Espresso machine short?

[kohi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kohi]

I have a Grimac La Uno espresso machine which is in need of some help.

When the machine is turned on and it begins heating up a smell and noise likened to an electric short occurs. This stops once the machine has reached pressure and the heating ceases. Then when heating begins again and pressure is raised, the noise and smell occur again. When the heating/pressure build ceases the smell and noise stops. Therefore, I can only assume the link between the heating/build up of pressure and the noise and smell means there is an issue with the heating element.

I have had the machine for just over 2 years using it domestically (ie coffees for 2 on the weekend) and whilst it has not had a formal service, the thermostat was replaced about 6 months ago by an espresso machine technician who also gave it a quick "once over" and said that all appeared fine.

The machine is able to continue producing my desired coffee, however I fear it may be either causing long term damage, the heating element will cease to operate, or someone will be electrocuted (???!!!).

Has anyone encountered this issue themselves or know how it can be fixed?

[kohi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kohi]

Re: Espresso machine short?

Thanks for the info!

Unfortunately that technician was when I was in Sydney. Im now in Melbourne so does anybody have a recommendation?

[askthecoffeeguy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close askthecoffeeguy]

Re: Espresso machine short?

You can do a search on the net for a registered repairer, or, generally, any of the largish coffee houses usually have their own in-house repair service.

If this doesnt work, you can pm me and I can point you in the right direction...

Cheers,

Pat

[kohi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kohi]

Re: Espresso machine short?

I contacted the large coffee house who is (or used to be??) the distributor for this type of machine last week but they indicated that they dont really work with Grimacs anymore. And quite frankly after personally visiting them in both 2001 and 2004 to purchase an espresso machine and being informed (both times) that the sales manager/person would call me back in regards to my purchase, only to still be waiting (for both calls)........ Well, call me perceptive, or just plain paranoid, but something tells me they dont really care for my business (I later bought it from a shop who is now out of business so I cant contact them either).

And so I thought if I could give my business to someone who is looking for some business then its a perfect match really. Anyway that was my thought so hence my post. I had also searched the internet but my search criteria must be out because I didnt get alot back. Ill keep delving, but if you know of someone.........

[mattm Member Find all posts View Profile Close mattm]

Re: Espresso machine short?

Kohi,
send chris from talk coffee a pm.

not sure wether he works on your machine but he will know someone in your area who does, plus his customer service is way ahead of any of the local places ive found up here in brissie.

mattm

[TC . Find all posts View Profile Close TC]

Re: Espresso machine short?

Kohi,
send chris from talk coffee a pm.

not sure wether he works on your machine but he will know someone in your area who does, plus his customer service is way ahead of any of the local places ive found up here in brissie.

mattm

Hmm...I regret that that sorta job is beyond me...I try to stay clear of electricals wherever possible (as is best when you dont have a qualification in them )...

How about the guys at Veneziano?

[mattm Member Find all posts View Profile Close mattm]

Re: Espresso machine short?

Sorry about dobbing you in chris, but i knew youd know someone who could help

[Lovey Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lovey]

Re: Espresso machine short?

I have a Grimac La Uno espresso machine which is in need of some help.

When the machine is turned on and it begins heating up a smell and noise likened to an electric short occurs.  This stops once the machine has reached pressure and the heating ceases. Then when heating begins again and pressure is raised, the noise and smell occur again. When the heating/pressure build ceases the smell and noise stops.  Therefore, I can only assume the link between the heating/build up of pressure and the noise and smell means there is an issue with the heating element.

The machine is able to continue producing my desired coffee, however I fear it may be either causing long term damage, the heating element will cease to operate, or someone will be electrocuted (???!!!).

Has anyone encountered this issue themselves or know how it can be fixed?

Gday Kohi,
Based strictly on on the description of your observations you have provided, ie sound and smell, and without actually seeing the machine in person, it sounds like the pressurestat contacts are arcing. That is when the contact points open up, there is an arc (or spark if you like) jumping across the gap in the points. The long term effect could be either:
a) short circuit between the contacts, where they have been welded together by the constant arcing. This will cause your heating element to remain on all the time (bad). Or,
b) open circuit between the contacts, where they have literally cooked themselves and can no longer carry an electric current (also bad).
This should be an easy fix (provided that is the only problem with it) for a suitably qualified tech to repair (provided you can find a good one  )
Hope this helps.

--Edited to reflect 2mcms post re a qualified person doing the repair --

[TC . Find all posts View Profile Close TC]

Re: Espresso machine short?

Agreed Lovey- That diagnosis makes sense to me!

It should be a simple fix- but for peace of mind, I think its probably still better to get somebody qualified to do the job

2mcm