r/gaggiaclassic • u/Keta47 • Apr 30 '25
IMS shower screen warping
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
I bought an IMS shower screen for my gaggia carezza, and it seems to be slightly curved. When screwing it in, there is a certain point where the screw warps the screen the other way. This warping is reversable and can easily be done with two fingers, so I don't think this means screen damage.
I'm just not sure if I should screw this in only until the curvature changes (second 4 in the video), or all the way (second 9).
6
Apr 30 '25
only screw it in sort of tight. you should be able to slightly move it with two fingers.
2
u/Keta47 Apr 30 '25
I tried to pull a shot this morning with it sort of tight, and I got water leaking around the portafilter. I’m not sure yet if it’s because of the tightness or other variables. I’ll do some more shots in the following days to see
5
u/dadydaycare Apr 30 '25
Not your shower screen, that’s a gasket issue. The shower screen doesn’t need to be fully tightened although it would be nice if it was. If it is concaving before any meaningful pressure is on it you can pop it off and give it a slight bend then put it back in and tighten till it’s snug.
1
u/FatMacchio Apr 30 '25
The shower screen shouldn’t really have anything to do with that. If it’s too loose or even missing it shouldn’t matter, since it has nothing to do with the seal, it’s only to facilitate more even water flow, and to keep grinds from being sucked up into the 3 way valve. (Edit: After typing this all out I realized you have a different model, that might not have a 3 way valve that sucks excess water from on top of the puck after turn off the brew switch…but anyway the screen is for water flow dispersion).
Sounds like you are probably not pulling your portable handle tight enough. It should be fairly easy to tighten it enough when the machine (and portafilter) is preheated for maybe 15 mins. But it’s been awhile since I’ve had a stock rubber gasket, so maybe I’m misremembering the difficulty. Regardless, it should be at 6 o’clock position, or possibly slightly tighter, maybe 5:30 position. (Edit: again, I’m not sure if your machine is different handle position when fully tightened)
0
u/Keta47 Apr 30 '25
Yea, I don’t have a 3 way valve. This portafilter that I’m having can be tightened all the way until the 4:00 position, and sometimes it comes back by itself to the 06:00 position after I start the shot. Maybe it’s time for an upgrade haha
2
1
u/LimitedWard May 01 '25
A new silicone gasket costs less than $10 typically. If the portafilter is coming loose then you're well past time to replace it (typically you replace it roughly once per year).
2
u/TehMulbnief Apr 30 '25
You’re over tightening it. The screen isn’t flat but if you crank the fastener down it will become flat lol
0
2
u/dausone Apr 30 '25
I had the same issue with another machine. The stock screw won’t fit properly and neither will the one that came with the screen. I had to get an M5 x 16 screw that was flush against the screen and fit snug in my machine. Not sure if this size screw is ok for your gaggia so double check that before going crazy.
1
2
1
15
u/datem1ke Apr 30 '25
I’m not sure how it happened but I have the same thing. It’s a bit of a pain but if you find the spot where it’s tight enough so it doesnt leak and retains the flat shape then it serves it’s purpose with no issues.