Lelit Bianca: Leaking from the Drain Port (The Pinch Test)

A leaky drain port and/or intermittent pressure-relief sounds that continue after the machine has reached full temperature — these are signs that your Bianca's expansion valve (aka OPV), vacuum breaker, or safety valve may need attention.

Tools needed:

• Fingers 
• #2 Philips head screwdriver
• Large flat head screwdriver
  
  

1. Remove the top panel.

2. With the top panel off, turn the machine on and allow it to fully heat up. Once the machine is heated and you begin to see the leak from the drain port, locate the vacuum breaker and the safety valve.

3. Start by pinching the tube attached to the vacuum breaker for a few seconds while watching the drain port.

If you pinch the vacuum breaker tube and the leak stops, the vacuum breaker needs to be serviced. You can find directions on how to service the vacuum breaker here.

3. If you are still seeing a leak from the drain port, pinch the tube attached to the safety valve for a few seconds while watching the the drain valve.

If you pinch the tube of the safety valve and the leak stops, the safety valve needs to be replaced. You can find directions on how to replace the safety valve here. 

If pinching either tube did not stop the water leaking from the drain port, try tightening the expansion valve. To do this you will need a 13mm wrench. With the machine on and fully heated use the 13mm wrench to rotate the fitting like so:

You'll want to tighten down the expansion valve until water no longer leaks from the drain port. If after a couple of turns the leaking has not decreased, it is likely the expansion valve seat needs to be replaced. 

This article here shows you how to replace the expansion valve seat.