Lever machines: care, gaskets and safety

A lever machine has few parts that wear, but the ones that do must be looked after. This guide covers both spring lever and manual lever machines.

How a lever machine works

• Spring lever, such as the ACS Vesuvius Evo Leva: when you pull the lever down, the group fills with water and the springs are compressed. When you let go, the spring pushes the piston down and forces the water through the coffee.
• Manual lever, such as the Elektra Microcasa a Leva and La Pavoni Europiccola: you provide the pressure yourself with your arm. The group sits directly on the boiler.

Daily care

• After every shot: knock out the puck, rinse the basket and wipe around the group gasket.
• Wipe the steam wand and run steam briefly.
• Wash the portafilter, baskets and drip tray daily. Do not use abrasive cleaners or ammonia on painted or chrome-plated surfaces.
• Lever groups are not backflushed with a blind basket like an E61 group. Follow the manual.

Gaskets and piston seals

The group has seals on the piston, a gasket at the top of the group and the group gasket against the portafilter. How long they last depends on use. Signs that they need replacing:

• Water or steam comes out above or behind the group, or at the piston rod.
• Coffee leaks around the portafilter despite the correct dose: the group gasket, see replacing the group gasket.
• The lever feels jerky or stiff.

Replacing them requires the piston to be removed from the group. Only do this on a cold, depressurised machine, and leave it to a technician if you are unsure.

Lubrication

When replacing or servicing: apply a thin layer of food-grade grease to the piston seals and wipe off the excess. Too much grease collects coffee and can end up in the cup.

Safe handling

• Lock the portafilter in firmly. ACS specifies at least the half past six position on the Vesuvius Evo Leva.
• Keep your head and body out of the lever’s path. If the portafilter comes loose on a spring lever, the lever flies up with great force.
• Never let go of the lever freely. Guide it with your hand all the way up.
• Remove the portafilter slowly so that residual steam can escape. On a La Pavoni: wait about 30 seconds after brewing.
• Never open the boiler filler cap when the machine is hot. The boiler is under pressure.

Descaling

The best protection is the right water, see Water, water filters and descaling. La Pavoni specifies descaling 2–3 times a year depending on use. For ACS the interval depends on hardness and use. Follow the manual for your model.

Temperature

• Manual lever machines have the group fixed to the boiler, so it gets hotter with every consecutive shot. If the coffee tastes burnt after a few cups, let the group cool down for a while.
• ACS Vesuvius Evo Leva: set the group temperature and set the brew boiler 8–10 °C hotter. Change the boiler 0.5–1 °C at a time if the group temperature rises or falls during pre-infusion.

Troubleshooting

• ACS shows A1 or A2: temperature sensor fault. A10: filling the steam boiler took too long. A11: filling the internal tank from the mains water supply took too long. Switch off, unplug and start again. If the fault persists, contact service.
• Leak at the piston rod: worn piston seals.
• The coffee runs through without resistance: grind too coarse, dose too small or worn seals.

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.