Gaggia Classic woes – help me please before I go mad!

I have a Gaggia Classic and recently upgraded to the (pre-modded so no cutting required) Rancillo steam wand, however when I took the existing wand off, the little rubber gasket (part 41 on the diagram) was cracked/corroded so I ordered a new one. In fact I also bought a spare as the part was pennies and the postage silly.

Anyway, I fitted it after struggling for a while as it simply wouldn’t fit on properly as the gasket was slightly too big (the wand fits fine without it fitted) and after pushing very hard I got it on but it ripped the washer and lost steam/water and pressure from around the seal. So I tried it again with the spare and the same happened.

So I then looked online and found a supplier that claimed to do official Gaggia spares – the wand now goes in more easily as the washer is slightly smaller yet it is still losing water/steam from the seal despite it being tightened up as hard as it will go.

I have compared the new wand to the old and it does look pretty much identical to the original around the fitting so I am at a loss as to how many times I will have to keep buying and fitting gaskets before I get it to fit.

I was wondering about trying a bit of PTFE tape around the screw fit but I am not sure if this might be a good idea or not.

Anyone experienced the same / got any help / advice / suggestions?

Thank you.

Had similar issues with our Jura F50.

PTFE tape should do the trick, 3 – 4 wraps should be enough.

I’d maybe take it easy on tightening things “as hard as it will go”…small threads on nuts / bushes / olives can easily split if over tightened. Check you’ve not got any hairline cracks when everything is tightened up.

Would you PTFE in place of the washer or as well as? I assume it is fine with high temperatures seeing as it gets used on central heating systems.

I’d try it will both as the washer isn’t obviously working.