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Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :((((

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  • Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :((((

    Hi there

    had my usual this morning (Rancilio Silvia // espresso) - no probs - all good

    an hour later, went for my usual second and .... nothing .... just noise from the pump etc - checked water level (OK) - twisted the steamer to see if any water comes out - yep - OK !!

    Turned off - left it for while (30mins) - then switched back on etc - still the same - now 3 hours of on/off etc - plenty of water from the steamer wand - plenty of steam if required - just nothing through the head.

    Any ideas?

    many thanks

    (desperate and twitching)

  • #2
    Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  (((

    Gday Hiker,
    when the brew witch is activated and you can hear the pump running, check the exhaust tube for the three way valve in the drip tray. If there is water coming out of that, the 3 way valve is stuck.
    If theres no water coming from there, check the tubes in the water tank. Lift out the shorter of the 2 tubes, this is the tube from the over pressure valve (OPV), the other one with the angled cut end is the water intake. If water is coming out of that tube, theres other problems to diagnose, but start with the 3 way first.
    Good luck with it.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  (((

      Originally posted by Lovey link=1184809164/0#1 date=1184810602
      the brew witch .

      Tricky woman she is... ;D

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  (((

        Sounds like the shower screen is clogged --- if, as Lovely says, water is returning to the tank, that would be a good indication.

        --Robusto

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

          Thanks Lovey, et al........

          Took off the covers, played with the tubes, and then stuck a paper clip wire up the shower screen outlet and wiggled it around .... and BINGO !! we have a hot water as usual.

          Many, many thanks to all

          BTW - what is the black switch arrangement below the pump, behind the steel panel, which outlets directly to the bench through the strategicaly positioned hole? Looks like an emergency pressure device, but its got me beat !!

          cheers

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  (((

            What you refer to is the three-way valve. Its activated to release pressure in the basket once you have finished brewing.

            Without it, youd be sprayed with coffee grounds from the basket when you try to remove the portafilter.

            It needs to be backflushed periodically --- which is one reason why your shower screen was clogged. (Even with regular backflushing I scrub)

            The paper clip isnt going to be enough. Youll have to remove the screen and give it a god scrub with a bristle brush or hard-backed sponge.

            Undo the bolt which holds down the shower screen. Remove all the components --taking note the way they go together--- and scrub away.

            Put back the bolt finger tight only.

            -Robusto

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            • #7
              Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

              Its the 3-way valve which comes off a T-junction from the group. When you engage the brew Switch (not to be confused with the lady with the black cat and the pointy hat! ;D), it closes so all the water is delivered into the group. When you turn the switch off that valve opens which allows the pressurised water in the portafilter to be released into the drip tray. Without that the 9bar of pressure would more or less remain until you released the portafilter, which is normally immediately followed with a shower of hot water and coffee grinds over the operator!

              So its an important little thing, but if it malfunctions you can get the result you saw.

              However what you saw probably indicates your machine needs a jolly good clean. How often do you backflush, and have you ever taken the showerscreen off?

              Greg

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

                Robusto, youre going to do us all out of a job one of these days! :

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  (((

                  He He.

                  Its one of those slow, lazy indoor days Greg. Having cleaned the gutters of bucketfuls of leaves and freezing cold mud, and cut my hands to shreds on the tiles doing so ....Im quite happy recouperating here. 8-)

                  --Robusto

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

                    Thanks all,

                    My routine is basic as I have 3 espressos daily, so after nbr 3 I backflush using the solid cup about 4 times. On weekends, after backflushing I take out the screen, and srub the screen, the basket etc, and wipe around the shower head with a wet rag wrapped around the handle of a teaspoon.

                    Other than that, I just use filtered water.

                    Am I missing something? any input appreciated - thanks

                    BTW - I am a proud usr of a Pullman tamp, so Greg, youre still needed!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  (((

                      Mmm. That is odd. Youre doing all the right things, yet the shower screen is still clogged solid? Im stumped.

                      Over to you, Greg.

                      -Robusto

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                      • #12
                        Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

                        Sounds OK to me. Are you backflushing with just water or backflushing detergent also? Perhaps elaborate on the poking around with the paperclip bit; if youre cleaning that regularly I cant imagine how it could get clogged enough to completely resist 9bar of water, so Id be interested to know what you poked to suddenly restore normal operation.

                        Greg

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

                          Do you mind Robusto???? I might just hop back in my little box and let you do what you do best! ;D

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

                            hiker,

                            Do you use backflushing detergent occasionally - in addition to what I assume is plain water backflushing? Water wont remove the coffee oils which build up - especially in your 3 way valve.

                            How tight is the PF when fitted to the group? If you are loading a bit too much coffee into the basket (usually evident by extra force required to lock the PF), that will force coffee grains into the small holes of the showerscreen and block them up.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Help! - one espresso and then nothing!  :

                              Hey Greg,

                              You in the race as well???

                              Comment

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