Espresso Machine Repair

[opifan64]

I own a vintage Pasquini Livietta from the mid 1980's that has recently stopped working. When I turn it on I can hear a lot of noise, but it doesn't brew. I haven't used it in some time and I suspect it ran dry. I'm not sure how to prime the pump (or if there's something else wrong with it).

I contacted Pasquini directly and they said that they do repair older machines, unfortunately they're located in California. Does anyone know a good espresso machine repair shop in Toronto - or within an hour's drive of Toronto - that could repair an older machine?

Thanks!

[foodyDudey]

You could try calling the Grean Beanery, they have a servive dept. for the units they sell but may be able to repair yours. Service is performed at the King St. location, just east of Bathurst.

http://www.greenbeanery.ca

[miranda]

We get our Gaggia repaired and regularly serviced at Zuccarini on Davenport betw Ossington and Dufferin Excellent service reasonable prices Miranda

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Gaggia Cafe
7600 Weston Rd, Woodbridge, ON L4L8B7, CA

[TeRReT]

Faema at Dupont and Christie is also very good.

http://www.faematoronto.com/index.html

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Faema Cafe
672 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M6G1Z6, CA

[foodyDudey]

Faema and Zuccarini are probably the only two other places that I'd take a machine to.

Don't take it to Dr. Espresso, unless you want to have it go into a black hole.

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Faema Cafe
672 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M6G1Z6, CA

[peppermint pate]

+1 for Zuccarini - well-established family run business that takes a lot of pride in their work. Nice people, very good at what they do.

[Frids]

I'll chime in for Zuccarini. They had a rocky time of it when old Mr. Z. died about 10 years ago but as far as I can tell from recent experiences they've got it together again.

[opifan64]

Hey, thanks for all the great tips everyone! I'm going to call around to the places suggested. Hopefully I'll be making espresso again soon.

[LUV_TO_EAT]

You might try putting something in to decalcify it. Perhaps you had some water in it which dried out and calcified blocking the tubes. Just a thought. Run it through several times perhaps.

[opifan64]

Thanks. That's definitely a possibility. I'm not sure any water is actually pumping to the filter head, but I might try that.

[foodyDudey]

Most likely the diaphram in the pump has failed after all these years, in which case you will require a new pump.

[opifan64]

I hope that isn't too expensive :S

[dachopstix]

Try this place, they did a great job for my Saeco machine when it went kaputz:

Anthony's Espresso Equipment Inc.
331 Jevlan Drive
Woodbridge
905-264-0433

[opifan64]

Thanks dachopstix :)

[BanhMi]

I second that recommendation, I also had trouble with my Saeco and had it repaired there, now it's running like new. The service was fast and cheaper than going directly to Saeco, which I had gone to the year before wasn't very satisfied.

[mgualt]

Call Chris at 416 258 0791 or email at Espresso Express Services <[e-mail]>

He knows what he's doing and doesn't charge too much. He fixed my machine.

[atomeyes]

there's a place on Coxwell around Gerrard. I wish i had its name (its on the east side. Yellow sign. looks like a throwback to a 60s hardware store). I know they do certified service for Delonghi machines.

[Frids]

Butler's Appliance at 249 Coxwell. I bought a congee machine there last year. I was happy with the purchase although I'm not sure it's the right place for the repair of higher-end espresso machines. For those I'll say it again: Zuccarini.

[opifan64]

Update: thanks everyone! I took it to Zuccarini and it's working again. It was the pump that needed replacing and thankfully they were able to find a compatible replacement.

I've been doing some research online so that I can perhaps fix it myself next time if something needs maintenance or repair. It's a bit intimidating but there seems to some good information available from people who have done rebuilds of the same machine.

[DDD]

Thank you for updating.