Gasket leak?

JesmondJester

I know, I know. Nothing for years and then two posts in one day. Take, take, take.

Anyway, on occasion I have noticed some drips on my portafilter handle when brewing. The portafilter seems to be firmly in the group head. I wouldn’t want to turn it much tighter.

This led me to thinking I might need to replace my gasket. Machine is 2 years old and probably had 2500 shots out through it.

I clean the shower screen, gasket, grouphead and blind flush 3 times a week.

Could my gasket need replacing?

MediumRoastSteam

JesmondJester - which machine? when was the last time you replaced the gasket?

If rubber gaskets - consider replacing them every 6 months or at least yearly. You will be able to tell if the rubber goes hard. If you have a silicone one - then there isn’t much to go wrong. I have one, it’s been 5 years… Good as new. Unless you damage them when removing from the group for cleaning the group. On that - when you cleaned the group last? What did the gasket looked like?

JesmondJester

ECM Mechanika Max, two years old and never replaced the gasket!

sounds like I need to!

dfk41

JesmondJester Greetings matey. Do you remember that Brasillia I lent you years ago? It always niggles me that the next chap that got it never returned to cfuk and that was the only point of contact I had. Of course he never made any effort to return it. My fault for trusting folks. I mentioned it, just on the off chance that you ever came across him again!

Uncletits

Cafelat Group Gasket-E61 (Red), Silicone, E61 8mm, SYNCHKG060251 https://amzn.eu/d/5Wdt4BF

This is what I fitted to my Max when I got it in April 2025

JesmondJester

Uncletits thanks! Interestingly, my gasket has 8.5mm printed on it.

JesmondJester

I do remember him and think of him every time I drive past the end of your road on the way to the beach. I call him bad names every time. I couldn’t pick him out of a line up unfortunately.

Adrianmsmith

JesmondJester I do remember him and think of him every time I drive past the end of your road on the way to the beach. I call him bad names every time. I couldn’t pick him out of a line up unfortunately.

Well, it wasn’t me 🤪

I only bring it up as I’m currently fosteringa very nice Mythos that David @dfk41 is basically giving away considering the brand new set of spare burrs and other extras 🤓😎

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/3526-eureka-mythos/41

Clodius

Yeah, I would think after 2 years the gasket is at the end of its life. That’s what people recommend, replacing it every 1-2 years depending on usage. Get a silicone one if you can, guessing it’s an e61, so that would lead you to Cafelat brand

Clodius

Nothing unusual. The Cafelat silicone gaskets come in 8 or 8.5mm sizes. I guess you know which one you need

Adrianmsmith

Clodius

Clodius Nothing unusual. The Cafelat silicone gaskets come in 8 or 8.5mm sizes. I guess you know which one you need

@JesmondJester

For the price get both and see which leaves your portafilter handle where you want it pointing

JesmondJester

Adrianmsmith great idea!

JesmondJester

Update: got an 8mm gasket from Bella Barista only because it is black. I couldn’t face a bright blue or red one popping out from an otherwise stainless steel machine with black handles and levers. They’re cheap enough to order a replacement every 6 months.

I compared the flexibility of the new one (flexed nicely with some resistance between forefinger and thumb) and the old one (instantly broke into four quarters)!

I guess it really was time to replace it.

Clodius

Good job! The gasket is not visible, I wouldn’t worry too much about the colour. The red one is supposedly better because it’s silicone instead of rubber

Adrianmsmith

The silicone ones are far superior. Last years and not visible unless looking up at the group.

They don’t go brittle either….

But glad you got it sorted.

MediumRoastSteam

Adrianmsmith Last years and not visible unless looking up at the group.

Who came up with the idea of those shot mirrors!!!!!!!! 🤣😉

Adrianmsmith

MediumRoastSteam

Wasn’t me 🤪☕😎

Some influencer or other!!

Anyway, wont be visible with PF in place, will it ?

MediumRoastSteam

Adrianmsmith - on a serious note - after using these cafelat silicone gaskets for 10 years - I would never go back to the standard rubber ones.

Adrianmsmith

MediumRoastSteam - on a serious note - after using these cafelat silicone gaskets for 10 years - I would never go back to the standard rubber ones

Definitely, 100% im surprised the rubber or nitrile or what ever they are, are still available.

On a less serious note, maybe it was @dfk41 who invented the shot mirror. I think I’ve seen posts on here where he watches each shot and analyses them in intricate detail ☕🤔 or maybe it was someone else 🥰

Theres an acs one in my accessories box!!

dfk41

MediumRoastSteam Morning, can you femember is the Elizabeth an 8.0 or 8.55 mm group seal please as I must get one in ready

dfk41

Adrianmsmith It might have been but there again I do remember having a small period of time when my meds did not work properly!

MediumRoastSteam

dfk41 - I have a Cafelat silicone gasket, 8mm, fitted. Which replaced the original 8mm rubber gasket.