Lubricating an ECM Barista Machine Brew Lever

As well as regularly descaling your barista coffee machine, it's massively important to lubricate the brew lever on manually operated machines. If like me, it all sounds a bit tricky, the good news is it's not. The whole thing takes around ten minutes and doesn't need any specialised tools. My machine is an ECM Heidelberg, but the group heads on barista machines are all very similar.

[@zenadventurer69]

Many videos claim that the shaft cannot be re-inserted incorrectly. They are wrong. You must replace the cam in the same orientation as when you removed it (I suggest with the lever half up). But if one manages to reinsert the cam even at 90 degrees off, you will not be able to lift the brew handle when you re-assemble, though you CAN re assemble.

[@AA-SFO]

Great video. ECM Customer Service responded to my inquiry regarding sizes of the brew lever nuts. I want to use an open-end spanner wrench (rather than an adjustable wrench) as I feel easier to handle in the tight space. The sizes of the nuts on the E61 Synchronika brew lever are 26mm (and the smaller one is 22mm.) I have confirmed with actual wrenches. Also, instead of using kitchen paper cloth towels for chrome protection, I use black electrical tape. Only use tape if the machine is completely cooled; otherwise tape residue will be left on the chrome. Also, thanks for proving and reconfirming that if you place the cam in the correct orientation, one can reinsert the mechanism after lubricating.

[@gerdgue]

great Video. Also works fine with the ECM Puristika. Re-Inserting was tricky for me. You have to disassemble with the lever in the relaxed 45 degree position and have tonreinsert everything like this again. but it works

[@withjesusdotme]

Well done - Respect - Thank You!

[@rafirc8yt]

Thank you so very much :)

[@OhHenrie1]

Which orientation does it need to be when reinserting?

[@lucwerner]

Just a heads-up: DO NOT USE NORMAL SILICONE GREASE for this. You have to use a FOOD-GRADE lubricant. Regular silicone is toxic and it will melt and get into your coffee. And for pete's sake, even using a PROPER food-grade lubricant, if you use that amount of grease your espresso will taste like sh!it for a long time.

[@paulevans2470]

Thanks. I should have mentioned to always use food grade lubricant. 👍

[@silvertibby9283]

Thanks for this! The lever on my synchronika is getting a bit stiff after backflushing with cafiza. Seems like it did too good of a job taking oils and grease out!

[@AA-SFO]

I currently have the exact same issue.