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HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

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  • HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

    I finally got my Faema E98 (purchased on the “Hardware For Sale” section on here) home last night and fired it up. My problem is that it doesn’t heat up, even after being on for 45mins. Everything else appears to work – pump works, water comes out of the grouphead, but the water is cold and the boiler pressure gauge doesn’t budge from zero.

    Note that this machine is BRAND NEW, and has never been used before, so I’m doubtful that any parts could be broken/faulty as presumably it was tested at the factory and worked ok then.

    So, before I put it in for repair, or try to see if I can get it fixed under warrantee, are there any simple things I can check first? Could I have missed some important step when I was setting it up? These are the steps I followed when I got it home:

    1. Unpacked machine and set it up on counter.
    2. Filled reservoir with water.
    3. Turned on power.
    4. Pressed “boiler fill” button until I heard pump prime with water and water level on sight glass increase to over half-way (was already showing some water in boiler before I filled it – maybe from factory testing?)
    5. Turned on brew switch – water came out grouphead, so far so good.
    6. Allowed time fore machine to heat up, but it never heated up.

    Is there anything I can check? Any ideas what may be wrong? Where should I go from here?

    thanks,
    Bill

  • #2
    Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

    Bill,

    This might sound stupid but :.....

    You are turning the power switch to position 2.....

    Position 1 is all but heaters..... position 2 adds the heaters.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

      Theres a position 2??!!   :-[
      I thought it was just on or off. Gee I feel stupid now. Ill check that out tonight.

      thanks JavaB!  

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

        Just checking the manual at work. Theres no mention of a position "2" in the manual that I can see.

        Manual states "Turn main swith to position "1". If water in boiler is lower than the MIN level, press boiler fill button and keep depressed until the floating ball reaches MAX. Heating now begins."

        They couldve made that manual more clear/complete!

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

          Bill,

          The Faema and La Cimbalis Ive seen (admittedly older than yours) all have a two position main switch..... so you can fill the boiler before turning on the elements....

          It is possible they have done away with this "safety feature"

          See left hand switch below:

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

            Yep, Im sure youre right. I think that photo is of my actual machine!

            The photo in the manual only apperas to have "0" and "1" on their machine though, so maybe theres been some different variations of it.

            Thanks for your help. I feel like a complete idiot though. Ill just run and hide somewhere now.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

              Youll do no such thing! No such thing as a stupid question even if something is pretty obvious once you know the answer (and what solutions arent when you know the answer?!). Chances are youll have answered the same question for someone else down the track.

              Greg

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              • #8
                Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                Yep, there was a position "2" on the switch. It works now.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                  Congratulations Bill...

                  They are a fantastic machine - very well built and it will make you some fantastic espressos.....

                  It is just a cut down version of my M20 (and that is a great machine IMHO)..

                  Let us know how you go.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                    Originally posted by JavaB link=1202177427/0#8 date=1202213216
                    Congratulations Bill...

                    They are a fantastic machine - very well built and it will make you some fantastic espressos.....

                    It is just a cut down version of my M20 (and that is a great machine IMHO)..

                    Let us know how you go.
                    Seems to work well, but I have to get used to it I think. Its somewhat different to the Silvia, particularly in regards to steaming. Also have to work out a flushing technique to get the right temps out of it.

                    The double filter basket that came with it looks quite similar to the Synesso ones, but holds about 2gm less than the LM double Ive got. Fortunately my Pullman tamper appears to be a pretty good fit in it.

                    The boiler pressure cycles between a little below 0.85, to just slightly over 1.0 - not sure if that setting is ideal or not. Thats at the very low end of the "green" zone on the pressure gauge. Should the pressurestat be set higher than that?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                      Bill,

                      Changes to the pressurestat will affect the brew temperature as well.... so Id try before you alter anything. That pressure range is pretty well identical to what most of us who run commercial machines use..... Any higher and you need much longer cooling flushes and you will have even more steam when you texture your milk - and around 0.9 Bar is plenty for that....

                      Yes, cooling flushes are very important.

                      See: http://www.home-barista.com/junior-buyers-guide-espresso-performance.html

                      and the links from that page for some valuable hints on flushing..... it makes a great use for volumetric buttons -if you had them- (which otherwise wouldnt be used :)...

                      And you are correct - it is no Silvia and requires quite different techniques to get the best results.... but once mastered the results are fantastic.

                      Enjoy!!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                        Ok, cool. Thanks for the info.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                          Hi Bill

                          Good to hear that youve got your machine safely back home, and that youve solved your problem...

                          My machine only has one position which is ON for both heating elements and pump. Its a couple of years old. Perhaps there is some recent developments... or maybe my machine is older than I thought.

                          My pressure guage also cycles between 0.85 and about 1 and a wee bit just to bottom of green area. Probably factory set.

                          Mine requires quite a decent cooling flush, and that article in Home Barista is very useful

                          And I think that the manual leaves a lot to be desired.

                          Regards and enjoy
                          Robert

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                            Thanks Robert.

                            Yes, that manual seems pretty useless.

                            The Home Barista article is very good. I had read it some time ago, but I think I need to re-read it more carefully now that I have the machine up and running.

                            How are you finding the steaming? Are you getting good microfoam from it yet?

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: HELP! Faema E98 S1 (aka Cimbali Jnr) problem

                              HI Bill

                              Got a good microfoam ONCE and once only. So I know the machine knows how to do it.... Im just not sure what I did to do that, so I dont know how to repeat it .... more experimenting required.... but I only use a small amount of milk or none in my drinks so I waste a lot and I dont get a lot of practice. Im sure that you with your exprience will master it soon

                              Did you read this thread? http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1202017308
                              I found it encouraging. Let me know how you go.

                              Regards
                              Robert

                              Comment

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