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Main
Date: 26 Sep 2006 14:21:21
From: Thomas
Subject: Silvia without enough pressure
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Hi Group,
I got my hands on a 2-year old Silvia with a pressure problem.
No matter how fine or coarse I grind there isn't enough pressure to get the
water through the puck. If I don't tamp at all I can get a few drops
through.
Any ideas? Pump? Pressure switch?
Thanks in advance...
--
Kind regards,
Thomas Remmer Larsen
kaffeagenterne.dk
http://www.kaffeagenterne.dk
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Date: 22 Oct 2006 18:44:36
From: mikeyb411
Subject: Re: Silvia without enough pressure
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I have having similar issues. My 5 year old silvia is finally starting
to struggle. She has been a beast up until now (got me through college
in fact).
It does not seem to be throwing out the same kind of pressure it used
to, and sometimes leaks through the rubber gasket behind the shower
screen (just replaced it though). But I don't think it supplying the
same kind of pressure it used to. I bought a pressure gauge and was
able to affix it to the portafilter bottom. 1st line doesn't give
directions on this. How do I use this gadget correctly so I know if I
need to replace the pump or if it is something else. How much pressure
should she be putting out?
Thanks,
Mike.
Randy G. wrote:
> "Thomas" <thomas@FJERNtroldhytten.com> wrote:
>
> >Hi Group,
> >
> >I got my hands on a 2-year old Silvia with a pressure problem.
> >
> >No matter how fine or coarse I grind there isn't enough pressure to get the
> >water through the puck. If I don't tamp at all I can get a few drops
> >through.
> >
> >Any ideas? Pump? Pressure switch?
> >
> DIAGNOSING LOW SILVIA BREW PRESSURE
> Here's a start:
>
> 1)Do you get enough pressure through the steam wand?
> -If yes then:
> - the 3-way might need disassembling and cleaning
> - the boiler may need descaling
> - the 3-way may not be working properly
> -If no, go to 2
>
> 2)Is the pressure relief valve working correctly? Lift the short hose
> out of the water tank and hold it over the water. Pull a shot with a
> normal, espresso grind and see how much water comes through the hose.
> -If it dribbles or has a slow flow, then the valve is probably
> working properly. Go to 3....
> -If it flows well, then the valve is not working properly
>
> 3) Check the line voltage at the outlet when pulling a shot to assure
> that the outlet is supplying correct voltage to the machine. This is
> particularly true when the heating element is on during the shot. If
> the voltage is OK, then go to 4...
>
> 4)At this point you will probably need to get a pressure gauge to test
> the pump, or just repair or replace the pump.
>
>
> Randy "start at the beginning" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 22 Oct 2006 22:12:34
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Silvia without enough pressure
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My Silvia is almost exactly 6 years old (today is actually the 6th
year anniversary of my coffee website!). It is still working as well
(actually better) than when it was new.
There are two things going on when the pump is in action- it has to
supply a certain amount of water (volume) at a certain amount of
pressure (PSI or ATMs, your choice).
IIRC, if you run the pump through an empty portafilter and basket, you
should get _about_60-100mls in ten seconds. less is a problem. A
little more probably is not. This is a test to check that the pump is
delivering the correct volume of water.
The pressure gauge is to measure the pumps ability to generate enough
force (PSI). Now, if you can create a TEE for the gauge and past that
TEE place a small orifice that will allow about two ounces in 25
seconds to pass at about 130psi, that would be a better test.
My first two thoughts to check for your problem are:
1- if you have been using tap water, or any water with a mineral
content how often has the machine been descaled?
2) has it been backflushed regularly? If not, I recommend
disassembling the 3-way, cleaning it completely, and then reassemble
and backflush until clean water comes through.
3) The leaks behind the PF gasket means that either the gasket needs
to be cleaned, or more likely, it needs to be replaced. In 6 years I
am on my third gasket.
4) it is possible that the grinder, if still the original burrs, is
creating a lot more dust (also could be the coffee) and the dust is
clogging the flow more than you are use to.
5) you have been working out and have become such an animal that you
are tamping at around a 135 pound tamping force! ;-)
Randy "..or maybe it's the wheelbase" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
"mikeyb411" <mabpdc411@yahoo.com > wrote:
>
>I have having similar issues. My 5 year old silvia is finally starting
>to struggle. She has been a beast up until now (got me through college
>in fact).
>
>It does not seem to be throwing out the same kind of pressure it used
>to, and sometimes leaks through the rubber gasket behind the shower
>screen (just replaced it though). But I don't think it supplying the
>same kind of pressure it used to. I bought a pressure gauge and was
>able to affix it to the portafilter bottom. 1st line doesn't give
>directions on this. How do I use this gadget correctly so I know if I
>need to replace the pump or if it is something else. How much pressure
>should she be putting out?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mike.
>
>Randy G. wrote:
>> "Thomas" <thomas@FJERNtroldhytten.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Hi Group,
>> >
>> >I got my hands on a 2-year old Silvia with a pressure problem.
>> >
>> >No matter how fine or coarse I grind there isn't enough pressure to get the
>> >water through the puck. If I don't tamp at all I can get a few drops
>> >through.
>> >
>> >Any ideas? Pump? Pressure switch?
>> >
>> DIAGNOSING LOW SILVIA BREW PRESSURE
>> Here's a start:
>>
>> 1)Do you get enough pressure through the steam wand?
>> -If yes then:
>> - the 3-way might need disassembling and cleaning
>> - the boiler may need descaling
>> - the 3-way may not be working properly
>> -If no, go to 2
>>
>> 2)Is the pressure relief valve working correctly? Lift the short hose
>> out of the water tank and hold it over the water. Pull a shot with a
>> normal, espresso grind and see how much water comes through the hose.
>> -If it dribbles or has a slow flow, then the valve is probably
>> working properly. Go to 3....
>> -If it flows well, then the valve is not working properly
>>
>> 3) Check the line voltage at the outlet when pulling a shot to assure
>> that the outlet is supplying correct voltage to the machine. This is
>> particularly true when the heating element is on during the shot. If
>> the voltage is OK, then go to 4...
>>
>> 4)At this point you will probably need to get a pressure gauge to test
>> the pump, or just repair or replace the pump.
>>
>>
>> Randy "start at the beginning" G.
>> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 29 Sep 2006 21:16:35
From: Thomas
Subject: Re: Silvia without enough pressure
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Thanks Randy and Dave for your expert answer (as allways)....
Haven't had time to check it yet, but I'll post the result.
--
Kind regards/Med venlig hilsen
Thomas Remmer Larsen
kaffeagenterne.dk
v/Remmer & Co
Tel: +45 7026 7039
Fax: +45 7026 7049
Mob: +45 6092 8351
http://www.kaffeagenterne.dk
"Thomas" <thomas@FJERNtroldhytten.com > skrev i en meddelelse
news:45191b42$0$13964$edfadb0f@dread15.news.tele.dk...
> Hi Group,
>
> I got my hands on a 2-year old Silvia with a pressure problem.
>
> No matter how fine or coarse I grind there isn't enough pressure to get
> the water through the puck. If I don't tamp at all I can get a few drops
> through.
>
> Any ideas? Pump? Pressure switch?
>
> Thanks in advance...
>
> --
> Kind regards,
>
> Thomas Remmer Larsen
> kaffeagenterne.dk
>
> http://www.kaffeagenterne.dk
>
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Date: 26 Sep 2006 12:28:23
From: daveb
Subject: pressure? short story.
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Short and to the point.
close the steam valve. fill the white tank w/ water
turn on the left center switch. hear the pump run.
is there water coming OUT of a tube in the back?
if not, the pump is bad. there is no pressure switch in the silvia
Dave
120 pid silvias
www.hitechespresso.com
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Date: 26 Sep 2006 08:27:27
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Silvia without enough pressure
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"Thomas" <thomas@FJERNtroldhytten.com > wrote:
>Hi Group,
>
>I got my hands on a 2-year old Silvia with a pressure problem.
>
>No matter how fine or coarse I grind there isn't enough pressure to get the
>water through the puck. If I don't tamp at all I can get a few drops
>through.
>
>Any ideas? Pump? Pressure switch?
>
DIAGNOSING LOW SILVIA BREW PRESSURE
Here's a start:
1)Do you get enough pressure through the steam wand?
-If yes then:
- the 3-way might need disassembling and cleaning
- the boiler may need descaling
- the 3-way may not be working properly
-If no, go to 2
2)Is the pressure relief valve working correctly? Lift the short hose
out of the water tank and hold it over the water. Pull a shot with a
normal, espresso grind and see how much water comes through the hose.
-If it dribbles or has a slow flow, then the valve is probably
working properly. Go to 3....
-If it flows well, then the valve is not working properly
3) Check the line voltage at the outlet when pulling a shot to assure
that the outlet is supplying correct voltage to the machine. This is
particularly true when the heating element is on during the shot. If
the voltage is OK, then go to 4...
4)At this point you will probably need to get a pressure gauge to test
the pump, or just repair or replace the pump.
Randy "start at the beginning" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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