> > If you do replace the elements, you can do it with the boilers in the >>>>>> machine, so long as you can get an impact wrench (but you do risk >>>>>> spinning >>>>>> the boiler and wrecking the copper tubes attached. Probably safer to >>>>>> pull >>>>>> them and use a jig in a vice to keep from bending them, and doesn't take >>>>>> all that much more time. If you have no jig, you can get away with only >>>>>> clamping on the end of the boiler where the element is, i.e. so you're >>>>>> clamping across the base which has more structure than the middle. >>>>>> Still a >>>>>> bit sketchy though. >>>>>> >>>>> I replaced my elements once. Removed boiler, then got the elements loose with an impact wrench at local gas station. Needed a huge socket. The element was really gunked in there with glue.
For a first time element removal there is NO WAY I would try to do it in the machine, even with a strap wrench, etc. Too many soft pipes and fittings. Remove boilers, wrap it in big fluffy towels, cinch into a vice, then let the impact wrench do its thing. Mine took more than a minute of Impact Action to spin loose. Depending on age all the fittings will have welded themselves together. They'll release with a "creak!" Use the best wrenches you can, ideally "flare nut wrench" so you don't round off the faces of the nuts, and be sure you support the other side of the fitting with another wrench. Take your time, breathe, it is not rocket science. Other benefit if you get the boilers out is that you can spend some quality time with a screwdriver scraping the giant mineral growths out of the boiler (and then soak/flush with white vinegar.) When you reassemble put a single wrap of high-temp gas-line teflon tape on every thread, snug up gently remember its all soft metal. The teflon makes future disassembly a breeze. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Brewtus" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
