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Via venezia leaking pressure?

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  • Colinc
    replied
    Exploding Coffee - is this the valve?

    Thanks for the info - time to do some cleaning.

    Just wondering if this valve is the same as the one advertised as a Steam Valve on various places around the net ?
    Barista SIN 006 Steam Valve Repair 7pc. Kit



    Originally posted by noidle22 View Post
    What is happening, as happens on many small single boiler machines, is that the boiler retention valve leaks steam during the steaming process.

    The retention valve is a small silicone seal which is held under spring pressure onto the water outlet hole of the boiler. When making espresso, the pump pressure overcomes the spring pressure and water flows from the group head.
    When the pump is off, the silicone seal is meant to hold the water and steam in the boiler.

    Over time, this seal can perish or scale/debris can become stuck on the seal and the valve seat. When the boiler is under steam pressure, the steam can leak past the seal. This steam then forces its way into the puck and essentially makes it and the portafilter part of the boiler.

    When you remove the portafilter, you are pretty much opening the boiler and releasing all of the steam pressure. This is what sends the coffee flying and why it is so dry.

    To fix this, remove the shower screen and remove the retention valve screw using a wide flat head screwdriver. Clean the valve and then use a fine grade (1000-1500 grit) wet/dry sandpaper to lightly sand down the valve seat to make it smooth again. Wrap the sandpaper around a small flat head screwdriver or similar object and twist it around on the valve seat. You may need to repeat it several times to get it clean and smooth.
    Also descale the boiler in case there are scale flakes that make their way back onto the valve which would cause the same problem again.

    If you still have the problem after doing this, you will need to replace the silicone valve itself.

    Leave a comment:


  • noidle22
    replied
    What is happening, as happens on many small single boiler machines, is that the boiler retention valve leaks steam during the steaming process.

    The retention valve is a small silicone seal which is held under spring pressure onto the water outlet hole of the boiler. When making espresso, the pump pressure overcomes the spring pressure and water flows from the group head.
    When the pump is off, the silicone seal is meant to hold the water and steam in the boiler.

    Over time, this seal can perish or scale/debris can become stuck on the seal and the valve seat. When the boiler is under steam pressure, the steam can leak past the seal. This steam then forces its way into the puck and essentially makes it and the portafilter part of the boiler.

    When you remove the portafilter, you are pretty much opening the boiler and releasing all of the steam pressure. This is what sends the coffee flying and why it is so dry.

    To fix this, remove the shower screen and remove the retention valve screw using a wide flat head screwdriver. Clean the valve and then use a fine grade (1000-1500 grit) wet/dry sandpaper to lightly sand down the valve seat to make it smooth again. Wrap the sandpaper around a small flat head screwdriver or similar object and twist it around on the valve seat. You may need to repeat it several times to get it clean and smooth.
    Also descale the boiler in case there are scale flakes that make their way back onto the valve which would cause the same problem again.

    If you still have the problem after doing this, you will need to replace the silicone valve itself.

    Leave a comment:


  • MrJack
    replied
    Originally posted by thebrownbean View Post
    bumping this thread. I recently noticed that my Via Venezia (10 months old) seems to build up excessive pressure at times at the group head.
    On some occasions, when I remove the portafilter, there would be a burst of pressure and the wet coffee grounds would splatter around the tray area.

    Would it be anything to do with the grind size? Would things improve if I change from using a pressurized portafilter, to a non-pressurized one? Thanks and appreciate any help on this.
    Originally posted by mulquemi View Post
    SKU/Part #: 128452403 Check this part on your machine,seems yours is blocked as the pressure relief should come into play.

    Cheers
    Mick
    What makes you think "excessive pressure" is the problem?

    A quick google suggests the Via Venezia doesn't have a three-way valve. That right? In which case, there is only one path for fluid to exit (which is what causes the pressure to fall) - via the puck!

    A finer grind creates greater resistance to flow and thus could well slow the "depressurisation" process, resulting in a "sneeze" when you unlock the portafilter (a sudden expansion of water/ steam. One of the things I disliked about my old Breville, was the wait between shots.

    Pressure relief has nothing to do with it.

    Edit: I bow realise this is pretty old thread (been a lot of that happening lately), but hopefully this is useful to someone
    Last edited by MrJack; 9 October 2016, 07:15 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • Colinc
    replied
    Exploding coffee grounds

    Originally posted by thebrownbean View Post
    bumping this thread. I recently noticed that my Via Venezia (10 months old) seems to build up excessive pressure at times at the group head.
    On some occasions, when I remove the portafilter, there would be a burst of pressure and the wet coffee grounds would splatter around the tray area.

    Would it be anything to do with the grind size? Would things improve if I change from using a pressurized portafilter, to a non-pressurized one? Thanks and appreciate any help on this.
    Hi,
    I know this is going back a bit but I wonder if you solved this problem? Mine on occasion does this as well, but it is not just around the tray it sends grounds for about a 3 meter radius. When I does this the grounds are really dry - it seems Lille they weren't wet at all?

    Leave a comment:


  • Stoffy
    replied
    Originally posted by themagicstorybag View Post
    I realise this is an old thread, but we were having similar pressure issues to thebrownbean above and one day the shower screen came off in the portafilter. We still have the screen and screw, but I am unsure if we have lost the spring, mushroom valve and/or thread Does the screw just screw into the spring (which fits into the thread attached to where the portafilter fits in) and we have probably just lost the www spring? Or is it likely that when the shower screen came loose that we would have lost the spring, mushroom valve and thread?
    Hi, I don't know how the shower screen came off into your porta filter? Anyway sounds like it had become loose so it's probably a good opportunity to maybe check to see 8f you need to replace the spring valve and rubber seal? YouTube is your friend in this case as you'll see some info on Seattle Coffee Gear about replacing these. Even if you don't you'll see how and where these fit into your machine to give you an idea on what could have happened.
    Regards
    Chris.

    Leave a comment:


  • themagicstorybag
    replied
    I realise this is an old thread, but we were having similar pressure issues to thebrownbean above and one day the shower screen came off in the portafilter. We still have the screen and screw, but I am unsure if we have lost the spring, mushroom valve and/or thread Does the screw just screw into the spring (which fits into the thread attached to where the portafilter fits in) and we have probably just lost the www spring? Or is it likely that when the shower screen came loose that we would have lost the spring, mushroom valve and thread?

    Leave a comment:


  • mulquemi
    replied
    SKU/Part #: 128452403 Check this part on your machine,seems yours is blocked as the pressure relief should come into play.

    Cheers
    Mick

    Leave a comment:


  • thebrownbean
    replied
    bumping this thread. I recently noticed that my Via Venezia (10 months old) seems to build up excessive pressure at times at the group head.
    On some occasions, when I remove the portafilter, there would be a burst of pressure and the wet coffee grounds would splatter around the tray area.

    Would it be anything to do with the grind size? Would things improve if I change from using a pressurized portafilter, to a non-pressurized one? Thanks and appreciate any help on this.

    Leave a comment:


  • stevo141
    replied
    Via venezia leaking pressure?

    Some good info in here for new VV/single boiler owners, thanks. Would be good to have it in its own thread with an appropriate title (I dont have permission yet!).
    More specifically i'm referring to priming the boiler, loosening the shower screen screw to overcome the "shower" (get an even flow), temperature surfing and of course the steam wand mod.

    Leave a comment:


  • CafeLotta
    replied
    Good to here your Via Venezia is back to peak service again! Hope you have heaps of fun experimenting with getting the best out of it.

    P.S. Just remembered that when I was experimenting with mine, I found out that in earlier times the pre-pod ready machines supposedly had a shower screen that had holes over the entire screen surface rather than just to suit the diameter of pods. Never did find one myself but if you can get hold of one it may give slightly better coverage over the filter basket. Not essential but if you can be bothered tracking one down it might be interesting to try it for the hell of it! These are from the compatible Starbucks Barista machine - The pod screen on the left, the fuller coverage screen on the right.



    Click image for larger version

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    Last edited by CafeLotta; 17 July 2013, 10:56 AM.

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  • bottomless
    replied
    Thanks for the tips CafeLotta, i've made the shower screen less tight and the water flow looks more evenly distributed.

    and with the original problem , I managed to take out the screw that had that spring in it. Looked clean , and I had put it back in. Had a feeling it may have come loose as it is now running like normal again , thanks heaps !

    Leave a comment:


  • CafeLotta
    replied
    The flow through the Via Venezia shower screen can be effected by the tightness of the shower screen screw. Try running water through the screen once you've re-assembled and if its not an even flow, loosen or tighten the screw a little to get an even flow pattern. Don't forget to check out temperature surfing once you're fully up and running. Makes a big difference with the Via Venezia due to the stainless boiler. It heats quickly but also cools quicker than a brass boiler.

    Due to the small boiler its not a bad idea to re-prime if you brew first then steam. Doesn't take long and heats back up quickly. Just gives that extra little bit of protection for the heating element I feel.

    Leave a comment:


  • bottomless
    replied
    Originally posted by CafeLotta View Post
    Forgot to ask in my earlier reply whether you prime the boiler when you first switch on the Via Venezia? With no other buttons pressed in, open the steam knob and run 1/2 cup or so of water through until there is a steady stream with no air "gulps". This will ensure you have a full boiler when you heat up to brew.
    Yep I prime the boiler as soon as I turn it on just like how you said.. Thanks for the comprehensive answer on how to fix the problem, will have to give it a go today

    on a side note i think i followed your instructions before and installed the breville wand on it (makes great foam like the cafes ) and received my bottomless about a week ago, still getting used to it. quite a bit of fun .

    Leave a comment:


  • CafeLotta
    replied
    Forgot to ask in my earlier reply whether you prime the boiler when you first switch on the Via Venezia? With no other buttons pressed in, open the steam knob and run 1/2 cup or so of water through until there is a steady stream with no air "gulps". This will ensure you have a full boiler when you heat up to brew.

    Leave a comment:


  • CafeLotta
    replied
    If the machine is only 2 months old it should be under warranty. If you disassemble yourself it will void the warranty.
    Having said that the comment below was in reference to a similar query to yours a while back. Might help to give you an idea of what could be occurring-

    "The Saeco Via Venezia does leak a little water from the group head as it heats up to steam temp as mentioned by others. If it is excessive you can try to remove and clean the area around the mushroom valve which sits above the shower screen screw. The link below has a parts diagram for a Starbucks Barista which is a rebadged Saeco Via Venezia for the USA market. There are also photos of the parts further down the page.

    Saeco Espresso Machines, Parts for Saeco and Starbucks espresso machine

    Refer to Drawing 2. Remove the Shower Screen screw (No. 48) and Shower Screen (No. 47). Then use a fairly thick tip flat blade screw driver to unscrew the mushroom valve holder (No. 45), which the Shower Screen screw came out of. If you use the wrong size screwdriver you can damage this part so be careful, it should fit snugly. Once it comes loose take care not to lose the spring (No. 44) and mushroom valve (No. 42) which fit above it. When these are removed, flush some water through by pressing the brew button. Check the mushroom valve isn't damaged before replacing.

    If it still leaks after reassembling you can then try to stretch the spring a tiny bit to increase pressure on the mushroom valve but don't over do it. If this doesn't work you may need to replace the mushroom valve and spring.

    Pressure building up excessively in the portafilter due to grinding too fine, may cause back-pressure that forces very fine particles into the area behind the Shower Screen and possibly near the mushroom valve. Always a good idea to flush through after brewing as well as removing the shower screen and cleaning behind it every now and then."

    Leave a comment:

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