E61 Grouphead Service needed or something else

logjames

I have a Lelit MaraX V1 that 2.5 years old, which isn’t holding the brew temp range (setting zero) when idle. Sometimes times it works sometimes not. I have changed the temp probes in the past. Specifically, it cycles between .6 to 1.5 bar…almost like it’s steam boosting. Based on a group-head thermometer, I see it dropping as low as 87- 88c, which leads me to believe that it might be stalling. When it’s this low, I see the temp jump to 93-94c I when I run the pump, particularly if the pressure is up in that cycle. I do see water collect in the drip tray and the portafilter does collect a bit of water which could mean that something is leaking. I should mention that this has the OPV redirect mod. I back flush with water after making the day’s coffee but only use detergent maybe once every 3 months or so. I drop the group-head gasket twice a week to clear. I am wondering if the gaskets are not sealing in the group-head causing the thermosiphon to stall. How long should those gaskets last? What’s the recommended service interval? Perhaps I need to be using detergent more often…which involves relubing the group.

Thoughts?

DavecUK

logjames If the sealed thermosyphon is leaking it will certainly disturb the action of the PID/Temp sensor within the thermosyphon loop. Usually a leaking thermosyphon has one or both of the following symptoms.

Group goes cool after long period of non use.
There is a longer than normal delay after engaging the pump before water exits the group.

logjames

Thanks Dave! I might have caused this. I recently serviced the group-head, aka, disassembled and lubed. I think I mixed the springs. The part number for the brew valve and pre infusion springs are the same, but at a glance, one seems just slightly shorter than the other. Could it be they clipped a ring or the one is slightly compressed? In any case, I swapped them last night and I am not currently seeing this issue. In one of his videos, Mauro mentions not to mix up these springs, which I had thought odd since they have the same part number, but maybe Lelit shortens the pre-infusion spring before assembly to cut costs.🤷‍♂️

DavecUK

logjames Could it be they clipped a ring or the one is slightly compressed? In any case, I swapped them last night and I am not currently seeing this issue. In one of his videos, Mauro mentions not to mix up these springs, which I had thought odd since they have the same part number,

It might be that the springs receive a different amount of compression depending on where they are placed. With the top valve, water pressure helps hold it closed and it’s only slightly compressed more to open it. With the preinfusion spring, it’s constantly under more tension to provide an 11 to 13 bar resistance against water pressure trying to open the valve.

So yes, over time (certainly 2.5 years)…,it’s likely to be a little shorter (more compressed) and it would be good not to mix them up.