La Pavoni Professional PL Service/Seal replacement (zero experience) EDIT in description.

EDIT* Ensure the flares sides of the gasket are facing away from each other.
We service the La Pavoni Professional PL Lever espresso machine with no experience.
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SERVICE KIT - Pre & Post millenium
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Bottomless Portafilter & Basket (2000 onwards)
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[@barca54]

2 years ago fully serviced my 20 year old Pavoni Europiccola with the assistance of You Tube - total strip back & replacement as necessary. I am now on my second group head annual service. Your video is my standard go to for cleaning, service, replacement & re-install. Only “step” change I introduced was reinstalling piston BEFORE reattaching group head to machine. Don’t have to battle with machine on its side! Thank you so much, I dismantled my precious espresso machine confidently & the results WOW. Both it & me happy bunnies.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

That's awesome Ana. Thanks so much for the feedback. I regret selling this machine, I think I will be getting another one soon.

[@rmrich9602]

Good video thanks 👍🏼 With piston shaft upwards - top seal ( open face up ) -Bottom seal ( open face down )

[@mitchdoescoffee]

ahhh. I think i made a small error... thank you.

[@anylookup]

@@mitchdoescoffeeAlso noticed this error. It's a real pain to insert the piston into the group's sleeve but you show well how to do it.

[@haimtoeg]

I’ve done this service a few times but still enjoyed your video. The only comment I’d make is to insert the piston before installing the group to the boiler. Makes manipulating the seal much easier.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Good idea... thank you

[@MikeJF355]

Excellent video. These machines are worth every penny! I've had mine 20 years and it's used everyday. It still looks brilliant and makes the best coffee :-)

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thank you! They are definitely built to last.

[@waynerogers5485]

I just broke my machine down. Straight from factory. Never before serviced. Both rings were as described in video. They were not opposites. Both hollow sides facing up. That’s how I put them back and it’s working great.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

I think this might have been the reason I did the same. Possibly a manufacturer fault/experiment 🤣 but yes, mine also worked perfectly fine.

[@teichholtz]

Great video, no fluff, just right to the task at hand. For some reason my seal kit did not come with a new copper washer (the one with four holes) and did not come with the internal c-clip. The old c-clip had rusted and bonded to its slot but a few good taps with a small blade screw driver got the pieces of it out but I bent the copper washer. I used a small hammer on a wooden surface to get the washer perfectly flat and I was able to buy a new c-clip at a local store. I only make one coffee a day so I am not expecting to have to re-do this job for a long time!

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Where did the kit come from?

[@julysuprise]

@@mitchdoescoffee same here. I followed the link you have here and I do not have clips or the brass pieces.

[@markjthomson]

Excellent video thanks! Hey the brass plate under the cir-clip is there to allow the cir-clip to hold the seal in place - you couldn't hold the seal in place onto the cir-clip alone, the cir-clip needs something to push against! And I hate that cir-clip. My seal set didn't include a new brass washer so I cleaned and re used it. I also need to replace one of the pins as it is quite worn... always worth a look at.

[@teichholtz]

I had to do the same with the brass washer. Used a small hammer on some wood to get it perfectly flat.

[@joyoffilming9500]

What a great and inspiring video. Makes seals exchange much easier. Thanks for sharing!

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thank you.

[@joyoffilming9500]

@@mitchdoescoffee Did it today. Was easier than thought with your excellent instruction1

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thank you for your feedback. I will be uploading another video of my new one very shortly. 😎

[@CB-zp4dd]

Excellent thorough video, thank you.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thank you so much for the feedback.

[@anylookup]

A great video. There's one other seal that's around a plastic sleeve (La Pavoni Lever Group Sleeve Silicone Gasket code 465302/1186087) that's screwed into the group. I have replaced the plastic sleeve that came with my brand new Esperto Abile (which will eventually wear down) with a brass one (stainless steel is also available - no more plastics!) from coffee-sensor guys. I got a tool to remove the sleeve but quite frankly unscrewing the plastic sleeve didn't go well and the tool's teeth cut through the plastic sleeve's groves damaging them hence it wasn't possible to unscrew it anymore. I had to use a very hot flat screw driver to melt through and destroy the plastic sleeve then with hammer taps managed to unscrew/remove the rest of it (fortunately, didn't damage the sleeve's gasket). The tool became very useful however for installing the new brass sleeve although you could probably do without it and make your own. One thing I was surprised about is lack of a removable seal between the group's pressure gauge and piston. Many people have to put teflon tape around the piston's thread to seal it properly. Since the pressure gauge has to be removed quite frequently for servicing I will probably look for / experiment with a small o-ring that would go between the piston top and pressure gauge. Also, I and some people remove the group's shower screen and seal by pushing down very hard at the top of the piston (no lever attached and pressure gauge / nuts removed of course) with a wrench on the top and both pop out without using any seal removal tools. I presume if you're replacing the seal anyway then damaging it with a tool while getting out won't matter but I was doing the above mods hence my seal was brand new.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

The gauge seal point you made is 100% valid. I have found that to be a bit of a pain, I am currently using a thread tape, but for a premium upgrade - I do find it a little on the b-grade side of things. 🙏 Thanks for tuning it.

[@michaellohrey1728]

Great job

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thank you 😁

[@garysantos7053]

Thank You.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

You're welcome Gary. 🙏

[@tinkeringtim7999]

You don't have to pick the head gasket out, just turn it upside down and put pressure on the threaded end of the push rod to push the gasket and shower out together. May need something like a spanner handle to give the last 1cm of push. I can do it in a few seconds with no damage to the gasket.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Sweet. Thanks man

[@howie8582]

Good video, just one error. The lower piston seal goes in the other way up so the V points up whereas the top seal is correct ie the V points down.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hey mate. Thanks alot. Yes I have realised this. Funny enough it actually worked perfectly fine. 🤷‍♂️

[@miangelo1946]

Hi, I think you are putting the two identical rubber rings wrong. They must be opposite of each other. Therefore, the last ring will also simply slide in.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thank you. I had noticed this and fixed it recently...

[@richardmannig4348]

Yeah, that's right. Perhaps you the creator can make a written edit in the video to clarify this.

[@RichPurdum]

@@richardmannig4348 I agree the edit would be a very helpful clarification to an otherwise great video. The emphasis on the "top" gasket can mislead about the proper orientation of the lower one. The kit I got from Stefano's Espresso Care in Oregon had a very useful tip: "Be sure the flat sides of the gaskets are facing each other". That pretty much nails it.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Edit in Description. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thanks for the suggestion, edit is now in description.

[@JethroFord]

Is not easy to insert the piston and grouphead gasket while the group are dismantled?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

There is a tool available... I have made an updated video more recently. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3rJpmd_psaVY80si=QOguV-zlS9c3ynkx

[@184186]

My Pro post 2000 has developed a leak in the 'water level' display, with water dripping out the bottom of the display. Do you have a tutorial for this kind of repair? Thanks!

[@mitchdoescoffee]

I don't have a video, but it isn't too difficult. To repair it properly, you will require a full rebuild which I have done in one of my other videos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3rJpmd_psaVY80si=adNwcsrp630zahPe You will need to access the fittings inside the main boiler to stop the leak. Where are you located?

[@leighp03]

definately in the steam wand, just unscrew it mate and you are off and racing, fairly easy to do

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Thanks mate.

[@FredericMoerth]

Hi there, really enjoyed your video! Any chance you could clarify, how to set up the final position of the piston when the lever is fully down, or does that not matter? Should I just turn the screw nut all the way down? Many thanks!!

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hi Frederic, click that subscribe button as I will be doing a complete video on just that VERY soon.

[@michaelravenscroft4710]

Thanks mate. Any chance of a link to where you purchased this service pack?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

www.coffeeparts.com.au/701867-professional-gasket-series

[@De132an]

Hello, I’ve got one myself and really enjoyed the service kit video. Actually made me think I can do this myself. Regarding the tempt stick, what temperature did you happen to hit that made that perfect espresso shot? Do you recall the timeout took for that shot as well ? Thank you

[@mitchdoescoffee]

The group head was between 90°c & 95°c and overall shot time was high 20's including about 6-8 seconds of infusion.

[@derekf5272]

Wow - what a great video. Really helpful and clear. Is there any chance you can run a video on how to replace the large base seals for this machine at some point? Thanks!

[@mitchdoescoffee]

I will do. I will be doing a few more upgrades in the future & i will be sure to include that for you.

[@derekf5272]

@@mitchdoescoffee Thanks that would be amazing.

[@user-zk2fl8jp9d]

Enjoyed the video, looks so simple I decided to service my 12 month old La Pavoni Abile model. All went well until testing when although the pressure guage shows positive for the sight tube, when I lift the handle no pressure builds up in the head. The pressure continues to build in the reservoir and I have to switch the machine off before the pressure safety kicks in. I haver rechecked all the seals, direction of the piston seals and all looks all ok as per your video. Any ideas please?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

It sounds like there is possibly a blockage between the boiler and the head.

[@quynguyen6429]

Nice video. Have you cleaned the boiler and heating element?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

No i haven't. I have decommissioned this machine since my upgrade to the SanRemo Cube... i still have the machine, so i might do a deeper service purely for entertainment

[@nickkiss1505]

I have the professional model and need to order a gasket kit. How can I tell if it is pre or post year 2000? And are there other factors which will affect the parts I order?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hey buddy. Thanks for reaching out. I have a link in description for the kit that fits both pre & post 2000. 👌

[@howie8582]

Look at the size of the group head. Pre has a narrower group head and a 49mm basket, post the group head is wider and the basket is 51mm

[@stefanolo2]

Thanks for the instruction! Great! But...correction(?)...the two piston gaskets are supposed to sit like this on the piston >-< if you know what I mean. Not sure what you mean by "flat sides". Maybe we mean the same?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Correct... as you may see, I've edited the description to show my mistake 😬

[@tamcaj]

Le cadrage du début laisse à désirer. À part ça, c’est bon.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

oui, j'ai beaucoup appris depuis que j'ai fait cette vidéo. merci

[@Platypi007]

Just picked up a 30-35 year old Europiccola (the smaller version of this). Amazes me that they've made only a few changes over the past 70 years. Took it apart entirely, putting in new gaskets. Gotta replace the heating element, though... And the base is rusted, so sanded and painting it! Figure if I take good care of it that it'll last at *least* another 30-40 years, probably will outlive me. At least the circlip in the grouphead isn't as tensioned as the ones for some pressure cells I have to maintain at my work... those things STING if they slip and hit your hand.

[@Platypi007]

Make sure you regularly descale these and they should give decades of wonderful service! I think the heating element in the one I got would still be good if someone hadn't neglected it for 3 decades... When I decaled it the element was destroyed already.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

That's awesome!!!

[@Platypi007]

Those three gaskets you mentioned probably are to do with the steam wand are, indeed, for the steam wand. The fat one goes on the steam knob, you have to unscrew it from the machine, then pop a pin out of the neck, and remove the rod from the handle to get to it. The two smaller ones go on the steam wand side, once you have the knob off you can just pull it off to get at it. The only other seals on the machine are on the watch glass, three more gaskets, and then the gasket for the heating element, as well as two spacing shims.

[@jasonbosworth8549]

I’m sorry if this has already been touched on, but if using this in a commercial setting, what is the maintenance interval for which you’re doing today? Thank you

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hi Jason, no apologies needed. This would not be an ideal machine to use for commercial purposes. As it is only designed for domestic use. I found with any machine, annual servicing of this calibre is ideal. Even if it is making 1 coffee a week or 3 Coffees a day... seals begin to age as soon as they have been heat cycled & need to be replaced to prevent cracking & leaking.

[@frederikkristensen5217]

Could someone tell me what’s included in the service kit he is using since I’m based in Denmark and would have to order it separately? Thanks I’m advance.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hi mate. Send me an instagram DM @mitchdoescoffee or email [e-mail] I have all of the part numbers with image reference for you.

[@luculliana]

Making 4 coffees per day , how many times per year shall I do this kind of manteinance?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

I would aim for every 12 months at most. To help with quality, make sure you are using good quality filtered water.

[@luculliana]

@@mitchdoescoffee , many Thanks !

[@Pomelo119-f9y]

Great video!! I just got a new La Pavoni machine and every flush of water from the group head has grease in it. Is that the lubricant? Is it normal to have that in your coffee? 😂

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Welcome to the LaPavoni family! That is fairly common, however I would be flushing that through until you are no longer getting any lubricant in your coffee 😅 You might have some smooth joints though. 🤣

[@Pomelo119-f9y]

Makes sense! Thank you! @@mitchdoescoffee

[@greynand]

nice video, I don't have pressure on the lever coming down and when i steam i see dark dot , can you help me please

[@mitchdoescoffee]

When was your machine last serviced?

[@greynand]

@@mitchdoescoffee I got it from a friend of mine he barely use it

[@method341]

Hey mate, where did you get that thermal sticker?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hey buddy. I have a handful of them. Are you in Aus?

[@method341]

@@mitchdoescoffee yup

[@mitchdoescoffee]

@@method341 awesome. Email me your details and I'll send one your way. [e-mail]

[@method341]

@@mitchdoescoffee thanks, will do!

[@lloyddavies9799]

The la Pavoni distributor in Sydney suggested the two seals on the brass piston should be oriented like an hour glass. This wasn't real clear in the video.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Yes i am aware of this. I have edited this info in description. Thank you

[@julysuprise]

OK, maybe dumb question but my kit came and it contained no grease. Can anyone point me to what was used in the video?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hi Walter. This is a link for what I normally use. www.coffeeparts.com.au/haynes-lubri-fil-plus-4oz

[@gustavocarlosderrico1281]

Hola, soy gustavo de argentina y no consigo los repuestos,como puedo hacer .me faltan las juntas y el porta filtro,con el filtro ..espero me puedas orientar..muchas gracias

[@mitchdoescoffee]

hola www.euroespresso.com.au/shop/category/parts es donde ordeno mis piezas de repuesto. no sé si envían a Argentina. espero haber ayudado

[@johnmarra8428]

Where can I get the special pliers you used. Great video!

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Most hardware stores sell them. Ask for circlip pliers.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Most hardware stores sell them. Ask for circlip pliers.

[@Anarchsis]

Ok so I’m a naughty boy, I’ve never serviced or changed the gaskets on my 1976 Europiccola, the only reason I retired it is because the heating element went, my Professional I’ve had for 3 years and it’s still good to go, I use it for 2 doubles a day.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Hahaha... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" method can work sometimes...

[@ScizzorsHairSalonShrewsbury]

Thanks for this great video. Where can I find that little L shape or hook tool? Does it have a name?

[@mitchdoescoffee]

www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-4-piece-hook-and-pick-set_p6120228

[@ScizzorsHairSalonShrewsbury]

@@mitchdoescoffee thank you!

[@scottlauffer9493]

Your wrong, the open side of the plunger gasket faces down, it has to force the gasket to spread when there is pressure in the boiler, watch the video from orphan espresso!!!!

[@mitchdoescoffee]

Correct... I've adressed this mistake in the description. But thanks for your aggressive comment. 🤣

[@fordprefect4345]

You keep going off camera with your hands and especially while you're doing the piston

[@mitchdoescoffee]

I have a new version of this video. This one was filmed a few years ago.

[@HanxHeez]

Half of the work happens off camera, bummer.

[@mitchdoescoffee]

That video was filmed 3 years ago... I was definitely an amateur back then... since then I have made a much better video explaining this process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3rJpmd_psaVY80si=QOguV-zlS9c3ynkx

[@HanxHeez]

@@mitchdoescoffee Great, thanks!