Bianca lever movement

Gav86

Afternoon,

Having cleaned and greased the e61 recently, I’ve just noticed a bit of lateral movement on the e61 lever when the group reaches 9 bar, it then moves back once the pressure is released.

I don’t recall it doing this previously! Could anyone confirm this is normal or if I’ve missed something in my greasing.

Video is here:

Tia

DavecUK

Gav86 It’s the magic trying to get out….just put a balled up towel on the right, so if it flies out, you can catch it.

Just joking…It’s perfectly normal behaviour for E61 machines.

Gav86

🤣

As it’s my first e61 it’s all new to me but am getting great espresso. I have started to record some shots and will some time create a small thread of the fun I’m having.

As ever, thanks @DavecUK for confirming so quickly

BigTTony

Which greasing up instructions did you follow? I’m a month into my own Bianca and feel like I need to do it. I owned an expobar brewtus for 8 years and never did anything other that the occasional backflush and screen clean, so I’m hoping that greasing regularly will look after the Bianca a bit better.

Gav86

BigTTony this is the regime I am following: https://www.coffeeforums.co.uk/threads/lelit-bianca-care-question.61729/

Regarding a specific video on e61 maintenance, there are a few on whole latte love on you tube or the previous owner sent me some too. Let me dig those links out

Gav86

This is the flow control lube video:

Gav86

I think this was the e61 video I followed. Its quite long but I think in time should only take 10mins to do once i get some experience.

I’m sure others may link some better videos?

BigTTony

Thanks for both of these, much appreciated. I think the second one is more in line with the thinking of what I need to do as it incorporates greasing the lever mechanism as well.

Gav86

BigTTony yes the second vid is to lube the cams etc.

The first is the maintain the flow control and to replace some of the o rings which are a replaceable item.

Cuprajake

Don’t forget the safety adjustable spanner

Gav86

Cuprajake I’ve used an adjustable wrapped in electrical tape!

Did you take apart the lever housing? I’ve circled the part in question. It was too tight at the time so I got some lube into it and will get it apart next time

BigTTony

Gav86 good tip re the electric tape. I’ve previously used a teatowel, but the metal penetrates through the cloth so this will be a good way of avoiding any damages or dinks. I think this is the main reason I didn’t bother with my expobar as visible dinks devalue it much more than an ungreased lever.

Cuprajake

Yeah I had all three bits out, so lower valve, the lever, and the flow control.

Gav86

Cuprajake same here, did you manage to split the lever housing (the two nuts as circled previously)?

DavecUK

Gav86 You only open that when you need to replace the spindle o rings in 5 or 6 years…otherwise just grease the spindle.

Cuprajake

No don’t think so

Gav86

DavecUK thanks, thats good to know

BigTTony

DavecUK sorry Dave, just to clarify, when you say grease the spindle do you mean the cam lever thing on the second video?

DavecUK

BigTTony the lever bit you twiddle when making a shot has a long spindle attached that terminates in a cam. That spindle, and the orings inside the tube that it passes through, need lubrication to ensure it lasts a long time before leaking at the spindle near the lever.

BigTTony

DavecUK thanks Dave, I haven’t watched the second video all the way through, but I’m hoping it covers all the aspects you’ve mentioned. I’ve just bought some grease so I’ll get onto this as soon as it arrives.

Gav86

BigTTony it’ll make sense when you take it to bits. It’s fairly simple but I took my time the first time around to look after the shiney bits!