Fixing my Coffee Machine

Project:
Fixing the DeLonghi Rialto EAM 4500 fully automatic expresso machine.

Difficulty Level (Easy, Medium, Hard, Insane):
Easy

Process:
Other blog post/fixes for the same model cappuccino machine:

• Fixing my Coffee Machine - May 2013
• Cappuccino Maker Leak - Jun 2012
• Final Cappucino Maker Fix (Hopefully) - Jul 2013
• Fixing a Delonghi Magnifica EAM4500 Cappuccino Machine - Jan 2017

Last night I wanted to make a cup of coffee and join my son out on the deck for some daddy-son chats when the machine all of a sudden stopped working.

I've had to fix this machine before for various issues, which I consider regular "maintenance" but today it was sounding like it worked but no water came out.

After taking it apart and tracing the water lines it became apparent quite quickly that a "T-connector" had cracked and kinked one of the water lines.

About a year ago, Chris M, a wonderful coworker of mine, had given me an old broken Kuerig machine. I tried to fix it but it was too far gone so I stripped it of all its parts and put them all in a cardboard box. Lucky for me, there was a T-connector that would perfectly replace the one that was broken on my machine.

Once the machine was opened up, it was just a matter of taking off 3 clamps with a set of pliers, pull out the broken connector, put in the "new" connector and put the clamps back. After mounting the coffee machine panel with 6 screws it was all done and ready for many more coffees.

As a side note, I entered into diagnostics mode for fun to see how many coffees were brewed and I was blown away that we are at 14,340 cups of coffee and 3320 liters of water in just about 5 and a half years of owning the machine.

Considering that I save about $1.25 per cup of coffee, we already saved $18,000 by making our own coffee! I think the initial $800 investment has paid off!!!


Pictures:

The three silicone hoses after the T-connector was removed

The new T-connector from my coworker's Kuerig machine and two of the clamps

The machine after it was all put back together

Viewer Questions:
John asked a question about a leak in the back and send me a picture with an arrow of where he's thinking the leak occurs:

He then sent me a picture of the part he thinks might need to be replaced:

My suspicion is that the leak actually occurs where the nylon hose ties into the solenoid as I had that exact same issue with a different connection (circled green):

The way it works is there's a metal retaining ring crimped onto the water supply line and a little o-ring stuck on the end of it. Then, there's a small metal clip that locks onto the metal ring and holds the supply line in the connector. What I had to do is actually double up on the o-rings and stick two o-rings on the end of the protruding water line which sealed up once I pushed it into the connector and locked it in place with the little metal clip.

Here's a diagram of the connector:

I looked through my pictures and I couldn't find one where I actually took it apart but I do remember it well because there were a few places where I had to double up on the o-rings. I hope this helps someone else...

Tools:
Screwdriver
Needle nose pliers

Materials:
T-connector

Cost:
$0.00

Time:
1/2 hr

Savings:
$50

Conclusion:
I love my coffee machine!!!