Hi, I have a Faema E98 Compact A1 thats been in storage for at least two years. Since Im a new member I cant include a picture or a hyperlink in this post, but if youll copy/paste the subject line to Google youll see fairly close to the top of the list a link to the 1st Line Equipment website and their picture of the machine I have.
Prior to storing it was used about three times a week to pull a shot or two. It wasnt plumbed, the built in tank was used. The water was hard, theres a fair amount of calcium buildup on the walls of the tank and on the filter that floated in the water - which I suspect was past due for replacement but still in service.
I used to have one just like this in the coffee bar that I worked at years ago. Nice machine. All service and maintenance on that was done by an outside company. Id like to have a go at this one myself.
I filled the tank with water and fired it up and it came up to pressure in about eleven minutes. I attempted to flow water through the group head. Some came through but I noticed that the pump didnt engage to pull water into the boiler so I stopped the water flow. I briefly checked the water spigot and steam arm on the right, both worked although I only used each for a second or two. I didnt try the milk frothing attachment on the left.
All this testing, while minimal, used up the small amount of water that was held in the boiler during storage. The red boiler light on the display panel came on. My memory says that that when that light comes on, I should hear the pump engage and water should be pulled from the tank and into the boiler. No such luck.
After a short time, the machine sounded a brief alarm, and the boiler light on the display panel started flashing. I turned the machine off.
So, thats where I am. I know how to release the side panels with the spring-loaded allen screws on the top, but I have no parts diagram to let me know what is what in that tangle of tubes and wires I see inside the machine. I think the first thing I should check is if the pump is seized up, but I dont know where the pump is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers and thanks.
Prior to storing it was used about three times a week to pull a shot or two. It wasnt plumbed, the built in tank was used. The water was hard, theres a fair amount of calcium buildup on the walls of the tank and on the filter that floated in the water - which I suspect was past due for replacement but still in service.
I used to have one just like this in the coffee bar that I worked at years ago. Nice machine. All service and maintenance on that was done by an outside company. Id like to have a go at this one myself.
I filled the tank with water and fired it up and it came up to pressure in about eleven minutes. I attempted to flow water through the group head. Some came through but I noticed that the pump didnt engage to pull water into the boiler so I stopped the water flow. I briefly checked the water spigot and steam arm on the right, both worked although I only used each for a second or two. I didnt try the milk frothing attachment on the left.
All this testing, while minimal, used up the small amount of water that was held in the boiler during storage. The red boiler light on the display panel came on. My memory says that that when that light comes on, I should hear the pump engage and water should be pulled from the tank and into the boiler. No such luck.
After a short time, the machine sounded a brief alarm, and the boiler light on the display panel started flashing. I turned the machine off.
So, thats where I am. I know how to release the side panels with the spring-loaded allen screws on the top, but I have no parts diagram to let me know what is what in that tangle of tubes and wires I see inside the machine. I think the first thing I should check is if the pump is seized up, but I dont know where the pump is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers and thanks.

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