Any dual boiler servicing centres in South East?

Hotmetal

Hi guys, glad to see familiar faces still here and ever more members.

As some of you know, I’ve got a very very early Rocket R58. It’s never had a problem cos I’ve used water from Volvic or my Osmio zero.

However I think it might be time for a descaling (how can I tell?) and also the lever ‘droops’ sometimes and stops the pump, unless I keep my eye on it and lift it up if I see it drop.

The reason I am wondering about descaling is that I’ve noticed relatively recently that when I start a shot or warm up the machine, there’s a gurgling sound as if air is in the system, but this stops when pressure is achieved.

I’m not confident doing stuff inside the machine, all I’ve ever done is cafiza backflushing then pulling the lever out for a HT silicone grease every so often. I’m guessing there’s some wear to those parts after 9 years of constant use?

I spoke to BB and they said it’ll be a month before I can book it in, I have to deliver/ collect to and from them, it’ll be about £350 and that doesn’t include the valve cam/followers.

I can live with the wait, but I’m wondering if there’s anywhere a bit nearer than BB (I’m between Slough and Heathrow area).

Anybody know any places that can do such a service on an R58? This is more ‘prevention’ than fixing as it works well enough but seems a bit rattly and 9 years of careful use and basic upkeep might mean it would need a pro eye on it. Cheers, Paul

DavecUK

Try these guys

https://coffeebay.co.uk/product-category/machines-grinders/espresso-machines/

Hotmetal

Thanks Dave, I’ve emailed them, I will report back.

Cuprajake

You can test the water out the steam boiler to see the levels

The lever could just be a case of new seals or worn internals.

It’s daunting to do but is fairly easy. Once you get in there.

But I totally get not wanting to do it, it’s not something I like doing.

Hotmetal

Cheers Jake. Yeah I know the seals in the cam shaft are gone, which won’t help. It only does it sometimes. I’m thinking though it might be worth getting new cam at the same time as I’m sure it must have wear despite my lubing it after backflush. As for the air in the system that’s more than I can take on, I don’t have the time, tools or knowledge. BB said they wouldreplace the group gasket and vacuum breaker as a matter of course, but I’ve got a Cafelat group gasket so that’s no point, and not sure why I would need the vacuum breaker replaced “just in case”? Steam tap seals probably worth replacing anyway. So I think I’d rather just take it to someone who knows what they’re doing. Even BB said if they descale they just keep flushing until the descaler is diluted to homeopathic levels, rather than take the boilers out. But I know if I descale it, knowing my luck it would dislodge a small piece of scale (if there is any) and probably cause more trouble. As you can tell, I’m reluctant to get stuck in and just want to find someone who is competent without having to go to BB and back twice!

Hotmetal

Well that’s a very promising start, they responded to my email immediately saying they can do servicing and I only need to wait a week because the engineer is away, and they expect to turn it round in a week too. Even taking into account I’ll have to pay the ULEZ twice it’s better than waiting a month and then making 2 long trips to BB’s service centre. If the job goes smoothly I’ll be well chuffed. Cheers 👍

DavecUK

Hotmetal John Green is a good guy and the company has been servicing machines for decades.

Hotmetal

Thanks Dave, that gives me great confidence knowing that my beloved machine will be in trusted hands.

I’m sure BB are good too but John is much closer and a shorter queue too.

Thanks again for the recommendation.