Fixing a leaky espresso machine. Any hope?

Proofread100

I am trying to fix a leaky espresso machine. I got it from Lidl (Bellarom) a couple of years ago and it wasn't expensive at all so I have had my money's worth. I do use the Lidl own brand capsules so that shouldn't be the problem. 
I have used the caffenu cleaning capsules, I have descaled it. But even though the water will come through when I am cleaning it, as soon as I try a capsule in it, it leaks from around the back of the capsule. I only get a wee dribble of coffee. 

I have cleaned anything that I can get at. I have taken the screws off the back but can't actually take the thing apart to do anything else. 
I really don't want to have to recycle it but I can't think what else I can do. It's pretty obvious that something is blocked somewhere but I'm stuck. 

 

fenwick458

it will be scaled up, it's hard with these automatic machines to get enough of cleaning solution to stay there for long enough to get rid of it. it just dries up. if you could take it to bits and immerse it in water and citric acid for a few hours, that might work, but it's not always possible to do that

grumbler

My understanding is that it's an espresso machine and the leak is in the seal above the 'portafilter' - removable part with a handle. If so, the problem is either with the seal or with the filter, not with scaling inside the machine.

Proofread100

Thanks Fenwick. We are in a hard water area. Agreed that it would need to come to bits. We have taken out any removable screws but it has other ones that look like star screws that have been damaged (iykwim). I think manufacturers possibly put those so that people can't take things apart. We haven't tried to take them out as you can't get any kind of purchase on them. 

greyteam1959

You can buy "star" screwdrivers at Toolstation etc.

grumbler

It makes more sense to buy a new machine for £30ish

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/salter-espressimo-coffee-machine-ps3294-delivered-at-aldi-3656444

That said, personally, I like repairing unrepairable things.

Proofread100

greyteam1959 said:

You can buy "star" screwdrivers at Toolstation etc.

Thanks. We have several in all different sizes. Wonderful and extremely useful things if you have star screws. Unfortunately some of the screws look like stars but are flatter and not anything that we can unscrew. 

grumbler said:

It makes more sense to buy a new machine for £30ish

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/salter-espressimo-coffee-machine-ps3294-delivered-at-aldi-3656444

That said, personally, I like repairing unrepairable things.

I'd love to repair this unrepairable thing but it it isn't cooperating. 
It probably cost about £30. 

What are the thoughts on buying a more expensive one? Would I just end up with the same problem after a few years? Or I suppose I should descale every couple of months. I admit to not descaling this one as often. 

Niv

if the problem is hard water then the new one would have the same issues if you treated it the same. In this case it may not be the cost of the machine that is a key factor here.

I must admit, if I was prepared to dump it, I would do my best to pull it apart / try some sort of extreme clean as a last ditch attempt. But I realise not everyone is like that haha

dj1471

You've done well to make a £30 machine last two years!

If you're in a hard water area you should really use filtered water in addition to regular descaling to prolong the life of the machine.

Cheap machines like this aren't really designed to be repaired as you've discovered. It could be something as simple as an o-ring that needs to be replaced but you may struggle to find a suitable replacement since official spares aren't available.

This is the main advantage of buying a more expensive machine from a major brand - spares will be available when required. Generally a more expensive machine will make better coffee too, though there may not be much difference with pod machines.

My coffee machine was rather more expensive than £30 but it's been going strong for 12 years (so far) - a decent machine will last, with the right care and maintenance.

parcival

Either buy a more expensive but serviceable machine or do as we do.....
We go cheap - £30 Tassimo bought 3 years ago just started leaking so chucked out and new Tassimo bought for £30