. I'm just the technical one who has to keep the machine(s) working.
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EM6910 advice - time to replace?
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Sounds like you have plenty of adjustment on the grinder - too fine will cause it to choke like that. Remember - small adjustments at a time and give it time to clear out the residual grounds between adjustments. Also, starting with a double shot (unpressurised) basket is easier than a single shot one. Also, don't overfill the basket as that can cause leaking. If you still have problems with leaks and the locking position is not correct then resort to shimming. I must admit, I feel like a hypocrite giving all of this advice as my wife makes at least 95% of the coffees here but I do listen to her
. I'm just the technical one who has to keep the machine(s) working.
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So I got some fresh beans, and also removed the lower burr in the grinder to get rid of residual gunk - found 5 shims in there already
It does produce a fine grind but not at the lowest setting (no grinding happens at the lowest setting, but if I'm grinding at a coarser setting and switch to fine, it dumps out a lot of powder at once and then just whirrs away emptily) ?
So one the first shot I tried, it locked at 90, the pressure gauge was in the "good" zone, got a lot of crema, but there was some leaking around the group headOriginally posted by Xanthine View Post90 deg is the ideal locking position - less than this is too tight and likely to come undone during extracting, and more makes it likely to leak around the seal.
If it seals and does not leak water then no urgency to replace and/or shim but it is not too difficult to cut some thin cardboard shims to get it right. .
I tried another shot, putting a little less powder, and this time I had to turn it more (similar to the position when the basket was empty) for it to tighten - no leaks this time, very little crema, and the pressure was higher than the good zone (but not in the red zone)
What would you suggest I try first - try to fix the leak with cardboard shims, or getting the grind and tamping right (as I'm a newbie I am most likely not doing it right ?)?Originally posted by Xanthine View PostPlenty of posts on here with instructions.
Getting the correct grind with the double floor basket is not so important but does not produce as good an espresso as the correct grind with a single floor basket. Tamping pressure and the amount of ground coffee in the basket also makes a considerable difference.
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Glad it seems to be working.
90 deg is the ideal locking position - less than this is too tight and likely to come undone during extracting, and more makes it likely to leak around the seal.
If it seals and does not leak water then no urgency to replace and/or shim but it is not too difficult to cut some thin cardboard shims to get it right. Plenty of posts on here with instructions.
Getting the correct grind with the double floor basket is not so important but does not produce as good an espresso as the correct grind with a single floor basket. Tamping pressure and the amount of ground coffee in the basket also makes a considerable difference.
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The pressure gauge did work (and reached the "good" area) with the disk although I used the double floor double shot basked - apart from that I only seem to have baskets for single shots (single floor and double floor).Originally posted by Xanthine View PostI would do a pressure test first using the backflush disk in an empty single walled double shot basket.
Will try experimenting with grind settings and fresh beans to see if I can get a good cup... is getting the group handle at 90 just a visual thing (i.e. as long as it locks it will work fine for now) or does that need to get fixed before I could get a good brew?
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Hi sifaan
My guess is that your grind is not fine enough or the beans are stale, but I would do a pressure test first using the backflush disk in an empty single walled double shot basket.
You should be able to see the pressure come up and can visually check for any leaks between the collar and the top of the group handle. You may also need to put a shim or two under the seal (and possibly a new seal) to get the group handle to lock in at 90 deg to the machine.
Once you are sure it is developing pressure OK you can work on your grind. Forget the settings on the grinder as they are all different. As a rough guide, feel some of your coffee between your thumb and forefinger - it should be a smooth powder with no grittiness. If the machine chokes grind slightly coarser, if it still gushes go coarser but only make incremental adjustments of 1 or 2 notches at a time. If you can't get it fine enough you may have to shim the grinder.
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Hi XanthineOriginally posted by Xanthine View PostHi Melon
This is a fairly common problem with machines which have been in storage for a long time. The valves in the pumps stick making it difficult to prime the machine.
Firstly, are both the steam and the brew pump working? Try briefly turning each on individually once the machine is up to operating temperature - they should be fairly loud if they are OK but un-primed. If either just makes a soft hum it's piston (or outlet valve) could be stuck. Let us know what you hear before further suggestions.
I hope it's OK to jump in here as I seem to have a similar issue - I am a total newbie at this and I got a machine that has been lying idle for about 6 years. It powers on and water comes through (brew, steam, hot water) but the pressure gauge doesn't move when brewing.
It is quite loud when it brews (don't know if that's normal or too loud) - and produces bitter coffee with no crema.
I don't know if it's related but the handle tightens around 4:30 on the clock, which I saw elsewhere could mean a worn collar?
I am also unsure of what grind setting to use on the EM480 grinder that accompanied it - the coffee machine says to use a very fine grind, but the grinder says to use an intermediate (12-16) setting for espresso.
Would it make it easier to troubleshoot if I uploaded a video of what's happening?
Thanks!
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Hi Melon
This is a fairly common problem with machines which have been in storage for a long time. The valves in the pumps stick making it difficult to prime the machine.
Firstly, are both the steam and the brew pump working? Try briefly turning each on individually once the machine is up to operating temperature - they should be fairly loud if they are OK but un-primed. If either just makes a soft hum it's piston (or outlet valve) could be stuck. Let us know what you hear before further suggestions.
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EM6910 advice - time to replace?
I bought an EM6910 back in 2007 and it'd served me very well for 10 years. I recently pulled it out of storage (where it'd sat for around 2-3 years). It seems to turn on fine. However, water doesn't pump through it and I can smell a slight burning smell. Is this repairable? Or is it worth considering buying a new machine?
I'm more of a filter brewer these days but would like a cheap / easy espresso set-up for the occasional milk-based drink.

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