With Rancilio Silvia: Is it possible to adjust the position of the boiler/grouphead ?

[TV ()]

In another post I wrote that I get uneven pours from my Rancilio Silvia. In other words, the left cup fills quicker than the right cup. I thought that the machine was level
(checked with a level on top of Silvia). However, by putting the level underneath and against the grouphead, I recently discovered that the grouphead itself is not level. On
second thought it is clearly visible when you look at the front of Silvia. The gap between the grouphead and the housing on the left side is considerable larger than on the
right side. For the time being I solved it by putting 2 coins (about 5mm in thickness totally, which gives an idea of the deviation) underneath both of the left feet, and now
my pours are reasonably even again.
Is it however possible to adjust the position of the grouphead or the boiler (are they fixed to each other ?) and if so, can I do that myself and how ? I already opened the
machine, but at first sight I cannot find out how to do it. Of course I can go back to the shop where I bought it, but that will be a little complicated because I have a PID
attached to it and will have to remove that to prevent damage etc. So I prefer to correct it myself if possible.
TIA.
Ton


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[daveb]

Remove the back shell and the pump shield.

there are 2 large bolts holding the boiler / group to the frame. You
may want to try there.

Dave
www.hiechespresso.com

[Ton]

Thanks Dave, but does that mean I have to file or are the holes slotted
so that there is room for adjustment ?

[Ton]

Thanks Dave, but does that mean I have to file or are the holes slotted
so that there is room for adjustment ?

[Eric Svendson]

What Dave said is certainly correct but here is a little more detail.

Use a small magnetic tip philips screwdriver to remove the two M3 screws at
the top holding the rear shell. There is an additional philips head screw
at the bottom of the shell accessible via a slot in the pump shield. You do
not need to remove this screw but do need to loosen it maybe one or two
turns as the rear shell is slotted for it at the bottom.

The boiler/grouphead can be adjusted vertically about 1/8" max but first you
should remove the small machine screw that "fixes" the front shell to the
grouphead. Also, keep in mind that when you put the level underneath you
were measuring the "levelness" of the chrome cover for the grouphead.

Ain't Silvia fun, though?

Eric S.

Post by TV ()
In another post I wrote that I get uneven pours from my Rancilio Silvia.
In other words, the left cup fills quicker than the right cup. I thought
that the machine was level
(checked with a level on top of Silvia). However, by putting the level
underneath and against the grouphead, I recently discovered that the
grouphead itself is not level. On
second thought it is clearly visible when you look at the front of Silvia.
The gap between the grouphead and the housing on the left side is
considerable larger than on the
right side. For the time being I solved it by putting 2 coins (about 5mm
in thickness totally, which gives an idea of the deviation) underneath
both of the left feet, and now
my pours are reasonably even again.
Is it however possible to adjust the position of the grouphead or the
boiler (are they fixed to each other ?) and if so, can I do that myself
and how ? I already opened the
machine, but at first sight I cannot find out how to do it. Of course I
can go back to the shop where I bought it, but that will be a little
complicated because I have a PID
attached to it and will have to remove that to prevent damage etc. So I
prefer to correct it myself if possible.
TIA.
Ton
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Posted with NewsLeecher v3.8 Beta 6
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[Ton]

Post by Eric Svendson
The boiler/grouphead can be adjusted vertically about 1/8" max but first you
should remove the small machine screw that "fixes" the front shell to the
grouphead. Also, keep in mind that when you put the level underneath you
were measuring the "levelness" of the chrome cover for the grouphead.
Eric S.

Thanks Eric.
But this chrome cover is where the PF is locked in and its position
decides whether the PF is level or not isn't it ? Or am I wrong ?
Anyhow when there is only room for 1/8" (= around 3mm) adjustment that
will not be enough for me because the coins that I put underneath the
feet to get it level, are 5mm thick.
I think I will keep the coins under it.

[Randy G.]

Post by Ton
Thanks Eric.
But this chrome cover is where the PF is locked in and its position
decides whether the PF is level or not isn't it ? Or am I wrong ?
Anyhow when there is only room for 1/8" (= around 3mm) adjustment that
will not be enough for me because the coins that I put underneath the
feet to get it level, are 5mm thick.
I think I will keep the coins under it.

If it is still under warranty, take it back.

Randy "for that much money, it should be perfect" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

[Ton]

Post by Randy G.
If it is still under warranty, take it back.
Randy "for that much money, it should be perfect" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

When the warranty is for 1 year than it's unfortunately over. However,
maybe I can convince the shop that it already exists from the start. I
will give it a try next week.

[Randy G.]

Post by Ton

Post by Randy G.
If it is still under warranty, take it back.
Randy "for that much money, it should be perfect" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

When the warranty is for 1 year than it's unfortunately over. However,
maybe I can convince the shop that it already exists from the start. I
will give it a try next week.

Check which credit card you used to purchase it. Some cards will
double the manufacturer's warranty up to an additional one year on
purchases on new goods. If you can get the shop to state that it was a
manufacturing defect and that it would have been covered by warranty
in writing you may be able to get it fixed or replaced... Just a
thought.


Randy "" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

[daveb]

Here is a simple way = shave off or grind off a few mms from the high
side rubber feet!

or install screw adjustable feet!

dave

161.5

[Eric Svendson]

Ton -

Although what I said is correct re the chrome plated group cover, perhaps I
was being a little too anal - sorry. It would be relatively easy to see
whether there is a significant dimensional difference between the chrome
cover and the brass group on the bottom, i.e. typically the chrome cover
extends about 1 mm or less below the brass group all the way around.

When you try to "rotate" the boiler grouphead (GH) within the slotted
adjustments to obtain a level GH, there is some play but not much. The pure
vertical movement I mentioned is available but that doesn't translate into a
1/8" rotation capability. To alter those slots is pretty easy if the
machine is taken apart somewhat and you really don't need to alter much.
The rationale being that a 5.0 mm adjustment at a leg is the equivalent of
ABOUT a 2.0 mm movement at the GH. Think in terms of radius, circle, & arc.

Eric S.

Post by Ton

Post by Eric Svendson
The boiler/grouphead can be adjusted vertically about 1/8" max but first
you should remove the small machine screw that "fixes" the front shell to
the grouphead. Also, keep in mind that when you put the level underneath
you were measuring the "levelness" of the chrome cover for the grouphead.
Eric S.

Thanks Eric.
But this chrome cover is where the PF is locked in and its position
decides whether the PF is level or not isn't it ? Or am I wrong ?
Anyhow when there is only room for 1/8" (= around 3mm) adjustment that
will not be enough for me because the coins that I put underneath the feet
to get it level, are 5mm thick.
I think I will keep the coins under it.