How to Descale Boiler - E05

ID: 125572

Description: Work in progress - a partial solution. Feedback...

Steps:

  1. WARNING: Before you begin, be sure to disconnect the machine from power. Failure to do so can result in serious electrocution.
  2. Pop off the two covers with a small flat screw driver
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  3. Lift off the back panel, revealing the boiler to the left
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  4. Caution: Wait for the boiler to cool down before you continue working on it.
  5. Loosen the two Torx screws which holds the boiler. No need to take the leads off.
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  6. Use pliers to destructively take off the Oetiker clamps on the boiler. This photo shows a different Oetiker clamp as I removed the ones on the boiler in a previous repair. You will need to buy some new 9 mm hose clamps instead. They can be fitted with a regular screw driver. You can go shopping while waiting for descaler to work.
  7. You may need to twist, push or pull fairly hard to get the hoses off.
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  8. If you can't blow air through the boiler you know it is clogged. A bicycle pump with a Presta valve has about the right size, although it will lot lock on. You should also be able to blow air through with your mouth. Beware if the boiler is still hot.
  9. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin and safety glasses to protect your eyes. Descaling may not be easy.
  10. Attach a piece of hose or a straw and try to pour in a little bit of descaler. Gaffer tape could be useful. I have used heat shrink tube.
  11. Maybe you need to poke out air bubbles with some wire. Maybe you need to apply descaler from both ends.
  12. Warm descaler may work faster. Notice descaler is aggressive, and warm descaler even more so.
  13. The first time I did this repair I let the descaler work over night.
  14. If you manage to get the boiler descaled and to get water through it, you can assemble the machine again. And do a standard descaling.
  15. You may also find a replacement boiler online.
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