Faema e98 Compact A1 issues :-(

[Trixitrine]

Thankyou that was actually helpful. I’m not 100% sure, either, how it was configured by the previous owner. But I have a suspicion it’s not right. Like maybe partially done, I don’t know. I need to investigate further. Currently I have actually narrowed it down to where the problem is; when I switch on the group head water gushes out of the internal tank overflow hose (and might I add, if I hadn’t taken the tray out I would never have been able to confirm that). I have no idea how that hose even has a water source, is it even possible for it to back flow out of the boiler to the tank and out that hose instead of out the group head? I think unlikely given that the water I have in that tank does not cover that overflow outlet anyway, not that it could, given the purpose of the hole. And further to that my waste hose is definitely blocked. I think they minor issues really (in the big picture and for someone that knows what they are doing anyway) like nothing has catastrophically failed, I think just configured incorrectly. Thankyou for acknowledging it is a complex machine, too. Obviously the wiring part hasn’t been done because it wants water in that tank so that’s one thing that seems certain.

[noidle22]

This machine is one of the most internally complex machines Faema ever made. To switch from tank operation to plumb in operation, the level probes wiring on the lid above the water tank need to be connected together, this gives an always full signal to the controller so it won't give you water level alerts. The inlet fitting of the pump then needs to be rotated sideways to accept a water line. Seems like the fitting rotation was already done, unsure of the water level probe situation.
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Beyond this, it's difficult to give any more information on where to start given the complexity of this machine and your inexperience. Don't take it personally that you were called out on the video, you were just unlucky enough to pick a machine that puts all of its vital electronics directly under the group head. It is fairly well protected from any stray water, in most cases you could dump a bucket of water directly onto the metal cover and no damage would be done, however, it's always the rare case when things go bad.

The user manual for the machine was linked earlier, this gives a full guide on how to configure the machine to plumbed in operation. If you have carried out all of the steps in the manual but are still not having success, you would be best taking it to a professional for a thorough checkup. This way you know the machine will be working correctly and safely.

[Trixitrine]

Oh and yes based on my current conclusions after todays investigations, it may be improperly configured. I’m working on that but I’m a bit too stupid to work it out quickly.

[Trixitrine]

Ok well I’ve been told I’m a useless waste of space enough times in my life now, that I honestly don’t know why I keep trying to do anything at all. I may as well be dead anyway eh.
Just for the record this was never meant to be a fixer-upper, that’s why I tried to establish it was working fine when I bought it. Because I know damn well that it’s above me. I keep doing stupid things like this on some false notion that I can manage. But it always backfires.
I will crawl back into my pit now and stop wasting everyone’s time. Thankyou and I’m sorry for consuming your time. (I’m not being sarcastic, btw. Yeah Genuinely sorry I keep wasting space. Honesty.)

[Javaphile]

Trixitrine

...I did read that thread, and that is the one I read before I think, where it was discussed about this machine liking to have water in its internal tank, regardless of configuration...

If that was your takeaway from that thread then I suggest you go back and reread it as while that was mentioned early on in the thread it was not the final conclusion stated in the thread. The machines that had water in the holding tank but did not use it/draw water from the tank were improperly configured.

Honestly, based on what you've shown/said I don't think you have the experience/knowledge to safely work on this machine. You've violated one of the most basic safety rules of working around electricity and water and quite frankly you're extremely lucky to still be alive. I strongly suggest you bring in someone who is knowledgeable about how to safely work around electricity and water so we don't read about you in the Sunday Obits. Fixing your machine is not worth loosing your life.


Java "We prefer our users to be picking the daisies, not pushing them up!" phile

[Trixitrine]

This has a rotary pump and no switch

[Trixitrine]

Why are you running the machine with-out the drip tray in place?!?!? You're looking to electrocute yourself and destroy your machine all at the same time!!!

SAFETY FIRST!!!

You need to determine how your machine is set-up to operate and IF it's configured correctly. Read the thread I linked to in my previous post and using it and the manual figure out if it's set up to run from the tank or straight from the plumbed in water source.


Java "First things first" phile

Yes, sorry I’ve been told off by my friend also, now - drip tray is back on. I was just trying to see what was happening back there.
I did read that thread, and that is the one I read before I think, where it was discussed about this machine liking to have water in its internal tank, regardless of configuration, and I do also know about how it doesn’t have a switch, and that it needs to be plumbed and wired specifically for each function.
Im working on understanding what I’m seeing in front of me vs what I’m looking at in the pictures of the manual, still trying to orient myself with all that. But I’m pretty sure based on observations, that my machine is currently configured for plumb in rather than internal tank. But I assure you I am reading what you tell me to read and I immensely appreciate your assistance, big learning curve for me

[saeco_user]

Gicar / electronics in black box under drip tray. Could explain sparks you were seeing!

[LeroyC]

Unless there's a variation on this model I'm not aware of, always a possibility, neither of these statements are correct. There is no switch to turn/flip/push for going from direct plumbed (Internal tank not used.) to pulling water from the internal tank. You can be plumbed in and still pull water from the internal tank or you can use the internal tank with no water source plumbed in and fill it manually from a pitcher. Only if you are using the built in tank as the water source for the machine should there be any water in it. Switching between the three options requires the physical reconfiguration of water lines and an electrical circuit.. Java "Pretty well covered here" phile

Hmmm ok. I’ve never owned one so I’m probably wrong then, but I thought that’s how I remembered it working on one that I inspected a few years ago. I was considering buying it, but didn’t go ahead so the one coffee I made on that machine is the sole interaction I’ve had with this model. It’s been a while but I thought I remembered there being a switch of some sort as it used a vibe pump which isn’t particularly common in plumbable machines.

[Javaphile]

Did you switch it over to plumbed water supply? There’s an actual switch that you need to use, you don’t just hook it up and get started. And yes you’re right that there does need to be water in the internal tank even if you’re using plumbed water.

Unless there's a variation on this model I'm not aware of, always a possibility, neither of these statements are correct. There is no switch to turn/flip/push for going from direct plumbed (Internal tank not used.) to pulling water from the internal tank. You can be plumbed in and still pull water from the internal tank or you can use the internal tank with no water source plumbed in and fill it manually from a pitcher. Only if you are using the built in tank as the water source for the machine should there be any water in it.

Switching between the three options requires the physical reconfiguration of water lines and an electrical circuit..


Java "Pretty well covered here" phile

[LeroyC]

Did you switch it over to plumbed water supply? There’s an actual switch that you need to use, you don’t just hook it up and get started. And yes you’re right that there does need to be water in the internal tank even if you’re using plumbed water.

[Javaphile]

Why are you running the machine with-out the drip tray in place?!?!? You're looking to electrocute yourself and destroy your machine all at the same time!!!

SAFETY FIRST!!!

You need to determine how your machine is set-up to operate and IF it's configured correctly. Read the thread I linked to in my previous post and using it and the manual figure out if it's set up to run from the tank or straight from the plumbed in water source.


Java "First things first" phile

[Trixitrine]

That is interesting. I do believe it has a rotary pump, and we did put the hose in a bucket when I was testing it, but it eventually ran out of water so I assumed that wasn’t working and that I had just been using water that was already in the boiler 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway… there has been some progress. I actually remembered that I had read a discussion on this forum about these machines ‘needing’ to have water in the internal tank, even if it doesn’t use it, due to some sensor in there.
And I realised that is one thing I’m doing different, because I did put water in that tank when I was testing it because I wasn’t sure which way it had been configured (I do know about that option, yeah, but decided to stick with a water bottle source ongoing)
and it is acting better, and I may be closer to figuring out the issue and I may be able to stave off my existential crisis.
Not out of the woods yet, nor have I got a definitive answer, but for one; it is working better with the water in the tank even though it isn’t using it,
and two; there appears to be a leak probably between the boiler and the group head, that is causing there to be not enough water getting out/to the group head… thoughts??

https://youtube.com/shorts/bDpKuzMB5gg?

https://youtube.com/shorts/5-FBRtoerws?

[Javaphile]

If your machine has a rotary pump in it, not all of them do, you can run it direct from the bucket of water using the internal pump to draw the water and do away with the external pump. If you do this install a check valve into the intake line to prevent the water draining out of the line when the pump turns off. This keeps the pump from loosing prime and running dry, which is a very bad thing for a rotary pump!

Alternatively you can set it up to run not connected to a water line at all. The e98 A1 has an internal tank and can be configured to run from the tank with no water line connected in which case you fill the tank by hand from a pitcher of water. Have a read of this thread for a discussion of this as well as other things you should be aware of with your machine.


Java "Have a read" phile

[tompoland]

Looks like it's in good nick so crossing fingers for you.