FrancisFrancis X1 - Changing the head seal

[@jim0_o]

Thanks for making this. I'm about to attempt this again. I have tried unscrewing it already but it was so stuck that I assumed I was missing something. (I physically hit it to try an loosen it) done, worked, awesome.

[@FrancisFrancisX1]

+Jim R. Didriksen Thanks for letting me know Jim, I'm glad you got the job done.It's amazing just how hard coffee sets trapping the group head cover in place, removing it can be quite difficult at times.Head seals and other spares available @ www.craystoneshop.co.uk

[@jim0_o]

It seems I celebrated the job done too early, after assuming i was done yesterday I made used it 3 times, when I wake up today and want to use it water comes gushing out on the sides. It was the X1 gen1, so not exactly the machine in this video.

[@FrancisFrancisX1]

+Jim R. Didriksen Try pushing your coffee portafilter handle a little more to the right - as far as it will go. Does that stop the leaking?Email me at [e-mail] for more help with your issue.

[@jim0_o]

Its seems that I had fastened the little mini-grate (in the middle of the group-head) too much or askew, when I started the brew without the handle (and coffee) the water was now shooting out to the sides and coming out from behind the smaller rubber ring. I claim victory again for a little while, thanks for the offer.

[@reneek1336]

Hello! I, have an X1 Trio ESE pod machine with a brass boiler. Like Katey, I do not have water coming up and over the top of the handle but a steady drip from the screen area and my shots are long and watery so extra water is coming down through from somewhere. I changed the O ring seal already 6 months ago. Any thoughts? Might I send you a video or does this sound suspiciously familiar to you?

[@ayalaassaf]

do you have a video that explains fixing leak from the steam wand while coffee is running?

[@FrancisFrancisX1]

+Ayala Assaf Hi,Drips/leaks from the steam wand are normally down to the steam tap not sealing off the valve inside the machine, resulting in the drips making there way down the steam wand. Changing the steam tap cures this issue 9 out of 10 times.See here for the video:kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqDSk6FoatZgg9k.See here for the product item:www.craystoneshop.co.uk/francisfrancis-x1-steam-knob-c2x17692357I hope that helps.

[@kateylaurel]

The pressure of the water coming out when I don't have the portofilter on seems kind of drippy/leaky around the seal, not steady and pressurized (no issue with water coming out around the portofilter though when it's on). Is this still the head seal that might need to be replaced? I think mine might be x1 gen 3.

[@FrancisFrancisX1]

Hi Katey, The group head seal, seals the portafilter handle to the machine, these need to be replaced every 3 years or so. The tell tale sign for replacement is that water will come over the top of the handle when it’s in position and being used. At this point the seal is no longer working so needs swapping out. www.craystoneshop.co.uk/francisfrancis-x1-replacement-head-seal-c2x17587764 So unless I’m misunderstanding your comment, I would say that this is not your problem. Lack of pressure can point to a number of issues. The shower filter/dispersion screen (the metal disc where the water exits the machine) has numerous tiny holes to allow the water to pass through and then into the portafilter handle. These can get blocked up with coffee, this coffee hardens and creates a barrier for the water. The screen can be removed and cleaned. You’ll see a centre screw, usually a cross head screw or Allen key type screw. When the machine is cold unscrew this, remove the filter and clean as necessary. In addition, with the screen off, you may find underneath more hardened coffee covering the lower boiler and brew head, this should also be cleaned removing additional potential barriers. It may be caused by the water pump not operating correctly, over time the vibration pump can lose functionality, in particular if it’s been left unused for a while. The boiler may well be choked up with mineral and scale deposits. The exit route for the water is narrow and can get blocked. You can try using a descaler product that you add to the water reservoir, failing that the boiler may have to be opened and manually descaled. I hope that helps. If you need any further assistance or want to ask more questions, please send me an email to [e-mail] Here’s a link to our spare parts pages: www.craystoneshop.co.uk/spare-parts-test-c102x2722787 Best Regards Chris

[@kateylaurel]

thank you so much Chris! I will look into all these options, but that seal might need to be replaced anyhow since I bought the machine used and it's probably never been replaced. :)