ACS Minima spare parts

col

Does anyone have any tips on sourcing spare parts? I’ve sent a number of emails but no joy so far. I’m looking for a steam tap, as I think the seal or threads are worn on mine, the tap isn’t able to fully shut off, therefore my steam boiler is outbof action.

I’m based in Ireland.

Thanks in advance!

DavecUK

col sales@mevsrl.net (Maria)

col

Thanks Dave. I appreciate that.

Ovidiu

I’m looking to replace the “rubber ring” on my ACS Minima which holds the group head shower in place. Googling lets me think its called a “group head seal”, right?

https://amazon.de is my best friend but the ones I find there have the following dimensions: 73×57×8 mm or 72.7 × 57 × 8.5 mm while when measuring my old one I measure: 75×59×9 mm but it might have expanded due to age.

Which are the correct measurements for a replacement? Anything else I need to pay attention to?

DavecUK

Ovidiu 8mm is the thickness, not sure about the other measurements, I just buy E61 gaskets.

Cuprajake

cafelat group seal red or blue, they are cheap buy one of each and see which lets your portafilter lock in best

Ovidiu

Cuprajake Just FYI I googled the brand you named and found they also have green ones with these measurements which seem closer to the used one I measured after taking it out of my machine: 78mm (outer diameter) x 58mm (inner diameter) x 8.4mm thick

Ovidiu

Thanks, I thought this was exact science, but it seems it’s more like art 😂

I guess I’ll order a few different models and see which fits best as they are very cheap. They all either claim to be “Compatible as a replacement for” followed by a long list of brands or simply claim “Fits most modern E61 group heads”.

Ovidiu

Oh, and since we’re on topic, does anyone have any tips or a video of how to remove the group head seal? It took me 30 minutes of fiddling with the back of a spoon and lots of swearing to get it out. The problem is I can’t really see what I am doing as there’s no space to squeeze my head under the gasket to look what I am doing.

DavecUK

Ovidiu Oh, and since we’re on topic, does anyone have any tips or a video of how to remove the group head seal? It took me 30 minutes of fiddling with the back of a spoon and lots of swearing to get it out.

Do it a little more often, if you drop it once every few months it can be harder to get out. I drop mine every week. Make sure the back of the spoon is in the gap for the portafilter lugs.

Perhaps bookmark/sub to my YouTube

JahLaza

DavecUK would there ever be a need (routinely) to unscrew the dispersion screw on the group head? I tried at one stage on the Vesuvius when cleaning the group but it was jammed tight so I left it alone

Waitforme

I use two plastic bicycle tyre levers as to not damage the group head.

Ones like these …

Although having said that my machine is coming up 3 years old on original seal and I can just pull it out without tools. No leaking from seal when in use so I don’t see any reason to change it 🤷

DavecUK

Waitforme Although having said that my machine is coming up 3 years old on original seal and I can just pull it out without tools. No leaking from seal when in use so I don’t see any reason to change it 🤷

Go one, treat the machine, I bet it’s gone brittle.

Ovidiu

Thanks, the second video was exactly what I was looking for :-) All sorted and I think the trick with the spoon is awesome.

DavecUK

JahLaza would there ever be a need (routinely) to unscrew the dispersion screw on the group head? I tried at one stage on the Vesuvius when cleaning the group but it was jammed tight so I left it alone

Never thought about it…it probably couldn’t hurt, but you need a wide flat blade to get it off.

Eyedee

I seem to be having trouble contacting ACS, I asked for a replacement temperature probe 2 weeks ago and as yet had no reply.

I used sales @mevsrl.net and also service @acs, they sent me an automated “ticket number” but I’ve not heard anything since.

Does anyone have any ideas.

Ian

DavecUK

Eyedee I used sales @mevsrl.net and also service @acs, they sent me an automated “ticket number” but I’ve not heard anything since.

Does anyone have any ideas.

Send another e-mail, you emailed them right when they were at Host Milan 2023 and when they got back Maria was away for a while with flu.

Eyedee

Thanks Dave, unfortunately just a matter of timing.

Ian

Eyedee

Interestingly yet another email quoting the original “ticket number” didn’t seem to work either. I despair.

Ian

ian20

Does anyone know where i can get part VES0031 (i think) or a suitable non-branded replacement?

oh and a replacement plastic lid for the water reservoir?
it melted beyond recognition when the valve leaked the steam

thanks

DavecUK

ian20 Does anyone know where i can get part VES0031 (i think) or a suitable non-branded replacement?

The vacuum breaker can be sourced anywhere… it’s a ¼ inch thread.

This which is identical to your old one (probably a better choice) for £9 delivered to UK

https://www.bluestarcoffee.eu/en/gb/Universal-Coffee-Boiler-Vacuum-Valve-14-Steel/m-3118.aspx

When you remove the old one don’t throw it away, check the o ring size and buy an FKM (Viton) o ring kit from amazon, then just replace the O ring….you can do this effectively for ever.

The lid I dunno, go to a pound shop, buy a container with something the same size that will fit over the lip and put some holes in it for the tubes.

If you are not in the UK same thing applies in your country.

ian20

DavecUK Thanks Dave.