What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

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Date: 12 Apr 2007 10:03:49
From: snowcat
Subject: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

Hi everyone,

After months of reading here and there, I have purchased a factory
reconditioned Silvia on eBay, advertised as "excellent condition", a
newer one with POD capability. It looked all good when I opened the
box...

However, when I powered on my Silvia, I found a lot of "unexpected"
behaviors from her. First of all, the boiler light never goes off! I
let it warm up for more than an hour but the light never went off a
single time. According to what I have read, it should be off in less
than 10 minutes, right? The machine itself gets warmed up and all, so
I guess I still have a working heating element.

The second problem is even worse. I never get any steam out of my
Silvia. I do get hot water through the steam wand and I never steamed
milk using this, so I am sure that the wand is not clogged and needs
to be cleaned. Well, the hot water is not even hot enough... it is
about 120~130 degrees. At first I thought I was doing something wrong
so I did more reading here and tried everything I could do. No, I
don't get any steam for sure. I know something is wrong, but I can't
identify what causes this...

And no, the list does not end here... When I turn on the hot water
switch and open the steam valve, I get hot water from both the
grouphead and the steam wand. I don't think this is normal. Besides,
while she is powered on, I constantly get leaks from the grouphead
even after a few minutes of pulling a shot. From what I read, the
coffee left in the portafilter after pulling a shot should be dry in a
few moments... but mine still stays wet even after 10 minutes. The
leak also happens when the Silvia is warming up.

I guess I should send this machine back for warranty, but I would like
to know what causes all these. If I could fix this with relatively
simple solutions, I would like to save the hassle of shipping it back
and forth. Initially I was looking for the posts with similar problems
but I can't seem to find any. I would appreciate if any of you could
kindly explain what went wrong and what I should do. Thanks!

Date: 13 Apr 2007 12:16:42
From:
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

On Apr 13, 1:40 pm, "Craig Andrews" <alt.cof...@deletethis.rogers.com >
wrote:
> <ebl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> Here ya go!http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/
> Cheers!
> Craig.

That's exactly the site I used. Thanks Craig and, of course, David
Jenkins for putting the pictures up in the first place.

-Eric

Date: 13 Apr 2007 19:07:08
From: Craig Andrews
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

<eblau1@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1176491802.219922.277690@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
> On Apr 13, 1:40 pm, "Craig Andrews" <alt.cof...@deletethis.rogers.com>
> wrote:
>> <ebl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> Here ya go!http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/
>> Cheers!
>> Craig.
>
>
> That's exactly the site I used. Thanks Craig and, of course, David
> Jenkins for putting the pictures up in the first place.
>
> -Eric
>

Yep, as soon as ya mentioned it Eric, I knew in a milisecond or two!
{;-) I was SURE I had the site bookmarked as a "Favorite" or "Link", but
didn't or couldn't find it.. I searched my CG posts & found the URL &
then posted it here.
Craig.

Date: 13 Apr 2007 22:59:28
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

"Craig Andrews" <alt.coffee@deletethis.rogers.com > wrote:

>
><eblau1@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:1176491802.219922.277690@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
>> On Apr 13, 1:40 pm, "Craig Andrews" <alt.cof...@deletethis.rogers.com>
>> wrote:
>>> <ebl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>
>>> Here ya go!http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/
>>> Cheers!
>>> Craig.
>>
>>
>> That's exactly the site I used. Thanks Craig and, of course, David
>> Jenkins for putting the pictures up in the first place.
>>
>> -Eric
>>
>
>Yep, as soon as ya mentioned it Eric, I knew in a milisecond or two!
>{;-) I was SURE I had the site bookmarked as a "Favorite" or "Link", but
>didn't or couldn't find it.. I searched my CG posts & found the URL &
>then posted it here.
>Craig.

It is also part of the permanent list of "Silvia" links on my
website... ("Espresso and Other Links" in the "Other" section of the
menu on the right).

Randy "" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

Date: 15 Apr 2007 14:07:32
From: Craig Andrews
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

"Randy G." <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com > wrote in message
news:q9r023d0e9v0nkouppis69vt7uq7shfl2a@4ax.com...
> "Craig Andrews" <alt.coffee@deletethis.rogers.com> wrote:
>
>>
>><eblau1@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>news:1176491802.219922.277690@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
>>> On Apr 13, 1:40 pm, "Craig Andrews"
>>> <alt.cof...@deletethis.rogers.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>> <ebl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>
>>>> Here ya go!http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/
>>>> Cheers!
>>>> Craig.
>>>
>>>
>>> That's exactly the site I used. Thanks Craig and, of course, David
>>> Jenkins for putting the pictures up in the first place.
>>>
>>> -Eric
>>>
>>
>>Yep, as soon as ya mentioned it Eric, I knew in a milisecond or two!
>>{;-) I was SURE I had the site bookmarked as a "Favorite" or "Link",
>>but
>>didn't or couldn't find it.. I searched my CG posts & found the URL &
>>then posted it here.
>>Craig.
>
> It is also part of the permanent list of "Silvia" links on my
> website... ("Espresso and Other Links" in the "Other" section of the
> menu on the right).
>
>
> Randy "" G.

Excellent! {;-D
Craig.

Date: 13 Apr 2007 10:30:11
From:
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

On 2007-04-12, snowcat <terlman@gmail.com > wrote:
>
> First I would like to tell you that this Silvia is a 120V/60Hz
> machine, manufactured on Nov. 06 - according to the useless user
> manual. This is not a voltage/frequency problem... I am getting scared
> of turning the machine on now. When I turned on this machine again,
> this time I got steam coming out of the steam wand but I did not turn
> the steam switch on. Besides, the steam was coming out of the
> grouphead and hot water was dripping out to the tray from the
> internals of silvia. Like you pointed out, there must be a wiring
> problem...

Snowcat,

I have the exact same Silvia model and manufacture date as you. The
symptoms you are having sound like a three-way solenoid valve that is
stuck open. This happened to me on my Silvia the first time I did a
backflush. I backflushed and then water and steam constantly leaked
from the grouphead and the three way valve into the drip tray.

I disassembled the solenoid valve assembly according to some pictures
I saw
online (can't find them again now, sorry!) and found the valve was
stuck open.
I pried at it a little bit and the spring pushed the valve out so it
could close again.

If this is not going to void your warranty or anything, I'd strongly
suggest trying it.
It's not too hard and sounds like the exact same problem I had. I'm
guessing
that the boiler always stays on because the hot water is just leaking
out of the
boiler into the drip tray and not staying under pressure. Be careful,
you don't
want the boiler to run dry!

Hope it works!

Regards,
Eric

Date: 13 Apr 2007 13:40:39
From: Craig Andrews
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

<eblau1@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1176485411.299101.195810@y5g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> On 2007-04-12, snowcat <terlman@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> First I would like to tell you that this Silvia is a 120V/60Hz
>> machine, manufactured on Nov. 06 - according to the useless user
>> manual. This is not a voltage/frequency problem... I am getting
>> scared
>> of turning the machine on now. When I turned on this machine again,
>> this time I got steam coming out of the steam wand but I did not turn
>> the steam switch on. Besides, the steam was coming out of the
>> grouphead and hot water was dripping out to the tray from the
>> internals of silvia. Like you pointed out, there must be a wiring
>> problem...
>
> Snowcat,
>
> I have the exact same Silvia model and manufacture date as you. The
> symptoms you are having sound like a three-way solenoid valve that is
> stuck open. This happened to me on my Silvia the first time I did a
> backflush. I backflushed and then water and steam constantly leaked
> from the grouphead and the three way valve into the drip tray.
>
> I disassembled the solenoid valve assembly according to some pictures
> I saw
> online (can't find them again now, sorry!) and found the valve was
> stuck open.
> I pried at it a little bit and the spring pushed the valve out so it
> could close again.
>
> If this is not going to void your warranty or anything, I'd strongly
> suggest trying it.
> It's not too hard and sounds like the exact same problem I had. I'm
> guessing
> that the boiler always stays on because the hot water is just leaking
> out of the
> boiler into the drip tray and not staying under pressure. Be careful,
> you don't
> want the boiler to run dry!
>
> Hope it works!
>
> Regards,
> Eric
>

Here ya go! http://member.newsguy.com/~jenkins/silvia/
Cheers!
Craig.

Date: .com
From: daveb
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

13 Apr 2007 16:12:18

Date: 12 Apr 2007 23:04:18
From: daveb
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

>
> You only say that because you haven't met us yet! ;-P~
>
> Randy G.

How true.

Date: 12 Apr 2007 23:01:30
From: daveb
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

Short and sweet:

1) Demand they pick it up at their expense.
2) and replace -- or refund your money
3) Do not dick with the machine, in spite of what other may say.

BTW, "aabree" is owned by, and a division of, Whole lattee love, and
has a fairly CRAPPY record on ebay.

Dave

Date: 12 Apr 2007 15:49:00
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

On Apr 12, 2:12 pm, "snowcat" <terl...@gmail.com > wrote:
> Hi Randy,
>
> As always, you are as helpful as the almighty god. :)
>
I have told you a MILLION times, DON'T EXAGGERATE!

> .....When I turned on this machine again,
> this time I got steam coming out of the steam wand but I did not turn
> the steam switch on. Besides, the steam was coming out of the
> grouphead and hot water was dripping out to the tray from the
> internals of silvia. Like you pointed out, there must be a wiring
> problem...
>
It could be as simple as a combination of a failed brew thermostat and
a faulty 3-way valve.

> I have purchased this machine from Aabree Coffee's eBay auction.
>
At least they are not just a private seller. I would contac tthem
immediately, and be nice, but firm that this amchine was not in the
condition as represented in the auction.

>Anyway, I feel that this is a bit too
> much to fix it myself... I will probably just send this for warranty.
> I will let you know how it goes.
>
As Craig said, since it is under warranty you should contact them
immediately. Maybe they picked the wrong machine off the bench for
shipping to you..

>Again, thanks for the advice! You
> guys really deserve my worshipping. :)
>
You only say that because you haven't met us yet! ;-P~

Randy G.

Date: 12 Apr 2007 14:12:46
From: snowcat
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

On Apr 12, 2:46 pm, Randy G. <f...@DESPAMMOcncnet.com > wrote:
> "snowcat" <terl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >Hi everyone,
>
> >After months of reading here and there, I have purchased a factory
> >reconditioned Silvia on eBay, advertised as "excellent condition", a
> >newer one with POD capability. It looked all good when I opened the
> >box...
>
> It would be interesting to know from whom this was purchased- was it a
> private party of a reseller? Form the description below it sounds like
> a candidate for return to the seller if not a possible case of fraud.
> From the info you give, this machine is certainly in less than
> "excellent" condition.
>
> >However, when I powered on my Silvia, I found a lot of "unexpected"
> >behaviors from her. First of all, the boiler light never goes off! I
> >let it warm up for more than an hour but the light never went off a
> >single time.
>
> Since you later state that the machine makes warm water but and not
> hot water the heating element might be suspect. Check the voltage at
> the heating element when the machine is on (if you know how to do that
> safely). If it is getting full voltage then the heating element is
> probably bad. If it is not getting full voltage it could be a bad
> switch, mis-wired Silvia (scary thought), or possibly a bad
> thermostat.
>
> >According to what I have read, it should be off in less
> >than 10 minutes, right? The machine itself gets warmed up and all, so
> >I guess I still have a working heating element.
>
> That sounds about right. Although the entire machine will not be hot
> in that time, the thermostat should switch off the element in ABOUT
> that amount of time.
>
> >The second problem is even worse. I never get any steam out of my
> >Silvia. I do get hot water through the steam wand and I never steamed
> >milk using this, so I am sure that the wand is not clogged and needs
> >to be cleaned. Well, the hot water is not even hot enough... it is
> >about 120~130 degrees.
>
> Points to the same problem as I outlined above.
>
> >And no, the list does not end here... When I turn on the hot water
> >switch and open the steam valve, I get hot water from both the
> >grouphead and the steam wand.
>
> That sounds like a wiring problem (assuming that you are using the
> switches correctly).
>
> For hot water the main power switch and the center of the three
> switches are on- the brew switch (the top one) should be off. If that
> is the case, then the machine is probably wires wrong. If the 3-way
> valve was operating incorrectly then there would be water dripping
> when the machine come up to temperature.. but it doesn't so it's hard
> to tell.
>
> >I don't think this is normal.
>
> It ain't.
>
> >Besides,
> >while she is powered on, I constantly get leaks from the grouphead
> >even after a few minutes of pulling a shot. From what I read, the
> >coffee left in the portafilter after pulling a shot should be dry in a
> >few moments... but mine still stays wet even after 10 minutes. The
> >leak also happens when the Silvia is warming up.
>
> Ahhh Ha! This machine is starting to sound like another eBay horror
> story- "Excellent condition" means that when it fell off the truck it
> hit something soft.
>
> >I guess I should send this machine back for warranty, but I would like
> >to know what causes all these.
>
> I would like to know who sold it!
>
> >If I could fix this with relatively
> >simple solutions, I would like to save the hassle of shipping it back
> >and forth. Initially I was looking for the posts with similar problems
> >but I can't seem to find any. I would appreciate if any of you could
> >kindly explain what went wrong and what I should do. Thanks!
>
> You are correct in that this is the first post in over 6 years in my
> memory with such problems. I think there are multiple problems. My
> guesses include:
> 1a) Bad heating element. Possibly from long-term use with hard water
> -and/or-
> b) Low voltage to the heating element because of miswiring,
> bad power cord, bad outlet, bad thermostat, bad switch, etc.
> - and -
> 2) Bad/clogged/dirty 3-way valve
>
> I would disassemble the 3-way valve and clean it. It might be as
> simple as a bit of machining brass stuck in there. This has been
> reported on a few occasions. This will also reveal how dirty that part
> is which will testify as to its age, use, or maintenance level.
>
> After that I would check voltage to the heating element, resistance of
> the heating element, continuity of the thermostats, etc.
>
> My website has a number of wiring diagrams, color coded to the Silvia,
> descriptions on how the machine works, the operation of the 3-way
> valve, as well as a link to the disassembly of the 3-way.
>
> Randy "55 years old and in excellent condition" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

Hi Randy,

As always, you are as helpful as the almighty god. :)

First I would like to tell you that this Silvia is a 120V/60Hz
machine, manufactured on Nov. 06 - according to the useless user
manual. This is not a voltage/frequency problem... I am getting scared
of turning the machine on now. When I turned on this machine again,
this time I got steam coming out of the steam wand but I did not turn
the steam switch on. Besides, the steam was coming out of the
grouphead and hot water was dripping out to the tray from the
internals of silvia. Like you pointed out, there must be a wiring
problem...

I have purchased this machine from Aabree Coffee's eBay auction. I
don't know whether this store has good reputation or not, but I guess
it wasn't a fraud or something. Anyway, I feel that this is a bit too
much to fix it myself... I will probably just send this for warranty.
I will let you know how it goes. Again, thanks for the advice! You
guys really deserve my worshipping. :)

Date: 13 Apr 2007 00:38:22
From: Brian Colwell
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

Date: 12 Apr 2007 23:08:22
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

I feel you pain. Don't mess with the machine yourself if it's still under
warranty; in fact if it were me I'd;
1) Insist that Aarbree replace not repair the machine.
2) If they balk at this file a claim with eBay or PayPal and insist they get
my money back.
Selling stuff like this is unacceptable; they must have not even tested the
machine before they resold it.
--
Robert (Gig 'em!) Harmon
www.tinyurl.com/mb4uj - My coffee pages
www.tinyurl.com/2tnv87 - Guidelines for newbies.
www.tinyurl.com/37gwfr - I may have stuff available for sale here.

"snowcat" <terlman@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1176412366.148944.319120@l77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
snipped
> I have purchased this machine from Aabree Coffee's eBay auction. I
> don't know whether this store has good reputation or not, but I guess
> it wasn't a fraud or something. Anyway, I feel that this is a bit too
> much to fix it myself... I will probably just send this for warranty.
> I will let you know how it goes. Again, thanks for the advice! You
> guys really deserve my worshipping. :)
>
>

Date: 13 Apr 2007 17:36:49
From: Craig Andrews
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

"snowcat" <terlman@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1176412366.148944.319120@l77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> On Apr 12, 2:46 pm, Randy G. <f...@DESPAMMOcncnet.com> wrote:
>> "snowcat" <terl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >Hi everyone,
>>
>> >After months of reading here and there, I have purchased a factory
>> >reconditioned Silvia on eBay, advertised as "excellent condition", a
>> >newer one with POD capability. It looked all good when I opened the
>> >box...
>>
>> It would be interesting to know from whom this was purchased- was it
>> a
>> private party of a reseller? Form the description below it sounds
>> like
>> a candidate for return to the seller if not a possible case of fraud.
>> From the info you give, this machine is certainly in less than
>> "excellent" condition.
>>
>> >However, when I powered on my Silvia, I found a lot of "unexpected"
>> >behaviors from her. First of all, the boiler light never goes off! I
>> >let it warm up for more than an hour but the light never went off a
>> >single time.
>>
>> Since you later state that the machine makes warm water but and not
>> hot water the heating element might be suspect. Check the voltage at
>> the heating element when the machine is on (if you know how to do
>> that
>> safely). If it is getting full voltage then the heating element is
>> probably bad. If it is not getting full voltage it could be a bad
>> switch, mis-wired Silvia (scary thought), or possibly a bad
>> thermostat.
>>
>> >According to what I have read, it should be off in less
>> >than 10 minutes, right? The machine itself gets warmed up and all,
>> >so
>> >I guess I still have a working heating element.
>>
>> That sounds about right. Although the entire machine will not be hot
>> in that time, the thermostat should switch off the element in ABOUT
>> that amount of time.
>>
>> >The second problem is even worse. I never get any steam out of my
>> >Silvia. I do get hot water through the steam wand and I never
>> >steamed
>> >milk using this, so I am sure that the wand is not clogged and needs
>> >to be cleaned. Well, the hot water is not even hot enough... it is
>> >about 120~130 degrees.
>>
>> Points to the same problem as I outlined above.
>>
>> >And no, the list does not end here... When I turn on the hot water
>> >switch and open the steam valve, I get hot water from both the
>> >grouphead and the steam wand.
>>
>> That sounds like a wiring problem (assuming that you are using the
>> switches correctly).
>>
>> For hot water the main power switch and the center of the three
>> switches are on- the brew switch (the top one) should be off. If that
>> is the case, then the machine is probably wires wrong. If the 3-way
>> valve was operating incorrectly then there would be water dripping
>> when the machine come up to temperature.. but it doesn't so it's hard
>> to tell.
>>
>> >I don't think this is normal.
>>
>> It ain't.
>>
>> >Besides,
>> >while she is powered on, I constantly get leaks from the grouphead
>> >even after a few minutes of pulling a shot. From what I read, the
>> >coffee left in the portafilter after pulling a shot should be dry in
>> >a
>> >few moments... but mine still stays wet even after 10 minutes. The
>> >leak also happens when the Silvia is warming up.
>>
>> Ahhh Ha! This machine is starting to sound like another eBay horror
>> story- "Excellent condition" means that when it fell off the truck it
>> hit something soft.
>>
>> >I guess I should send this machine back for warranty, but I would
>> >like
>> >to know what causes all these.
>>
>> I would like to know who sold it!
>>
>> >If I could fix this with relatively
>> >simple solutions, I would like to save the hassle of shipping it
>> >back
>> >and forth. Initially I was looking for the posts with similar
>> >problems
>> >but I can't seem to find any. I would appreciate if any of you could
>> >kindly explain what went wrong and what I should do. Thanks!
>>
>> You are correct in that this is the first post in over 6 years in my
>> memory with such problems. I think there are multiple problems. My
>> guesses include:
>> 1a) Bad heating element. Possibly from long-term use with hard water
>> -and/or-
>> b) Low voltage to the heating element because of miswiring,
>> bad power cord, bad outlet, bad thermostat, bad switch, etc.
>> - and -
>> 2) Bad/clogged/dirty 3-way valve
>>
>> I would disassemble the 3-way valve and clean it. It might be as
>> simple as a bit of machining brass stuck in there. This has been
>> reported on a few occasions. This will also reveal how dirty that
>> part
>> is which will testify as to its age, use, or maintenance level.
>>
>> After that I would check voltage to the heating element, resistance
>> of
>> the heating element, continuity of the thermostats, etc.
>>
>> My website has a number of wiring diagrams, color coded to the
>> Silvia,
>> descriptions on how the machine works, the operation of the 3-way
>> valve, as well as a link to the disassembly of the 3-way.
>>
>> Randy "55 years old and in excellent condition" G.
>> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
>
> Hi Randy,
>
> As always, you are as helpful as the almighty god. :)
>
> First I would like to tell you that this Silvia is a 120V/60Hz
> machine, manufactured on Nov. 06 - according to the useless user
> manual. This is not a voltage/frequency problem... I am getting scared
> of turning the machine on now. When I turned on this machine again,
> this time I got steam coming out of the steam wand but I did not turn
> the steam switch on. Besides, the steam was coming out of the
> grouphead and hot water was dripping out to the tray from the
> internals of silvia. Like you pointed out, there must be a wiring
> problem...
>
> I have purchased this machine from Aabree Coffee's eBay auction. I
> don't know whether this store has good reputation or not, but I guess
> it wasn't a fraud or something. Anyway, I feel that this is a bit too
> much to fix it myself... I will probably just send this for warranty.
> I will let you know how it goes. Again, thanks for the advice! You
> guys really deserve my worshipping. :)
>
>

If it came with a "warranty", then you SHOULD NOT be touching it period!
That would void ANY warranty..
Craig.

Date: 12 Apr 2007 13:29:47
From:
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

As always, sage advice from Randy.

I also would ask who the seller was and also suggest listing your
location, sometimes someone local will offer to assist.

Kurt

Date: 12 Apr 2007 11:46:09
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

"snowcat" <terlman@gmail.com > wrote:

>Hi everyone,
>
>After months of reading here and there, I have purchased a factory
>reconditioned Silvia on eBay, advertised as "excellent condition", a
>newer one with POD capability. It looked all good when I opened the
>box...
>
It would be interesting to know from whom this was purchased- was it a
private party of a reseller? Form the description below it sounds like
a candidate for return to the seller if not a possible case of fraud.
From the info you give, this machine is certainly in less than
"excellent" condition.

>However, when I powered on my Silvia, I found a lot of "unexpected"
>behaviors from her. First of all, the boiler light never goes off! I
>let it warm up for more than an hour but the light never went off a
>single time.
>
Since you later state that the machine makes warm water but and not
hot water the heating element might be suspect. Check the voltage at
the heating element when the machine is on (if you know how to do that
safely). If it is getting full voltage then the heating element is
probably bad. If it is not getting full voltage it could be a bad
switch, mis-wired Silvia (scary thought), or possibly a bad
thermostat.

>According to what I have read, it should be off in less
>than 10 minutes, right? The machine itself gets warmed up and all, so
>I guess I still have a working heating element.
>
That sounds about right. Although the entire machine will not be hot
in that time, the thermostat should switch off the element in ABOUT
that amount of time.

>The second problem is even worse. I never get any steam out of my
>Silvia. I do get hot water through the steam wand and I never steamed
>milk using this, so I am sure that the wand is not clogged and needs
>to be cleaned. Well, the hot water is not even hot enough... it is
>about 120~130 degrees.
>
Points to the same problem as I outlined above.

>And no, the list does not end here... When I turn on the hot water
>switch and open the steam valve, I get hot water from both the
>grouphead and the steam wand.
>
That sounds like a wiring problem (assuming that you are using the
switches correctly).

For hot water the main power switch and the center of the three
switches are on- the brew switch (the top one) should be off. If that
is the case, then the machine is probably wires wrong. If the 3-way
valve was operating incorrectly then there would be water dripping
when the machine come up to temperature.. but it doesn't so it's hard
to tell.

>I don't think this is normal.
>
It ain't.

>Besides,
>while she is powered on, I constantly get leaks from the grouphead
>even after a few minutes of pulling a shot. From what I read, the
>coffee left in the portafilter after pulling a shot should be dry in a
>few moments... but mine still stays wet even after 10 minutes. The
>leak also happens when the Silvia is warming up.
>
Ahhh Ha! This machine is starting to sound like another eBay horror
story- "Excellent condition" means that when it fell off the truck it
hit something soft.

>I guess I should send this machine back for warranty, but I would like
>to know what causes all these.
>
I would like to know who sold it!

>If I could fix this with relatively
>simple solutions, I would like to save the hassle of shipping it back
>and forth. Initially I was looking for the posts with similar problems
>but I can't seem to find any. I would appreciate if any of you could
>kindly explain what went wrong and what I should do. Thanks!
>
You are correct in that this is the first post in over 6 years in my
memory with such problems. I think there are multiple problems. My
guesses include:
1a) Bad heating element. Possibly from long-term use with hard water
-and/or-
b) Low voltage to the heating element because of miswiring,
bad power cord, bad outlet, bad thermostat, bad switch, etc.
- and -
2) Bad/clogged/dirty 3-way valve

I would disassemble the 3-way valve and clean it. It might be as
simple as a bit of machining brass stuck in there. This has been
reported on a few occasions. This will also reveal how dirty that part
is which will testify as to its age, use, or maintenance level.

After that I would check voltage to the heating element, resistance of
the heating element, continuity of the thermostats, etc.

My website has a number of wiring diagrams, color coded to the Silvia,
descriptions on how the machine works, the operation of the 3-way
valve, as well as a link to the disassembly of the 3-way.

Randy "55 years old and in excellent condition" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

Date: 12 Apr 2007 19:13:40
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

Howdy Randy!
Just spit balling it here, but couldn't these problems be associated with a
machine intended for 240 volt use?
--
Robert (Gig 'em!) Harmon
www.tinyurl.com/mb4uj - My coffee pages
www.tinyurl.com/2tnv87 - Guidelines for newbies.
www.tinyurl.com/37gwfr - I may have stuff available for sale here.

"Randy G." <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com > wrote in message
news:6eus131s1g62qdn58cek9iil2kphckc93l@4ax.com...
snipped
> You are correct in that this is the first post in over 6 years in my
> memory with such problems. I think there are multiple problems. My
> guesses include:
> 1a) Bad heating element. Possibly from long-term use with hard water
> -and/or-
> b) Low voltage to the heating element because of miswiring,
> bad power cord, bad outlet, bad thermostat, bad switch, etc.
> - and -
> 2) Bad/clogged/dirty 3-way valve
>
> I would disassemble the 3-way valve and clean it. It might be as
> simple as a bit of machining brass stuck in there. This has been
> reported on a few occasions. This will also reveal how dirty that part
> is which will testify as to its age, use, or maintenance level.
>
> After that I would check voltage to the heating element, resistance of
> the heating element, continuity of the thermostats, etc.
>
> My website has a number of wiring diagrams, color coded to the Silvia,
> descriptions on how the machine works, the operation of the 3-way
> valve, as well as a link to the disassembly of the 3-way.
>
>
> Randy "55 years old and in excellent condition" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
>
>

Date: 12 Apr 2007 12:42:14
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: What's wrong with my Silvia? Help!

"Robert Harmon" <r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com > wrote:

>Howdy Randy!
>Just spit balling it here, but couldn't these problems be associated with a
>machine intended for 240 volt use?
>

Good pull, Robert. I forget that the rest of the world has REAL
electricity! ;-)

In normal circumstances that would not be much of a possibility but
since it was an eBay sale it is certainly a good guess, and would
explain the poor heating element performance as well as the poorly
operating 3-way valve!

Randy "220, 225, whatever it takes!" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com