DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair

Introduction

Unfortunately, the upper piston is not reached by the descaling and cleaning program. If it is dirty/calcified, the machine will no longer function properly. It can be replaced or revised. This is shown here.

What you need

Step 1 DeLonghi ETAM Opening side panels

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, DeLonghi ETAM Opening side panels: step 1, image 1 of 2

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, DeLonghi ETAM Opening side panels: step 1, image 2 of 2

Disconnect the power plug and remove the power cord from the device.
Remove all coffee beans. Remove all attachments such as drip tray, milk frother and water tank. Open the service door and remove the brew group.
Unscrew the two Phillips screws
The Phillips screw under the water tank can remain.

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Step 2

The bean compartment flap must be removed. It is latched on the left and right, the latch is held under tension by a spring. Compress the spring until the catch is free and lift off the flap.

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Step 3

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair: step 3, image 3 of 3

There is a plastic cover strip under the flap. It is only latched in place. Release it with a flat tool and lift it out.

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Step 4

Lift the back side up and put it aside.

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Step 5

The side covers are still attached to the back with two screws. They are located under a cover strip that is only snapped in place. Take off the cover strip and put it aside.
Unscrew the two Phillips screws.

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Step 6

Push the left side panel back about 1 cm. It often jams strongly and you have to help it with a plastic opening tool.
Remove the left side panel.

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Step 7

The right side panel is removed in the same way, but the service hatch is a bit obstructive. Open it first and push the side panel back a few millimeters. This is often difficult and you will need a plastic lever tool.
Close the flap again and push the sides further back. It is a bit tricky and you have to work carefully. Lift out the side panel.

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Step 8 DeLonghi ETAM series top removal

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, DeLonghi ETAM series top removal: step 8, image 1 of 2

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, DeLonghi ETAM series top removal: step 8, image 2 of 2

Some devices have a warming plate. Disconnect the flat plugs on the green/yellow protective earth conductors.
When reassembling, don't forget to put them back on.

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Step 9

The top is fixed with screws on the left and right, depending on the type. Unscrew them.
Now the top can be gently lifted off.
Depending on the type, it is shaped differently. Some have the control panel far to the rear. Leave it for now, it is connected with cables.

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Step 10 DeLonghi ETAM series control panel removal

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, DeLonghi ETAM series control panel removal: step 10, image 1 of 1

The control panel is locked very tightly with four catches on the front. It is tricky to release these latches and you need quite a lot of force.
First loosen the detent on the edge. Use a thin flat-blade screwdriver to drive under the latch from behind. Insert a strong plastic lever tool into the gap between the control panel and the front. The latch opens with a loud crack.
Now you can open the other latches with the lever tool
Do not remove the control panel completely yet, it is still connected with cables.

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Step 11

Lift up the control panel a little. Press the latch on the white plug and pull off the plug.
Unthread the ribbon cable that leads to the control electronics at the back as far as possible. This will make it longer and you can place the control panel on its side.
If you want to remove the control panel completely, you have to take off the cover on the control electronics and disconnect the connector. Then you can unthread the cable completely.

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Step 12 Replace top brewing piston

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, Replace top brewing piston: step 12, image 1 of 3

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DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, Replace top brewing piston: step 12, image 3 of 3

There are six connections on the upper brewing piston: three hot water pressure lines, one non-pressurized waste water line, a hose line to the coffee spout and two cables to the microswitch. All must be removed first.
Pull out the clip at the top left and loosen the pressure line. Pay attention to the O-ring. It either hangs on the line or afterwards. When reassembling, replace it with a new one if possible.
Pull out the clamp in the middle and loosen the pressure line. Pay attention to the O-ring. It either hangs on the line or afterwards. When reassembling, replace it with a new one if possible.
Pull out the clamp on the bottom left and loosen the pressure line. Pay attention to the O-ring. It either hangs on the line or afterwards. When reassembling, replace it with a new one if possible.

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Step 13

Disconnect the two spade connectors from the microswitch

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Step 14

Take off the black bend protector on the middle pressure line.

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Step 15

Unscrew the two Allen screws (4 mm).
Lift off the stainless steel bracket.

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Step 16

Unscrew the Phillips screw on the black protective plate on the left and pull off the protective plate.

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Step 17

Using a flat tool, disconnect the drain hose on the left.

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Step 18

Remove the two Phillips screws securing the side of the upper piston support plate.
The screws are in deep holes.

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Step 19

Pull off the hose to the coffee spout.
Pull out the pressure hoses that are in the way,through the openings on the left.
The upper piston support plate is now free. However, it is very tight and it is tricky to get it out. Be patient and work carefully. Make sure that the ribbon cable to the control panel is not damaged.
It'll be easier if you also detach the front panel and remove the coffee spout.

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Step 20 Repair upper brewing piston

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, Repair upper brewing piston: step 20, image 1 of 2

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair, Repair upper brewing piston: step 20, image 2 of 2

The piston is attached to the gray plastic part with a small ring retainer. Push the fuse to the side and store it well.
Turn the piston around. There is a recessed Torx T10 screw in the exact center. Unscrew it.

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Step 21

Unscrew the two Phillips screws on the piston and remove the black cover.
Remove the large O-ring on the piston.
Unscrew the single Phillips head screw in the center of the piston.

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Step 22

Gently pull off the plunger. Note the springs inside.
Also pay attention to the spring with the valve hemisphere. When assembling, the ball must point upwards.

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Step 23

Turn the piston over and remove the attachments:
Unscrew the two Phillips screws on the valve and remove the valve.
Unscrew the two Allen screws (2 mm) on the raccord and remove the raccord.
Unscrew the single Phillips head screw on the microswitch and lift the microswitch out.

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Step 24

DeLonghi ETAM upper brewing piston repair: step 24, image 3 of 3

Thoroughly degrease and descale all parts. If possible, replace the O-rings. Re-grease them and reassemble the upper piston.
Note the valve: the plunger points upwards.
The maintenance kit contains a total of 18 seals for the upper piston, plus two for the lower piston.