Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

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Date: 18 Jun 2006 20:22:45
From: Digiteer
Subject: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

Hi - we have just obtained a Gaggia Tevi Plus (type sin013C -
pressurised head):

http://www.thecoffeeconnection.com/domino/flexyz/projects/tcc/fx_cm_website.nsf/6b59e1c27ab467dfc1256d08004b0ef9/7822132ff291350dc1256fa8004b3ce6/$FILE/trevi%20express%20plus.pdf

It is in excellent condition, was only little used from new, but has
been stored for over a year or two.

Unfortunately, it just refuses to self-prime I have tried all the
tricks / combinations of manual priming by pumping with steam valve
opening advised in the guides etc , but nothing is happening, just
that sickening 'buzzing pump" sound !

Does anyone have any 'advanced priming' techniques they could share -
or advice as to getting it going please?

All ideas very gratefully received.

BTW, gaggia UK are claiming a 20 "working day" turnaround on repairs -
that's a WHOLE MONTH in real terms - far too long to go without coffee
I think - so its self help or nothing here.

All the very best - and many thanks in advance.

Kind Regards

Dig

Date: 18 Jun 2006 15:13:25
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

Date: 19 Jun 2006 03:28:31
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

Hi.

disconnect the OUTLET side of the pump -- does it pump water? If it
does a boiler water passage (s) is / are plugged. you have to resolve
that issue.

YOU will never have to try to "push" water into the inlet side -- If
the pump is good and the OUTLET IS NOT BLOCKED then it will pull water
from the reservoir.

[pls ignore randyg, -- wrong advice.]

Dave
Saeco / Gaggia service SE

Digiteer wrote:
> Hi - we have just obtained a Gaggia Tevi Plus (type sin013C -
> pressurised head):
>
> http://www.thecoffeeconnection.com/domino/flexyz/projects/tcc/fx_cm_website.nsf/6b59e1c27ab467dfc1256d08004b0ef9/7822132ff291350dc1256fa8004b3ce6/$FILE/trevi%20express%20plus.pdf
>
> It is in excellent condition, was only little used from new, but has
> been stored for over a year or two.
>
> Unfortunately, it just refuses to self-prime I have tried all the
> tricks / combinations of manual priming by pumping with steam valve
> opening advised in the guides etc , but nothing is happening, just
> that sickening 'buzzing pump" sound !
>
> Does anyone have any 'advanced priming' techniques they could share -
> or advice as to getting it going please?
>
> All ideas very gratefully received.
>
> BTW, gaggia UK are claiming a 20 "working day" turnaround on repairs -
> that's a WHOLE MONTH in real terms - far too long to go without coffee
> I think - so its self help or nothing here.
>
> All the very best - and many thanks in advance.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Dig

Date: 20 Jun 2006 00:40:55
From: D. Ross
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

Date: 20 Jun 2006 08:17:00
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

If it did, the pump was defective, or weak, the intake line leaking air
or the outflow blocked or restricted --
NONE of those things are good things.

[but then I expect contrary remarks from you, ross.]

Dave

Saeco / Gaggia repair SE -- PAID to make great Gaggia repairs and
deliver on a warranty.

www.hitechespresso.com

D. Ross wrote:
>

Date: 20 Jun 2006 23:40:08
From: D. Ross
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

"daveb" <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote:

Date: 20 Jun 2006 08:07:38
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

If it did, the pump was defective, weak or the outflow restricted --
NONE of those things are good things.

[but then I expect contrary remarks from you, ross.]

D. Ross wrote:
>

Date: 20 Jun 2006 17:08:52
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

when they come in here ross, I don't have time to screw with them, or
have them die a week after they get home.

MY customer might not have a TURKEY BASTER handy!

if the pump don't suck, it goes in the trash. I could sve up my dead
one and ship them to ya or rg.

and thank you for that ross -- I am in AWE of your contempt! [and its
reliability]

"More contempt than you ever thought possible"

Dave "dxjtrtmlllnn03klgflxxmmf" b
877 286-2833 -- the flamers NEVER call!

Date: 20 Jun 2006 17:03:39
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

well thank you for that ross -- I am in AWE of your contempt! [and its
reliability]

"More contempt than you ever thought possible"

Dave "dxjtrtmlllnn03klgflxxmmf" b
877 286-2833 -- the flamers NEVER call!

D. Ross wrote:
> "daveb" <davebobblane@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>

Date: 21 Jun 2006 05:48:55
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

Ah RG. His loathing of me is so patently obvious.

BTW, rg do you take phone calls?

DAve "sdr4ct25shesh6b" b
83 silvia pids so far.

Randy G. wrote:
> Digiteer <digiteer_uk@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >Hi - we have just obtained a Gaggia Tevi Plus (type sin013C -
> >pressurised head):
> >
> >http://www.thecoffeeconnection.com/domino/flexyz/projects/tcc/fx_cm_website.nsf/6b59e1c27ab467dfc1256d08004b0ef9/7822132ff291350dc1256fa8004b3ce6/$FILE/trevi%20express%20plus.pdf
> >
> >It is in excellent condition, was only little used from new, but has
> >been stored for over a year or two.
> >
> That was the clue that our esteemed "authorized" repair person missed.
> Once the machine had been put into use and then stored, the pump's
> piston can 'freeze' (as in "get stuck") in place or be blocked, or a
> valve gets stuck or other similar action that does not allow the pump
> to prime. This can be from mold, mildew or other organic growth
> (uchhh), or possibly from the use of hard water which left some
> deposits during the storage period.
>
> The reason that focing some water was the first thing I suggested was
> that it is the easiest to try. Since you stated that you had tried to
> prime with the steam valve opened it was a logical starting point.
>
> If that does not work then there are more "drastic" measures that will
> need to be attempted to find the problem that will involve at least
> partial dissassembly of the machine.
>
> The next question would be if the "buzzing pump," as you described it,
> sounded like the normal sound of a working vibratory pump or just an
> AC humm. If it was just an AC humm, it could be that the diode in the
> pump is defective.
>
> But if the forcing of a bit of water into the pump through the intake
> hose fails to give a positive outcome for you, then the next step is
> to either remove the pump or access the lines to and from it and test
> the pump with the outlet side disconnected, either from the pump end
> or the boiler end.
>
> I can give you more direction, but take care, and if you do not feel
> comfortable working around electricity and water, best to leave
> further repair to a qualified and experienced repair person.
>
>
> Randy "one PID installation and counting" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

Date: 20 Jun 2006 22:16:53
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Gaggia pumped Espresso machine - can't prime, and ideas?

Digiteer <digiteer_uk@yahoo.co.uk > wrote:

>Hi - we have just obtained a Gaggia Tevi Plus (type sin013C -
>pressurised head):
>
>http://www.thecoffeeconnection.com/domino/flexyz/projects/tcc/fx_cm_website.nsf/6b59e1c27ab467dfc1256d08004b0ef9/7822132ff291350dc1256fa8004b3ce6/$FILE/trevi%20express%20plus.pdf
>
>It is in excellent condition, was only little used from new, but has
>been stored for over a year or two.
>
That was the clue that our esteemed "authorized" repair person missed.
Once the machine had been put into use and then stored, the pump's
piston can 'freeze' (as in "get stuck") in place or be blocked, or a
valve gets stuck or other similar action that does not allow the pump
to prime. This can be from mold, mildew or other organic growth
(uchhh), or possibly from the use of hard water which left some
deposits during the storage period.

The reason that focing some water was the first thing I suggested was
that it is the easiest to try. Since you stated that you had tried to
prime with the steam valve opened it was a logical starting point.

If that does not work then there are more "drastic" measures that will
need to be attempted to find the problem that will involve at least
partial dissassembly of the machine.

The next question would be if the "buzzing pump," as you described it,
sounded like the normal sound of a working vibratory pump or just an
AC humm. If it was just an AC humm, it could be that the diode in the
pump is defective.

But if the forcing of a bit of water into the pump through the intake
hose fails to give a positive outcome for you, then the next step is
to either remove the pump or access the lines to and from it and test
the pump with the outlet side disconnected, either from the pump end
or the boiler end.

I can give you more direction, but take care, and if you do not feel
comfortable working around electricity and water, best to leave
further repair to a qualified and experienced repair person.

Randy "one PID installation and counting" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com