DeLonghi La Specialista Leaking Water? 5 Fixes (EC9155, EC9355, EC9665)

Where La Specialista Water Is Supposed to Go

Most La Specialista "leaks" are water the machine is designed to release. De'Longhi's manuals for the Arte, Prestigio and Maestro all say water in the drip tray is normal, because the internal circuits discharge into it. Once that tray is full, it overflows onto the counter. Coffee running down the outside of the portafilter is a different problem: the portafilter isn't locked, the basket is clogged, or the espresso boiler gasket has worn.

De'Longhi's service documentation shows why the tray fills even when nothing is wrong. On the Prestigio, a valve opens after every coffee to drain leftover pressure and water from the filter into an expansion chamber, and the steam circuit vents its leftover pressure there too. The Arte's service sheet shows that chamber draining into the drip tray. So a tray that fills fast isn't a sign of a failing seal.

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Try This First

• Find where the water is. Under the front of the machine usually means the drip tray. Down the side of the portafilter is the brewing seal area. Around the steam wand during a cleaning cycle is expected.
• Pull out the drip tray. If it's full or close to it, empty it, dry the counter and watch whether the "leak" comes back before the tray fills again.
• Check the portafilter handle. It should turn from INSERT all the way to CLOSE and feel firm.
• Rinse the filter basket under running water. A clogged basket pushes coffee out around the rim.
• Think about what you just ran. Descaling, the coffee outlet cleaning cycle and the Maestro's Active Rinse all send water out of more than one outlet.

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Fix 1: Empty the Drip Tray Before It Overflows (Works About 35% of the Time)

This is the most common "leak" on any La Specialista. Leftover water and steam pressure end up in the tray after coffees and steaming, so it fills steadily with normal use. When it overflows, the water runs out under the front edge and looks like it's coming from inside.

Signs it's this one: a pool at the front of the machine, a full tray, and no water down the portafilter.

1. Pull the drip tray out and empty it. The Prestigio and Maestro have a water level indicator on the tray.
2. Wash the tray and grilles. De'Longhi's cleaning chart allows them in the dishwasher, or under the tap with washing-up liquid.
3. Dry the counter and the tray housing, then slide the tray fully back in.
4. Empty it whenever the level indicator rises, and always at the end of descaling, when the manual tells you to.

Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 35%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 2: Lock the Portafilter All the Way (Works About 25% of the Time)

If espresso runs down the sides of the portafilter instead of out of its spouts, the first cause in all three manuals is a portafilter that isn't fully locked. Pump pressure finds the gap.

Signs it's this one: coffee drips from the edges of the portafilter during a shot, and the handle stopped short of CLOSE.

1. Knock out the coffee and wipe the rim of the basket.
2. Line the handle up with INSERT on the brewing unit.
3. Turn it firmly to the right, as far as it will go, until it's at CLOSE.
4. Pull a shot and watch the edges.

On the Prestigio and Maestro, a portafilter that won't lock into the brewing unit at all usually means too much coffee in the basket. Grind a smaller dose, and make sure the X2 setting matches the basket.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 25%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 3: Rinse a Clogged Filter Basket (Works About 15% of the Time)

A basket with blocked holes can't let coffee out fast enough, so pressure pushes it around the rim instead. All three manuals list a clogged filter as a cause of edge dripping.

Signs it's this one: the portafilter is locked properly, but the shot runs slowly and coffee still escapes at the edges.

1. Remove the basket from the portafilter.
2. Rinse it under plenty of running water. On the Maestro you can also use the Active Rinse function.
3. Hold it up to the light. Every hole should be clear.
4. Wash the portafilter and basket by hand. The cleaning charts don't allow them in the dishwasher.
5. If the basket keeps clogging on the Arte, grind a step coarser.

Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 15%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 4: Put Containers Under Every Outlet for Cleaning Cycles (Works About 15% of the Time)

Water all over the drip tray and counter during a cleaning routine is usually the routine working. Descaling runs descaler, then rinse water, out of the steam wand and the coffee outlet, and all three manuals have you put containers under the coffee outlet, the hot water spout and the steam wand. De'Longhi's picture calls for a container of about 2 liters, and the full cycle takes about 40 minutes.

Signs it's this one: the "leak" appeared during descaling, coffee outlet cleaning or Active Rinse, and stopped afterwards.

1. Before descaling, remove the portafilter and place containers under the coffee outlet, the hot water spout and the steam wand. The Maestro manual uses a separate container for the wand.
2. On the Maestro, fit the descaling accessory to the LatteCrema connection first, as its manual instructs.
3. Empty the containers when the first phase ends, before starting the rinse.
4. For the coffee outlet cleaning cycle (cleaning light orange on the Prestigio and Maestro), empty the drip tray first and fill the tank. Empty the tray again when the cycle ends.
5. On the Maestro, clean the LatteCrema System with a cup under the milk spout. It dispenses while it cleans.

Time: About 40 minutes for a descale
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 15%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 5: Have the Espresso Boiler Gasket Replaced (Works About 10% of the Time)

If coffee still leaks around the portafilter rim with the handle locked at CLOSE and a clean basket, the seal it presses against is the likely cause. De'Longhi's troubleshooting tables for all three models say the espresso boiler gasket can lose its elasticity or get dirty. The remedy they give is to have it replaced by Customer Services, not an owner repair.

1. Rule out Fixes 2 and 3 first. Lock the portafilter firmly with a freshly rinsed basket.
2. Pull a shot and watch. Coffee escaping around the rim every time points to the gasket.
3. Contact De'Longhi Customer Services, or an authorized service center found through delonghi.com, and describe it as espresso dripping from the portafilter edges.

Don't try to glue, tape or shim the gasket. The brewing unit is under pump pressure and hot water.

Time: Service visit
Cost: Depends on the service center and warranty
Success Rate: About 10%
Difficulty: Service job

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Model Differences

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When DIY Won't Work

Unplug the machine and stop using it if:

• Water collects underneath with the drip tray empty and dry.
• Water reaches the power cord socket at the back, or the breaker trips.
• All the lights flash (Prestigio), the triangle alarm light is on (Maestro) or the three temperature lights flash together (Arte). That's the general alarm, and the manuals say to contact Customer Services.

Warranty: all three manuals warn against removing the exterior or cover and say attempting a repair voids the warranty. Repairs are for authorized service personnel only. Find a service center through delonghi.com.

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Preventing Leaks on a La Specialista

• Empty the drip tray every time the level indicator rises, not when it's already full.
• Lock the portafilter to CLOSE every shot, and keep the dose at the basket's mark so it locks easily.
• Rinse the filter baskets under running water after use.
• Set up containers before any cleaning cycle, under every outlet the manual names.
• Descale when the descale light asks. Scale is on all three manuals' lists for slow or blocked delivery.

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FAQ

Is water in the La Specialista drip tray normal?

Yes. All three manuals say the internal water circuits discharge a small amount into the drip tray during normal use. Leftover pressure from the filter and the steam circuit is released on purpose after each use. Empty the tray regularly.

Why does my La Specialista leak underneath?

Almost always an overflowing drip tray. The water runs under the front edge and looks like it's coming from inside. Empty and dry the tray, then check again. If water collects with the tray empty, unplug the machine and contact De'Longhi.

Why does coffee leak from the sides of the portafilter?

The manuals give three causes: the portafilter isn't locked all the way to CLOSE, the filter basket is clogged, or the espresso boiler gasket has lost its elasticity or is dirty. The first two are quick fixes. The gasket is replaced by Customer Services.

Can I replace the La Specialista group gasket myself?

De'Longhi doesn't give owners a procedure for it. Its troubleshooting tables say to have the espresso boiler gasket replaced by Customer Services. Opening the machine voids the warranty.

Does the Smart Tamping Station leak water?

It shouldn't. The tamping station on the Prestigio and Maestro only grinds and presses dry coffee, and no manual lists a tamping-station leak. Water near it is more likely from the brewing unit or an overflowing drip tray.

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Related De'Longhi Guides

• La Specialista Arte not working
• La Specialista Smart Tamping not working
• La Specialista Prestigio not working
• De'Longhi leaking water: Magnifica, Dinamica and Dedica leaks
• De'Longhi descaling guide

Sources: De'Longhi Instructions for use for the EC915X (La Specialista Arte), EC935X (La Specialista Prestigio) and EC96XY (La Specialista Maestro), US/Canada editions; De'Longhi Data Sheet and Service Manual EC9355 (DSDL_20023_B) and EC9155 (DSDL_21010_A).