Drip from Steam Wand

[admin]

A couple of months ago I noticed a drip coming from the top of the steam wand - from up under the covers - only while steaming. At that time I removed the covers to see where it was coming from. It was coming from the threaded joint where the top of the steam wand tube screws into the rotating joint.

Inside this joint is a very small black donut washer which appears to be failing. I tightened the tube back up and the drip stopped but lately it has started again. So far it's just a minor annoyance I'm living with since the drip is not too bad. Sooner or later I suppose I'll have to contact Chris for a new washer.

I could see a little bit of the black rubber washer sticking out of the joint when I first took is apart so I am guessing it maybe didn't get installed quite right and is pinched in the joint. So it's possible this is unique to me and the rest of you may never have this happen.

[chas]

The drip got pretty bad during the last week so I pulled the covers yesterday. The problem is that when you go to rotate the steam wand it will eventually loosen the connection where the steam wand screws into the upper fitting that goes into the ball joint. The result is that the steam wand rotates and unscrews rather than the ball joint rotating. Then water leaks from this loose connection.

Removing the left side panel allows access to this connection and a quick tighten up with a small metric wrench solves the problem.

Based on comments about loosen crimp connections on the boiler, I checked mine. All were fine. However, the thin, clear plastic insulating sleeves that cover some of these crimp connections are totally brittle after two years in the hot environment. No big deal, just an FYI. All in all eveything seems to be doing well coming up on 2 solid years of 24x7 operation.

[lrumanes]

My steam wand drips from the tip, like it isn't turned off all the way. Where would I even start to diagnose this?

[Niko]

Do you get a lot of water coming out of it when you first bleed the wand before steaming? If so, that's a sign of the steam boiler over filling itself.

[lrumanes]

No, not much water when bleeding. The drip is small but constant, and would fill the tray if left on for a few days.