E61 Group Head Maintenance: Gasket & Shower Screen

[@ElzaraIsmE]

It was hard to find proper instructions on how to remove shower screen without a screw in the middle. It seems so simple, yet hard to figure out for a novice like me who also didn't know I had to change the gasket and the shower screen. You can imagine how it looked like after a year of using it. This was the most comprehensive and helpful video I've watched. I finally removed it and cleaned it myself. So thank you! I'm a fan now. :)

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi E, You are very welcome - Thanks for the comment!

[@AlejandroPDX]

So glad I watched this. I was dreading cleaning that part of my pro600 but now I know I can wait 8-12 months on that. Awesome video. Awesome explanation. Made it look a lot less scary

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Glad I could help!

[@LexZolnir]

Just followed your step by step, and Tim in service got me the correct gasket to order and i didnt realize my original gasket on this machine didnt work right from the beginning, it always stopped me from locking the porto in "squarely" or aligned, the handle was already at an angle to barista's left...now it smoothly locks in and aligns, feels so much better and it doesnt squeak when i lock it in place!

[@ToddBradley-pz2jr]

Awesome video. I'm about to do this for the very first time (home user, not pro), and now I'm full of confidence. Wish me luck.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey TB, Good luck!!!

[@Kats072307]

Perfect video. It helps us that you lay down the machine like that.

[@eralasch]

The best explanation I´ve ever heard. Thank you so much.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You're very welcome!

[@johnrdoe108]

I use two espresso spoons on each side in the cut-away 9 years with ecm machine still great

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey jd, thanks for the advice and longevity report!

[@penultimatename6677]

I took out the shower screen and gasket to clean. Never was able to get it back in. I did use food safe lubricant. I then bought the screen in the video from you guys along with a new gasket. Still unable to get it back in so the portafilter worked. The trick that finally worked for me. I didn't have the gasket fully up to the lip of the screen. I made sure the screen was touching the top. Then with my fingers pushed the gasket with the lubricant all the way up. May sound crazy but it was the only way I was able to get the portafilter to fit.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

H i PN, Glad the PF trick worked for you and thanks for the comment and patronage! Marc

[@big5astra]

Great info and very timeous - I opened my Profitec Pro 500 and it was pretty gunked up on the shower screen (hadn't been opened for too long...) I cleaned it and can taste the difference in the coffee. Great!! Also love your videos in that you often reply to viewers comments, which is great. I just have a small comment regarding how tight you guys make up the group handle on the coffee machines. I often see you tightening it to the point where you can see the whole machine and the top of the E-61 group head distort slightly under the strain. Seriously guys, I can literally tighten mine with one finger and it NEVER leaks - just try it and see how little torque is really needed to make the group handle seal effectively. Keep up the good work!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey big5, Thanks for the comment! Amazing what a good cleaning can do. Those accumulated coffee oils and gunk can go rancid with time. Marc

[@mojomumshusband6378]

REALLY great, simple to follow videos - thank you !

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You are welcome!

[@plurplursen7172]

small tip. After taking out the old gasket, let the group head heat up. Then keep your new gasket and filter in the fridge to cool down. science

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Thermal expansion!

[@neighbortim]

I just did this on my pro-600, I would have been less nervous if I had seen this first lol! Actually your printed instructions got me through it fine. But I wanted to add that I was really surprised at the difference the IMS shower screen made, if I run the pump with no portafilter it’s very obvious how much better the water distribution is.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey n, Thanks for the comment. The IMS screen reaaly does make a difference in flow distribution. Also stays cleaner with the quartz coating and no fine mesh interwoven screen to trap the coffee gunk. Marc

[@fr201]

@@Wholelattelovepage Do you have a link to the IMS screen for the Profitec Pro 700?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

​@@fr201 Out of stock at the moment but check back here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ims-nanotech-e61-shower-screen They're currently crossing the Atlantic by boat. Expect to be in-stock week of 1/25/22.

[@pfa231]

I tried silicone gaskets (blue or red) instead of classic rubber ones (black ones, like in the video) a couple of years ago and never looked back. Silicone gaskets never harden and get plasticky, so technically they never need replacement. IMS shower screen (like in the video) gives superior water distribution, doesn't collect gunk for some reason, and is easily cleanable to the original new state, so if you add these 2 together - you get grouphead that doesn't need maintenance (apart from backflushes and cleaning).

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Fedir, Thanks for the comments and agree the silicone gaskets are superior to stock rubber. Also the IMS screens are excellent for all t he reasons you shared.

[@LexZolnir]

now you tell me! okay getting one!

[@giankytaddy4332]

Great video well explained. Which grease do you use and which one is good for the operations you do anyway? Is vaseline okay?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey gt, Thanks for the kind comment. Dow Molycote was used here. Can also use Petrogel - no experience with Vaseline.

[@astronomical13]

This looks easier than changing the timing belt on my Honda.

[@squibcakes74]

Some nice info there. Thanks!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Any time! Marc

[@squibcakes74]

I hope my comment in the previous group rebuild wasn’t taken the wrong way. I see now why your tech did a separate video. ☕️ 🤟

[@MaxPizarro]

Great video!! I own a Rocket mozzafiato rotary but haven't seen any detailed videos on drain line. Can you provide some info or a video not much info online.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Max, Thanks and nice machione. What would you like to know about the drain line?

[@MaxPizarro]

@Whole Latte Love how to set it up on a Rocket. Or if you have a link to a video. Baisc how to and any troubleshooting would be helpful. Ive tried a few things to get it to drain but no luck. Water line with pressure regulator and water filter was a smooth and easy setup.

[@simonheddle-baker1388]

Great video. I was looking to replace my gasket as the screen and gasket just fell out of the head !

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey simon, Thanks for the comment. Fell out... Did they come out with your portafilter?

[@simonheddle-baker1388]

@@Wholelattelovepage nope, just dropped out all by itself. I'm going to replace today

[@pfa231]

​@@simonheddle-baker1388 it usually happens when the gasket dries out and gets hard and plasticky. It shrinks a bit as a result and might start falling off the grouphead. That means that gasket needs replacing, but nothing to worry about.

[@simonheddle-baker1388]

@@pfa231 thanks for the information. I've just bought a new seal and brew screen 👍

[@Black36501]

Thanks dude

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Welcome!

[@gilberttoronto]

Hye would like to know the rim on filter to small to use a screwdriver to pull out what should I do?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey gt, Not sure I fully understand. Do you mean the filter basket? If so, Never had a filter basket that could be pried out using this tool: www.wholelattelove.com/products/portafilter-basket-ejector

[@winataprayitno443]

do we need to apply grease everytime we change the gasket? thank you

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi WP, I've changed plenty of gaskets without lubricating and had no issues. Putting a thin film of grease when changing a gasket makes it easier to remove next time.

[@SK-su6xk]

I noticed that the water does not flow over the entire plane of the shower, but mainly in the middle. shower IMS. what is the reason?

[@ginoruffino28]

Pump not switching on on my Faema e 61 Vintage year 1964

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Wow! 60 years!!! Get out the meter and trace the power.

[@phcalama]

Hi guys. I purchased a Profitec Pro 500 PID about 1 year ago and decided to replace my shower screen and head gasket today following the procedure in this video which really helped. Thanks. However, when I removed the OEM gasket I noticed it was 8.5mm but the upgraded silicon replacement gasket I had already purchased was 8mm. Went ahead and installed it anyway. Have yet to test it but did notice that my portafilter is clocking in at about 5:45 now. Should I purchase the 8.5mm silicon head gasket or should I go ahead and use the 8mm I’ve installed? BTW - if you remove the drip tray on the Pro 500 PID and move the machine forward to the point where its front legs are half off the edge of whatever the machine is resting on you will have access to the slot on the shower plate even when using a very long flat slot screwdriver.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Paul, Glad the video helped you out. Our general recommendation is to use 8mm silicone gaskets on newer E61 machines and 8.5 on machines that have seen some use to compensate for wear to PF tabs and group head lock in channels. Clock in to 5:45 would not bother me (darn close to 6) and with softer silicone gaskets you should get a good seal without as much force as compared to OEM gaskets. Personally I'd use the 8mm but if position is bugging you go for the 8.5. Thanks for the tip on partially hanging feet off edge - just be careful they don't slip off the counter!

[@GlobalFatso]

Thanks for the video! Helps a lot in maintaining our espresso machine. After watching this I'd like to buy a new gasket. How do I know which one fits my machine? We have the Rocket apartamento and there are 8 and 8.5mm gaskets. Thanks!!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi GF, You are welcome for the video. 8mm is best for a newer machine. If your machine is older or gets a lot of use then the 8.5mm may be a better choice - def the right choice if your PF clocks in too far.

[@ignaciomaldini9537]

this might be a dumb question. For the food grade grease on the gasket, can you just use a little butter or ghee??

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey i, Not a dumb question. I would not use butter - think it would eventually cook! Petroleum Jelly can be used in a pinch like. Something like Vaseline.

[@craigcraig9745]

my portable filter never goes to 90 degrees, its always on an angle, even when i put it in tight. I don't see leaks, but not sure if its okay or not?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey CC, So long as it's not leaking all is well. Very common for portafilters not to clock in to exactly 90 degrees. Common reasons: new group gasket that's not broken in, dirty group head, filter basket sitting higher in portafilter, group gasket thicker than stock.

[@mpoisot]

Any advice on a tool or screw driver size to remove a super stubborn shower plate? I noticed the recess isn’t flat, it’s more rounded like it’s made for a coin, so maybe there’s something better than a flathead screwdriver if maximum torque is required.

[@mismo358]

do you guys have a kit for sale that has everything we might need?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi M, the basic E61 kit is sold out at the moment. Here are links to individual group gasket and shower screen. Group gasket: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/group-gaskets/products/caffewerks-silicone-group-gasket-73-x-57-x-8-5mm Shower screen: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bit-e61-shower-screen?variant=39726273331254

[@mismo358]

@@Wholelattelovepage thank you sir!!!!!

[@Songs-jx9rw]

I cleaned my shower screen and all but noticed uneven flow in my IMS and better results on my OEM screen. Is there a good way to align my shower screen?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi S, no real procedure for aligning the screen. You could try rotating to new position.

[@MandeeLiberty]

Do you guys sell that brass piece as a replacement part? I also went a little ham removing mine :) I was able to clean it up nice and grease it before reinstalling but that slot took a beating. I was hoping to get a new one and clean it when I change the shower screen and gasket rather than waiting 6yrs and having it caked in there :)

[@Dralbastaki]

how to remove profitec portafilter chrome cap at the end of the handle?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

It's a press fit so you need to pry it out with something like a very thin flat blade screwdriver.

[@francispare1310]

A year out of a shower screen... even from the higher end ones like IMS ?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Francis, The year depends on usage level. If it cleans up nice then there's no reason to replace.

[@Django44]

Question at 6:48 (if I heard correctly): "I may have gone a little ham on this one." means what? And, at 9:48: "it's easy to strip that stuff.." - strip what stuff?

[@billyruben6540]

"Go ham" is just an expression like in "went overboard" or "too much mustard." In this context, he means he should have been more careful because he caused a bit of damage. When he said "easy to strip that stuff" he's referring to the threading on the brass piece. Brass is a soft metal and it's quite easy to cause damage (in this case, ruin the threads so it won't screw in anymore) if you're not careful.

[@Django44]

@@billyruben6540 Thank you Billy - now I know.

[@diamondgrip6214]

Bro how much is this machine? Is this for commercial use? Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Current pricing here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ecm-synchronika-dual-boiler-with-flow-control It's not technically rated for commercial use, but some do use for lower volume situations

[@socomon69]

Paint can tool is best for removing the shower screen.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey s, I like that idea!

[@socomon69]

@@Wholelattelovepage best part is they give them free at home Depot and Ace. 😁

[@ELITEGOD61]

Advice: immediately throw out the stock group head gasket lol Just get a silicone one instead

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Red, Thanks for the comment. Silicone gasket are much nicer! Marc

[@khalid0790]

Can you please provide a rebuilt kit for a profitec pro 700 e61 group kit…complete kit

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi K, Thanks for the request. Working on putting E61 rebuild kits together - stay tuned! Marc

[@steven2coffee]

Could you please tell me how many turn of ecm or profitec flow control device from full close to full open ?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Steven, If you want the stock flow rate it's 1.25 turns from fully closed to get 11g/s on rotary pump and 8g/s on vibration pump machines. Here's an article with graphs of flow rates at various valve positions and graphs of 5 flow profiles I developed: www.wholelattelove.com/blogs/articles/intro-to-calculating-flow-rate-on-e61-group-machines Marc

[@steven2coffee]

@@Wholelattelovepage i wonder my flow device maximum fully open is just 1.75 turn. What i measure is 1 full turn flow rate equal to standard non flow control device.