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Home > TECH TIPS > Olympia Cremina Group Maintenance NAG
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Hello....this is your Olympia Cremina technician speaking.....and I am going to NAG you.....MAINTAIN YOUR GROUP!!!!!! Geez Louise!! Do you change the oil in your car? Do you put new batteries in your remote? Brush your teeth?
A quality espresso machine is built to last FOREVER!! No plastic parts...no planned obsolescence here, but you have to keep up your end of the bargain and maintain the machine!! It's easy and satisfying and just takes a few minutes at most to keep up good maintenance habits and keep your machine going forever.....and avoid the scorn of your espresso machine technician.
First.....CLEAN THE SCREEN.
Here you see a pretty toxic example of dispersion screen negligence....there might be 10 open holes in the screen and gunk all over....not likely to make a tasty cup of espresso with this,,,,,more likely your guests will be wondering "what is that odd taste?" YUM!
You don't have to clean it every day, or even every week. Pick a maintenance schedule, let's say every two weeks or even once a month. Remove the screen by whatever method. I use an old fashioned paint can opener, the kind with a flat hook end (they are free at most paint/hardware stores). Find the edge of the screen with the hook end and pull straight down....the screen usually pops off. I you can't do this, take off the top rod nuts, remove the front lever pin and bonk the rod down with a wood mallet to pop off the screen into your waiting hand. Drop the screen into some Joe Glo, brush it with a toothbrush, inspect and snap back into place. While you are in there wipe off the piston face with a cloth or paper towel. SIMPLE!
Next....LUBE THE LEVER PINS
Here you see one of the most tragic and AVOIDABLE situations on an Olympia Cremina....the worn rear lever pin slot. I should say the DESTROYED rear lever pin slot. This group is on its last legs due to lack of maintenance. This did not happen because of bad luck or improper casting...it happened because the owner DID NOT LUBRICATE THE LEVER PINS! This is what happens.....the lever pins become dry and lack any surface lubrication. Olympia makes their pins from hardened tool steel, which CAN RUST. Water gets in between the roller bearing and the pin and forms a layer of rust. This oxidation lock the pin to the roller bearing creating a nice little tool to massage the brass, over and over, day in and day out....think of a rolling pin with a solid handle. Sooner or later the pins freeze into the lever yoke holes and your metal working tool becomes more effective in enlarging that hole...it gouges and it pushes and moves the metal over and over....abrasion also takes place and the tool steel pin and stainless steel bearing are just fine but that brass takes all the stress until it all begins to wobble sideways and scores the chrome from the top group tower.
To repair this group you will have to find a very good metallurgist who is willing to braze the hole, drill and mill, and replate the group. Olympia DOES NOT GIVE THESE GROUPS AWAY! In fact, you may not be able to get a new one at all! What's the answer?.......LUBRICATION! PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE!
Simply lubricate the pins. That's all. Use nsf oil, or take out the pins and lube with DOW 111, or even a drop or two of olive oil. OR even motor oil or 3 in 1 or for pete's sake vegetable oil. Keep these parts lubricated and free moving and you will never find yourself facing the most extensive and expensive repair job ever on your machine.
And Lastly....LUBE THE CYLINDER
A well lubricated cylinder is essential for proper piston function. When the cylinder walls become dry the seals drag and wear rapidly, depositing rubber bits on the walls of the cylinder. These cylinders leave the factory as smooth as a baby's backside and non lubrication causes degradation of all of the sealing and seating surfaces inside of this very crucial part of your espresso machine. When you clean the screen, just raise the piston and reach up with a rag and wipe out the residue and apply a thin coat of DOW 111 or equivalent. This will keep the action smooth and the seals will last and last. Just a little lube will do, every few weeks.
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