Espresso machine - Service and rebuild an E61 coffee group

Walking through my routine for servicing an E61 group - disassembly, refurbishment of tap assemblies and components, and reassembly. This video is broadly compatible with all generic E61 groups common on domestic espresso machines. There are some differences in parts and procedures across brands, particularly VBM/Vibiemme, but the principles are the same. I hope this is useful for your home servicing!

[@austinado16]

Well done Rick! I know this took a ton of time to video and edit, and am extremely appreciative of you putting it all together. I just went from zero knowledge of the E61, let alone how to rebuild it, to "oh, no problem." 2 things I need to get through: a 26mm spanner, and a CD of some sweet club jazz. Great job! Your master tech skill level is impressive.

[@b3owu1f]

Wow.. I gotta say.. I been watching 100s of tutorial videos on all sorts of subjects.. and this has got to be about the best one I have seen. Your details, information, lighting, the closeups, etc.. thank you so much for this incredible video! Very well done. I have had my Profitec500 for almost a year and my lever was sticking, and it wasn't building up much pressure... assumed these machines last years without any maintenance due to only using it once a day for a couple shots, but learned that no.. I need to backflush this thing every week, clean it thoroughly every 6 to 8 weeks, and once a year do a maintenance similar to what you show here. My understanding is that what you have here is a bit more than I should need to do every year.. maybe every few years? I don't think I use it enough.. but now that I know that I need to backflush/use cleaner/etc, I am hoping I will keep it working better for longer.

[@robertpayer994]

What a great tutorial, very comprehensive and well performed. Thank you so much for your time and effort, much appreciated..cheers

[@rickbond4262]

Thanks Robert! Glad it was useful

[@magnushudson2342]

i know Im randomly asking but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost the password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@magnushudson2342]

@Layton Messiah thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@magnushudson2342]

@Layton Messiah it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much, you really help me out!

[@laytonmessiah8197]

@Magnus Hudson Glad I could help :D

[@andrewwong803]

This by far the most informative demonstration of an e61 grouphead service. I was able to perform a variation of this as I was able to source a rebuild kit for my grouphead and replace all the components rather than service them. This video provides a lot of tips in the order of assembly/disassembly that will enable one to perform this service with a great referencing resource. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@philmartin6545]

Just completed my first service on my Rocket Giotto. Couldn't have done without this vid. Thanks Rick!

[@the510wagon]

Great video mate. Couldn't have made a better one - camera angles, editing, explanations for each step. Super useful. Much thanks.

[@willbmw]

Thanks Rick! I'm glad I found the channel. I look forward to doing all my own maintenance and your instruction makes me feel confident that iI can achieve this.

[@johnbuncle7127]

Agree with Kevin, absolutely magnificent video. Very similar E61 configuration on a Vibiemme Replica single and the step by step is brilliant. I'm handy but have never serviced a coffee machine before and I worked through its step by step. I had to play some spots over and over to recognise the parts and how to pull apart (and to see it to reassemble as my memory is not what it used to be). Even the little tips (the washer is there it may be hidden) turned out to be true. I would not have had the confidence to pull apart the pins without watching this [indeed didn't realise they were multi-parts]. I found a break-out picture of all parts but still seeing it coming apart and going back together was perfect instructions guide for me. Saved a fortune and learnt the mechanics of the coffee machine. The guy who charged us $300 a service 3 times over 10 years never did anything except the group head seal and maybe the steam valve (ie never truly serviced the machine at all in 16 years) so it really was a first time rebuild/service. Am peeved to find out the service guy never did his job properly. It had all original gasket assemblies which had started leaking and scaling was horrendous. Turned out to be the group drain assembly that was the real leak (not shown in his video) but I had effectively learnt how to pull apart the whole machine through this video and it is the same assembly valve as one of the groupset. Brilliant video thanks heaps!!!!

[@gee00wizz]

This is a sensational video. Thanks Rick very much for taking the time to make it and for putting so much information into our hand. Kudos!

[@Halekini]

Thank you so much for this video. My Vetrano is about 13 years old and the E61 hasn't been touched until now. Naturally the moving parts are about worn out, but you've shown me exactly what parts to buy and how to do the job. Very appreciated. I have it apart and parts ordered. I'll be back for a refresher when the time comes to put it back together!

[@brettcampbell5474]

Great video Rick. Most helpful. I currently have some water dripping through the drain as the shot is happening and this gives me a bit of confidence to have a look and see if I can replace any worn bits in there.

[@chikwambozvikwambo7037]

Was grateful and highly honoured to master this lecture . Hope to see more of these educative videos.

[@chestercopperpot3793]

Excellent video. Just inherited an ECM Giotto Premium with a bit of a notchy group head lever and a busted hot water valve. Ordered a bunch of new parts and going to do exactly this. Thank you very much!

[@GaryGolbraich]

Incredible video mate! Thank you so much for such a great tutorial! Helped me quite a lot cleaning my E61 group. Thank you !

[@Anadrol88]

Best video on the subject by far ! Thank you very much, it is much appreciated !

[@GerritQuast]

Thank you for this helpful walk-through! Just did that for my Profitec 700. Works nicely now again!

[@guidogaravello]

Very complete grouphead maintenance and well explained in any single detail. ☕🧑‍🔧

[@stephenqueen6946]

Thanks for the video! For those looking for -precisely- when he's chucking the cams back on the head, reference: Top mushroom, in: Bottom release, out: If you know maths or quadrants, and imagine the cam as a sector, it's as if the 'sector' is in the 2nd bordering third quadrant, at t:33-34m or so. And then the arm goes on at ~180 degrees, it seems. But yes, watching this made me realise, oh dear, all my seals need replacing.

[@stevewalsh5479]

Thank you for making this video. I have 8 year old Quickmill Vetrano that has water running out the exhaust while pulling a shot. Shots take forever and they're weak, obviously. I bought a set of E61 gaskets and plan to spend my Sunday replacing them all.

[@cmscss]

Once again, thank you for taking the time to make this video - very much appreciated.

[@haijiazhu3148]

This is definitely the BEST tutorial!

[@garyschneider1782]

I love it! So easy and I can't imagine life without my Keurig now.

[@kengreen3575]

Thanks for the great video tutorial Rick. Just about to service the E61 on my Lelit Marax.

[@dreamingdo]

Thanks Rick. Your video saved me a $200.00 plus service call.

[@saidaksas928]

Wow mate is the reaction, amazingly explained, straight to the point and very informative and methodical, last but not least very very well organised with tools layout, the bit of cloth under the tools wow again, very smooth mate, Thank you very much, best video watched this year, Will go to bed less stupid tonight

[@thecoffee2820]

Thank you for Sharing Service Espresso Machine 👍

[@edelweys]

Thanks for helping: I hit a snag reinstalling the lever, but your video provided the solution.

[@josephhancock5269]

Great video on the E61 group head. Thank you for the information.

[@manhso5549]

Rick is good, he rebuild my Faema President espresso machine for me many years ago, very happy with his work.

[@SuperNova-Steve]

Thanks for this Vid. I clean my sieve in an ultrasonic cleaner. Comes out like new. Really appreciate this Vid, thanks again.

[@gGauthier]

Perfect tutorial. Thanks you. Very Professional.

[@shauns_brewbar]

Such an amazing video and very thorough. Thankyou

[@matt02468]

good video. one tip is to wrap the mushroom head hex with electrical or masking tape to prevent scratching it when you put a wrench on it. cheers mate.

[@andreube]

Great video and much appreciated Rick.

[@Inspectergadget69]

Good video and helpful. I use Leaf Bean Machine here in Perth for my Wega Mini Nova Classic. It is great to know what is involved though in servicing these machines.

[@humstrumbangtwang]

Great video and talk through guide. Thanks.

[@professorlee3114]

Really nicely done.

[@jonnyfleur81]

So I had a returning cam on the flush side\ pressure relief full down position. This video gave me the idea to measure my rod/pin length. You said it was suppose to be 12.7 mm. Sure enough mine was 11.7 since new?.... I backed it off 1 mm and 7 years worth of annoying behaviour was fixed!. I have ordered a couple washers to put in there rather than leaving it loose but in the meantime works great. I also took a file to top of rod to ensure it was flat but that was not the real fix. I also tried often to remove shower head but was worried about stripping. After seeing this I got it done. Thanks for this.

[@jeromemartucci111]

Thanks so much, awesome detailed video, well done….

[@ichallengemydog]

Very thorough guide. Thanks!

[@andylogan5688]

Mate, that is a great video, thank you for taking the time! BTW i enjoyed the music and was thinking that the volume was perfect to enjoy and hear what you were saying easily :) Now to browse your other videos

[@Eiji_Kisaragi]

well done!!! really enjoy your videos!

[@user-oz7ob1em1c]

Thank you for your excellent explanations! God Bless❤

[@dalerbsr.5061]

Thanks Rick, awesome video..

[@adventurebranding]

very informative, such a generous video, thank you!

[@ozespresso]

Well explained and executed as always.

[@gervaisc911]

thank you very much for the video. Well done, I am able to see the faulty parts in my Isomac Millenium machine.

[@anders.svensson]

Great tutorial! Very much appreciated! :)

[@EricClaeren]

Amazing video, thanks!

[@BaldurM]

Very good information. Thank you for the video!

[@larrypinter3321]

Very well done. Thorough and informative. I would just advise that because the group is exposed chromed plated I would wrap some masking tape around the nuts before removing them. But again, well presented.

[@kaptainjack7605]

Great tutorial, as a tech. I really appreciate it, wish the music was a bit down, would be easier to hear Rick

[@jeffhirata]

Great review. Thanks!!!

[@Mario-bv6hd]

Wow!! Very helpful!!! Thank you very much!!!!

[@user-rt8qk2nt8u]

I love this video!!

[@abdelkader1467]

Amazing video !

[@bertbeekvander3145]

Nice job!

[@OttoRolloff]

Great tutorial! May I ask if you're planning to show how to dial with other parts like the boiler, how to deal with limestone and so on? Thank you very much anyway!

[@kenjiwalter5024]

Great tutorial thanks for sharing. Was wondering would you ever put a thin layer of food safe grease on the threads of the e61 components to make it easier to service in the future?

[@jrm8024]

great vid!

[@donniezhang4890]

geart video, the handle kidney Installation location is very important,otherwise it will leak water.i have learn it,Thanks

[@wytties3399]

thx fantastic video👍

[@jiddyification]

Thanks for such a great detailed video! Are you planning to do one for descaling of a dual boiler? And would you recommend preventative descaling, or only when there’s signs of serious build up? I’m two years into a profitec 600. Soft Canberra water and regular maintenance. Mushroom still looks really clean. Only build up is a few spots on the brass valves. Thanks!

[@elgordo543]

Thank you

[@TobyFireandSteel]

Man that's such a great video thanks heaps. Will this fix water leaking out of the exhaust for a minute or so after lever is shut. Sometimes it makes an audible donk noise of it own accord which stops the leak. Hope that makes sense cheers

[@taufanekaharianto9581]

amazing

[@jobamigaful]

Thanks for this. Really clear and informative. Any advice on how to unlock tight or stuck nuts on the E61? I have a Rocket Giotto which is several years old and while I have serviced the group head lever before I have never removed the lower part of the brew head. Recently the exhaust valve has started to leak all the time so I suspect I need to change out some of the seals in the lower part of the grouphead. However all of the nuts on the exhaust valve seem to be completely stuck. I have used some WD40 but it hasn't seemed to make a difference. I suspect there may be some limescale buildup in the valve as well. Any advice? I do not want to break anything or cause damage to the machine.

[@vinni8137]

Nice Tutorial, thank you! So now I have a question. I have a rocket appartamento and I unscrewed the top part of the group, but it seems like the ceramic part of the mushroom is broken. In my opinion I do not get a hot coffee because it tastes very sour and I don’t think that It reaches 90+ degrees celcius. Could the broken mushroom be the reason? In the inner part I can also see some scaling. How can I remove that without damaging the group? Thanks in advance

[@leicmyucous9073]

great video , i would say only 1 draw back the music is distracting from the excellent presentation ,sorry to say but thank you

[@Alessio8]

Thanks fo the video! Does the orientation of the star lock washer matter? Should the jagged edge press against the nut or the lever?

[@trevorjohnson6805]

Hi Rick, thank you for this great video. My mushroom is made of ceramic will not come out. When I unscrew the top big nut, it screws out of the mushroom. you got an idea how to remove it? Thanks

[@themuleify]

In this category of machines, which do you consider the best in terms of low maintenance, reliability, consistency, temp stability, etc.? I know it's not a straightforward, simple answer, but your insight will be valuable.

[@noidle22]

Great video, excellent production, comprehensive and informative. When you address removing the pin on the valves to access the seals and the possibility of breaking them, I've noticed on the ones I've broken that there appears to be loctite on them. Why do you think some manufacturers do this? Is there any benefit to loctiting the pins onto the threads? I can't imagine there would be as it's not really under intense stress. Also is there any reason you prefer MX6 over Moly 111 for lever pin lubrication?

[@johnmcleish3404]

If you check out the INOX website you will see that MX6 meets Australian and International requirements as an extremely safe product in food applications. It’s also very price competitive. Also other INOX products such as MX3 are highly regarded by many industries due to their outstanding performance. I have used MX3 for decades for electronic / mechanical repairs and wouldn’t have any hesitation using MX6 in my ECM Technika IV coffee machine.

[@rickbond4262]

Hi Madik, I have no idea why manufacturers love to loctite these parts. There is really no need. Applying heat with a heat gun or torch to the pin will significantly increase your chances of removing it without breaking it! Moly 111 is completely fine too, I prefer MX6 here as it's a bit more viscous, which is an advantage for moving parts.

[@HonigMacher]

very good! Thx. :)

[@ironmantooltime]

Great stuff. Whats the typical cost of an e61 service?

[@bonakhan9936]

Where can I buy the part for megacream coffee machine thanks

[@lewischaisson5490]

when you put the adjustable on the chrome plaited nut my heart sank.You should always protect the finish with

[@fdepalma2007]

Thank you for your video. I have a Lelit PL62T coffee maker with PID. And when I turn it on the blue light on the boiler does not come on. I was told it was because it was scaled. I was told that it was not difficult to descale. Can you confirm this? Do you have a video for this? Thank you.

[@JusBThankful]

Rick, being someone who's done a frame up tear down and rebuild of a Rocket Giotto Premium Plus HX machine myself, what "money no object" upgrades would you do to a machine like this, that could have a tangible impact in performance and consistency? I know things like PID and Flow control are pretty popular, but I'm talking a little more bleeding edge, things like dual boiler conversion, exotic pump upgrade (rotary, gear pump, inboard or outboard, etc) significant thermal stability upgrades, etc... What would the coffee machinist do given the time and potential for substantial performance improvement?

[@lucaspatterson]

Where did you get your e61 rebuild kit from?

[@milijaradicevic7011]

I have Krups Siziliana coffee machine. On this machine hot water and steam go through the same pipe, when I accsidentally tried to use steam before the machine heated up enough. Now i can only heard the pump inside, but no water or steam are going out. Do you know how to fix it?

[@dharm9902]

I thought the video was great Rick. Very informative. Looks like there are people that have never been in a workshop- there’s always music in the background. Keep up the good work. Where are you based?

[@brozbro]

Are each of the three springs equal and interchangeable? After reassembly, when purging with a blank, there is a pressure relief and water flows from the lower group. Likewise, when brewing; overflow gets released thru the lower group.

[@howyan]

how old is the rocket you are servicing in this video?

[@chordabord]

I took your advice and didn't tighten the mushroom big nut "stupidly" tight and I got leakage as soon as I tested it. I tightened a bit more and still got leakage from the same spot when I made espresso. So, in the end I ended up tightening even more when I saw a drip as the machine was warming up again. Can't understand it. New gaskets, followed instruction video.

[@chordabord]

Follow up-I took it apart again, looked over the parts(I had left off the main gasket to the rocker arm assy-duh!), and reassembled all three sections. No leaks!I don't know what had caused the mushroom to leak, but it didn't the second time around. Cheers!

[@cyril185]

Hi! I ordered an overhaul kit for e-61 from eBay, but some components seem to have slightly different shapes. Is it know in the industry that there are several e-61 models or are parts usually backwards/forward compatible?

[@mannehumor]

I have a Rocket E61 that unfortunately have been exposed for freezing cold for a long time, with water inside the machine. any suggestion what I need to replace and look at to fix it? Any DIY online somewhere for this particularly case?

[@glennsmooth]

How often should this be done? My Rocket is 4 years old but I use RO filtered water so haven’t noticed any malfunctions yet.

[@codyschofield_]

Where do you buy your replacement parts for Rocket machines? Can you buy everything in a kit?

[@ahmedalamri7022]

hi, from where we can get a full tools set

[@haiironezumi]

After persisting with a failing group seal for far too long and finally losing a duralex glass to the group handle backing out I tried to give it a clean.... and the rubber seal disintegrated. Now I have got it out, I am finding that I cannot get the shower screen to release, having tried a flat head screwdriver, a spoon and a paint tin opener. Any suggestions for a stuck shower screen?

[@stiksandstones]

Grease on those cams? or only on the seal?

[@phcalama]

How often do you recommend performing this service?

[@arturgrabczewski3816]

I have a Rocket espresso Giotto from 2004 - water tank model/vibration pump - model with half moon pressure gauge. This machine has not been used for the last 14 years or so I turned the machine on and all appeared to be fine (I did not pull a shot) Then I checked steam wand (was fine) and then hot water nozzle and it was fine and the water was coming out of it but then after that the machine wanted to collect the water from the tank to the boiler which of course is normal But despite the noise (rather louder than I would expect knowing rockets) nothing was happening. It kept making noise and the pump was working but now water was collected and the sound did not stop until I turned the machine off. What could be wrong with the machine?

[@Uranday]

If my backflush is not strong, where do I need to check for problems?

[@samsunggalaxys2064]

Hi i have schaerer coffee joy coffee machine and it is giving me trouble call ( heating up timeout steam level) do you know what's the problem? Regards

[@jaybones614]

The stainless steel mushroom upgrade is the way to go. No chance of chrome flakes in your coffee

[@tektiteradio8178]

Hi mate, i have a problem with my machine, when I pour a shot or I try and do a backflush no water is coming out of the exhaust. I've taken the assembly apart and I'm still having no luck. I can't find any blockage any advice would be greatly appreciate :)

[@nathanhine286]

Hi Rick, do you sell a seal kit the E61? I live in NT Darwin. Thanks

[@cvendet1]

Hi Rick, Question for you. I was recently gifted a Rocket Apartamento and it appears to be in working order for the most part. However, the group head seems to have a heating issue. The group head water isn't getting above 150 degrees fahrenheit. When I turn the machine on and let it sit for 30 minutes the group head isn't even hot, so I am wondering what things should I check to diagnose this issue?