How to Fix a Dripping Steam Wand on the Breville Dual Boiler (BES920)

Breville Dual Boiler · BES900 / BES920

Steam valve
repair.

Stop a dripping steam wand by servicing the valve seals—and check the hardware before expecting a seal kit to solve the leak.

21 practical stepsAbout 30–45 minutesInternal repair

For BES900 and BES920 machines, confirm that the kit and valve match your model before starting.

Ball inside the steam-valve body as the middle section with a white washer is brought into position.
Check the ball orientation before forming the new seat washers. Full photo in step 17.

Before you start

About 30–45 minutes; allow longer for your first repair. Photograph the connections and part order as you go.

Work on a cool, unplugged machine

  • Unplug the machine and allow it to cool completely before opening it.
  • Keep the machine unplugged until the top cover, controls and every removed screw are refitted. Close the machine before any powered test.
  • DIY repairs carry risk. Stop if you are unsure about any disassembly or reassembly step.

Tools and supplies

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • T20 Torx driver
  • 13 mm and 14 mm spanners
  • Adjustable spanner or vice
  • 6 mm Allen key
  • Small flat-blade screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Wire brush for the ball valve
  • Food-grade grease (optional)

Current seal-kit contents

3× Red connection O-rings
2× White PTFE seat washers
1× 008 HNBR valve-key O-ring

Check the supplied kit contents and replace each seal in its matching original location.

Steam Valve Service Kit artwork showing seals for Breville Dual Boiler machines.

Watch the original repair

BrevTech · BES920 · 8:14

Fit the new kit washers and the correct 008 HNBR seal. Complete the refitting and closed-machine checks below before returning the machine to service.

Watch the repair video on YouTube. Use the timestamp links beside each step to watch the relevant operation. Follow the written instructions for the current kit and final checks.

Part 1 of 5
01

Unplug and cool

Unplug the machine and let it cool completely before starting.

02

Remove the front screws

Remove the two Phillips screws underneath the front panel.

Watch: Cover-removal overview 0:51
Two marked Phillips screw positions under the front panel of a Breville Dual Boiler.
Two marked Phillips screw positions under the front panel of a Breville Dual Boiler. BrevTech photo guide
03

Remove the rear screws

Remove the two T20 Torx screws at the back of the machine.

Watch: Cover-removal overview 0:51
Two marked Torx screw positions at the rear of a Breville Dual Boiler.
Two marked Torx screw positions at the rear of a Breville Dual Boiler. BrevTech photo guide
Part 2 of 5

Remove the steam valve

Watch: Lever and valve removal 1:27
05

Pull off the lever cover

Grip the steam lever cover firmly and pull it off; rubber gloves can help with grip.

Watch: Steam-handle removal 1:35
Gloved hand pulling the steam lever cover away from the front panel.
Gloved hand pulling the steam lever cover away from the front panel. BrevTech photo guide
06

Remove the actuator screw

Use a Phillips driver to remove the screw securing the steam dial actuator (SP0001712).

If this screw is rusted or seized, see the fallback note below.

Watch: Handle and actuator removal 1:27
Driver inserted into the screw at the steam dial actuator.
Driver inserted into the screw at the steam dial actuator. BrevTech photo guide
07

Release the valve assembly

Undo the two Phillips bracket screws, release the clips, and pull out the steam valve.

Watch: Freeing a corroded valve assembly 2:21
Steam valve in the machine with bracket screws and release points numbered.
Steam valve in the machine with bracket screws and release points numbered. BrevTech photo guide
Part 3 of 5
08

Remove the top section

Use a 13 mm spanner to remove the top valve section.

Watch: Bench-disassembly overview 2:35
13 mm spanner on the upper section of the removed steam valve.
13 mm spanner on the upper section of the removed steam valve. BrevTech photo guide
09

Loosen the lower section

Hold the valve with an adjustable spanner or vice and loosen the 14 mm lower section.

Watch: Lower-section loosening 2:58
Removed lower threaded section with its existing PTFE seat, held beside the body.
After removal: the lower threaded section and its existing white seat. Detail photo · 3:08
10

Open the middle section

Use a 6 mm Allen key to remove the middle section and expose the washer and ball valve.

Take care: The middle section can be tight.

Watch: Bench-disassembly overview 3:10
6 mm Allen key engaged in the middle section of the steam valve.
6 mm Allen key engaged in the middle section of the steam valve. BrevTech photo guide
Inspect before fitting new seals

Four faults a seal kit cannot fix

With the valve apart, check the working surfaces and coupling. Renewing seals helps only when the valve hardware remains serviceable.

Inspect the ball for pitting or surface damage.
Inspect the ball for pitting or surface damage. Detail photo · 4:52

Pitted or damaged ball

Scale may clean off with a wire brush. Pitting or damage to the ball needs replacement hardware; new seals alone will not repair that surface.

Watch: Inspect pitted or damaged ball 4:52
Inspect the ball key for wear.
Inspect the ball key for wear. Detail photo · 4:59

Worn ball key

Check the notch that engages the ball. If it is worn down and no longer engages properly, replace the damaged component.

Watch: Inspect worn ball key 4:59
Comparison of worn and intact valve-key openings.
Comparison of worn and intact valve-key openings. Detail photo · 5:13

Rounded or enlarged key opening

Look for wear that has rounded the original oval/keyed opening. The oval/keyed shape is the intended form, not the defect.

Watch: Inspect rounded or enlarged key opening 5:13
Check the actuator coupling for corrosion.
Check the actuator coupling for corrosion. Detail photo · 5:34

Damaged actuator coupling

Corrosion or wear in the internal steam-knob coupling can prevent correct valve operation. A seal-only service does not restore damaged coupling geometry.

Watch: Inspect damaged actuator coupling 5:34

If a component is pitted, badly worn or damaged, replace the affected component or valve assembly, or seek service. The seal-only kit is not a cure for damaged hardware.

Part 4 of 5

Renew the seals and seats

Watch: Bench-reassembly context 7:04
12

Take out the old washers

Use a small flat blade to remove both old washers, working gently on the deeper one.

Watch: Removing an existing seat washer 5:53
Small flat-blade tool lifting a washer from inside the steam-valve body.
Small flat-blade tool lifting a washer from inside the steam-valve body. BrevTech photo guide
13

Fit the two new PTFE seat washers

Replace each removed white washer in its matching original recess: one seat belongs on each side of the ball. Use the Allen key to guide the recessed seat into position.

Fit the new washers supplied with the kit; replace the old washers instead of turning them over.

Watch: Existing seat position in the body 7:07
Existing inner PTFE seat in the main valve body; this is not a newly installed washer.
Seat-location references: existing washers in the main body and removed end section. These frames show where the seats belong, not new washers being installed. Detail photo · 7:07
Removed lower threaded section with its existing PTFE seat, held beside the body.
Seat-location references: existing washers in the main body and removed end section. These frames show where the seats belong, not new washers being installed. Detail photo · 3:08
14

Fit the correct 008 HNBR O-ring

Remove the old valve-key O-ring and fit the specified 008 HNBR replacement from the kit. Keep sharp tools away from the new ring.

Fit the specified 008 HNBR seal to the moving valve key. Do not substitute a red/orange silicone ring.

Take care: Keep sharp tools away from the new O-ring so it is not nicked.

Watch: Why the 008 seal material matters 3:50
Hands stretching a green O-ring around the steam-valve key.
Hands stretching a green O-ring around the steam-valve key. BrevTech photo guide
15

Clean the ball valve

Brush away any buildup on the ball valve before refitting it.

Watch: Inspecting the ball surface 4:42
Wire brush cleaning buildup from the small steam-valve ball.
Wire brush cleaning buildup from the small steam-valve ball. BrevTech photo guide
16

Refit the valve key

If using food-grade grease, apply a small amount as an optional assembly aid. Refit the valve key and pull it into place with pliers.

Align the key so its notch engages the groove in the ball; match the original orientation recorded during disassembly.

17

Close the ball before seating the washers

Refit the ball in the CLOSED position, with its solid face outward as shown. Keep it closed while tightening the middle section so the new PTFE washers form around the ball correctly.

Take care: Tightening around the wrong ball position can permanently damage a new washer. Confirm the orientation before tightening.

Watch: Bench-reassembly overview 7:04
Ball inside the steam-valve body as the middle section with a white washer is brought into position.
Ball inside the steam-valve body as the middle section with a white washer is brought into position. BrevTech photo guide
18

Finish the valve seals

Replace each red connection seal in its matching original location, then reassemble the valve sections completely. Match the seals to those removed from your valve.

Keep the ball closed while finishing the seat-forming step.

Place each red O-ring in its verified original position. The kit contains three; the quantity supplied does not establish an additional fitment location.

Watch: Bench-reassembly overview 7:04
Part 5 of 5

Refit and check

19

Refit the serviced valve

Fit the serviced steam valve back in its bracket and restore the connections removed for access.

Refit the actuator screw and steam lever cover before moving the lever.

Serviced steam valve mounted back in the machine.
Serviced steam valve mounted back in the machine. BrevTech photo guide
20

Test the steam lever

With the machine still unplugged, move the lever through a few cycles to bed in the new washers. It may feel stiff at first.

Refit the actuator screw and lever cover before cycling the lever. Keep the machine unplugged.

21

Close the machine and check normal operation

Refit the top cover and all front and rear screws. Only then reconnect power and check normal steaming with the machine closed. If dripping or an external leak continues, switch off, unplug and seek further diagnosis.

Perform this closed-machine check after refitting the valve to confirm the result of your repair.

Final checklist

  • The ball is closed with its solid face outward; the valve sections and each original connection seal are reassembled in their matching positions.
  • The valve is refitted and the bracket and clips removed for access are restored.
  • The steam lever controls, top cover and all front and rear screws are fitted before restoring power.
  • The lever turns through a few cycles to bed in the new washers, and the steam wand has been checked for continued dripping.

If dripping, an external leak, unusual movement or an electrical fault remains, switch off, unplug and seek further diagnosis.

If the repair gets complicated

The actuator screw is seized or rusted

The existing guide describes a 5 mm drill-bit fallback to remove the head of a seized actuator screw, then removing the remaining thread with pliers. This is an advanced recovery step; seek technician help if you are unsure. The main procedure assumes the fastener can be removed normally.

The lever feels stiff after fitting new seats

With the machine unplugged and the actuator and lever cover refitted, move the lever through a few cycles to bed in the new washers. Recheck assembly if the movement is abnormal. Close the machine before any powered check.

Fresh seals have not stopped the leak

Revisit the ball, key, housing opening and actuator coupling checks. New seals cannot restore worn or damaged hardware. Replace the affected component or valve assembly, or seek service.

Return to the four hardware checks
Work on a cool, unplugged machine and refit every cover before a powered check. If anything is uncertain, stop and use a qualified technician. Read the BrevTech repair disclaimer.