So the machine is resembling a dodo....... Element gone. Engineer reckons that there is major descaling to be done also plus a couple of other minor things. Probable cost £500+ - way more than the machine is worth given that it is ~19 years old with something failing every year or so.
Time to browse eBay and various forums to pick a replacement
If anyone knows of a used decent machine looking for a new home with the following attributes
Plumbed in rather than reservoir
Automatic if possible, but not a major killer if not
Large tank as used for other hot drinks regularly, although main use is espresso
Single group
Good if it looks nice, although the Rancilio S26 set a pretty low bar in this respect
Old is OK as long as everything functional (Our S26 was age 9 at purchase & lasted for 10 years with a couple of minor repairs)
Commercial machine OK (in fact preferred) as size not an issue & these tend to be more robust & engineered to last
Budget of £500
There are three intolerable things in life - cold coffee, lukewarm champagne, and overexcited women.
Orson Welles (1915 - 1985)