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Replacing the group gasket and shower screen

Oct 03, 2026

The group gasket seals between the portafilter and the group head. Over time it hardens, shrinks and starts to leak. The shower screen spreads the water over the coffee puck and gets clogged with coffee oils. Both are consumable parts.

When should I replace them?

  • Water or coffee leaks around the portafilter while brewing.
  • The portafilter turns much further to the right than when the machine was new.
  • The gasket feels hard or has cracks.
  • Otherwise as a preventive measure every 6–12 months at home, every 3–6 months in a café.

What you need

  • A new group gasket and a new shower screen for your model. The right part is listed on the model's resource page and in the exploded diagram on the spare parts page.
  • A small flat-head screwdriver or a gasket pick.
  • group head cleaning brush and Cafetto EVO cleaning powder to clean the group.
  • Food-grade silicone grease (optional; a thin film on the new gasket makes it easier to fit).

Step by step (E61 group)

Safety: Switch off the machine, unplug it and let it cool down before you clean or open anything. The boiler is under pressure and the water is over 100 °C.

  1. Let the machine cool down completely. Put a towel on the drip tray.
  2. Remove the screw in the middle of the shower screen if there is one (some E61 groups have a screen holder with a screw).
  3. Carefully prise out the shower screen with the screwdriver. The old gasket often comes out with it.
  4. Pick out the old gasket. Take care not to scratch the brass in the group.
  5. Clean the groove with the brush and a cloth dampened with detergent. All old coffee must be removed.
  6. Press in the new gasket with the bevelled side facing up (towards the group), then the shower screen.
  7. Use the portafilter (without a basket or with a blind basket) to press the gasket evenly into place. Turn it gently.
  8. Start the machine, let it warm up and check that it does not leak.

The right thickness

E61 gaskets come in several thicknesses (usually 8–8.5 mm). If the handle still sits far to the right with a new gasket, you may need a thicker one. Always choose the gasket specified for your model in the exploded diagram.

Can't find the fault? Contact us with the model, serial number and a short description, ideally with a video. We will help you find the right spare part or a service technician.

Barista & Espresso