in the boiler is higher than the safety valve rating - that would be it doing its job, to protect against over pressure in the boiler and eventual explosion.
- The safety valve is faulty.
If you have isolated to the safety valve passing steam, you need to replace it.
MediumRoastSteam It should never pass steam, ever, unless:
the pressure in the boiler is higher than the safety valve rating - that would be it doing its job, to protect against over pressure in the boiler and eventual explosion.
The safety valve is faulty.If you have isolated to the safety valve passing steam, you need to replace it.
Steam escaping all the time so it needs to be replaced. Now the challenge is to remove it without pulling everything else off to do it.
I wonder why there aren’t any ‘how to videos’ on it? At least I haven’t come across any.
thusband I wonder why there aren’t any ‘how to videos’ on it? At least I haven’t come across any.
On the Elizabeth:
Same principle. Good luck!
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MediumRoastSteam Out of curiosity Dave, will the expansion valve pass water after every shot even if the machine has a rotary pump?
Yes it will.
thusband Right, but the safety valve shouldn’t pass steam all the time should it? Is there a trick to removing the safety valve without having to remove the copper tube to the group head?
as @MediumRoastSteam has said, it shouldn’t be passing water. The only time it can do that and not be faulty, is if the steam boiler was overfilling. If that was the case you would be mentioning other symptoms.
You should be able to get that fitting off with an open ended spanner? If that doesn’t work, more angled variants will. Remember tappy tappy, not torquey torquey
MediumRoastSteam On the Elizabeth:
Same principle. Good luck!
Yes, thanks, that explains it and I did see this one. However the layout of the Elizabeth is quite a bit different as access on the Bianca is really difficult. Also the open end wrench used is 17mm. A 17mm is too big for the Bianca valve, maybe it’s a 15.
I’ll need to loosen or remove the steam pipes. I was hoping there would be an easier way.
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thusband Yes, maybe a different angle. I like your tappy tappy. Light taps with a hammer right?
If you’re me, light taps with a pin hammer, possibly. If you’re not me, light taps with a bigger spanner (which often I do). Light taps with a big hammer…no. Also shock both ways if it won’t come loose in the loosen direction, obviously don’t shock in the tighten direction too hard.
it’s a shame there are no multi hit open ended impact spanners
Success! I really want to thank both @DavecUK and @MediumRoastSteam for their help and patience. I’m a total rookie digging into the guts of this thing but it really wasn’t that hard after all.