Gaggia Accademia (Pre 2022): Blowdown Valve Replacment

Learn how to diagnose and replace the blowdown valve which could be causing the leak. This detailed video takes you step by step through the process. Includes removing the Accademia's body panels, diagnosing the blowdown valve, replacing the valve, pressure testing the system after valve replacement and complete reassembly of the machine.

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Gaggia Accademia: How to Replace the Blowdown Valve

The updated 2022 version of the Accademia DOES NOT have a blowdown valve. This information only pertains to pre-2022 Gaggia Accademia machines. Consult the label inside the front door of your machine for the production year if you are unsure. A leak happening towards the left or back of the machine during operation will likely indicate a problem with the blowdown valve. A leak to the blowdown valve can cause flow and priming problems in your machine as well as the visible leak. It can be that the leak from the blowdown valve will get into the flowmeter and damage that part as well. This can cause the machine to think there is a flow problem even if the flow is working just fine and water is dispensing. The valve is not an easy part to replace, but it can be done at home if you're pretty handy. The video below will go over the process:

1. Introduction (00:00)
2. Remove Outer Case Panels (00:15)
3. Top Panel Wires (03:30)
4. Side Panel Removal (04:19)
5. Back Panel Removal (05:55)
6. Blowdown Valve Replacement (06:25)
7. Symptom of Bad Blowdown Valve (07:00)
8. Required Tools (07:50)
9. Internal Parts Removal (09:05)
10. Boiler Spout Removal (10:10)
11. Access to Blowdown Valve (11:42)
12. Boiler Cover Removal (12:30)
13. Blowdown Valve Removal (14:14)
14. Pinch Clamp Removal (18:08)
15. New Valve Installation (19:40)
16. The Tricky Part! (21:55)
17. Pinch Clamp Check (25:22)
18. Boiler Cover Install (26:30)
19. Water Tube Connections (30:55)
20. Blowdown Valve Wiring (31:35)
21. Boiler Spout Install (32:00)
22. Pressure Test (34:45)
23. Tech Menu Access (36:20)
24. Run a Pressure Test (37:09)
25. Check for Leaks (39:20)
26. Install Housing Panels (40:52)
27. Back Panel Install (41:36)
28. Right Side Panel Install (42:25)
29. Left Side Panel Install (44:40)
30. Top Panel Install (46:08)
31. Top Panel Wiring (46:40)
32. Top Panel Mounting (47:42)

To assist you with this, the machine's Parts Diagram and the necessary parts are linked below: 

• Complete Blowdown Valve Assembly 120V
• Flowmeter Assembly
• 9.5 mm Oetiker Pinch Clamp

Gaggia Accademia (Pre 2022) Interactive Parts Diagram