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  • cold silvia

    help folks - my faithful silvia has gone cold on me - she began to cool down gradually then stopped steaming - pump works fine - checked reset button and its fine - i live in rural qld so no dealer close by - any suggestions re which thermostat is the problem??

  • #2
    Re: cold silvia

    Originally posted by 69strat link=1208334253/0#0 date=1208334253
    help folks - my faithful silvia has gone cold on me  - she began to cool down gradually then stopped steaming - pump works fine - checked reset button and its fine - i live in rural qld so no dealer close by - any suggestions re which thermostat is the problem??
    Hate to say it, but if the reset button is no go, you have almost certainly got yourself a dead element.

    A multimeter will confirm that with an infinite resistance reading. A good element reads ~45ohm.

    If your machine has a one piece boiler/element, I have a bloke down here who can tap a new element into the boiler for you. Alternately, youre up for a new boiler and

    Chris

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    • #3
      Re: cold silvia

      where do you position the multimeter to test the element?

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      • #4
        Re: cold silvia

        Originally posted by 69strat link=1208334253/0#2 date=1208335020
        where do you position the multimeter to test the element?
        With the machine switched off and unplugged, remove the top and test across the 2 ends of the element- visible at the top of the boiler.

        Good luck

        Chris

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        • #5
          Re: cold silvia

          That is very unfortunate 69Strat. How old is the Silvia?

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          • #6
            Re: cold silvia

            sorry had to go out for a while - silvia is about 4 years old and used constantly - has been an excellent machine till recently when i noticed that the tempreture was a bit variable (draws one good shot then a poor one)
            does anyone know the cost of a new boiler / element ?? Could I fit it myself or should I take it to a repairer in Brisbane? What do you think?

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            • #7
              Re: cold silvia

              Im guessing that Chris has correctly diagnosed the problem as a burnt out element.

              But you did not mention whether or not the big orange light (BOL) is on when Silvia should be heating up? If the BOL does not come on, then that might point to a thermostat problem, which is much less expensive to fix.

              For a step-by-step troubleshooting guide, take a look at this link: http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machines/312139

              Jim

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              • #8
                Re: cold silvia

                BOL remains off and multimeter indicates that it is an element issue - Many thanks to all - who is the rancilio agent in Brisbane??

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                • #9
                  Re: cold silvia

                  Originally posted by 69strat link=1208334253/0#7 date=1208380524
                  BOL remains off and multimeter indicates that it is an element issue - Many thanks to all - who is the rancilio agent in Brisbane??
                  I am very puzzled by this.

                  A Silvia is wired so that the BOL will come on whenever the thermostats are calling for heat. This should happen regardless of the condition, or even the presence, of the heater. The light is on a parallel circuit with the heater. (Take a look at Randys excellent web site for a wiring diagram http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/silviawire.html)

                  So if the light is not coming on, then there is a thermostat problem. There could also be a heater problem, I suppose, but there is a thermostat problem for sure. You can easily confirm by checking for continuity across both thermostats with the machine unplugged and cold. They should both be closed (i.e. conducting).

                  I would hate to see you invest in a new boiler if the problem ultimately turns out to be the steam thermostat.

                  Jim


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                  • #10
                    Re: cold silvia

                    Or lightning could strike in the same place twice and its a dead element AND a blown BOL!

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                    • #11
                      Re: cold silvia

                      Originally posted by Greg Pullman link=1208334253/0#9 date=1208483284
                      Or lightning could strike in the same place twice and its a dead element AND a blown BOL!
                      Ouch! Now that would be unlucky

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