I am now tasked with repairing a Starbuck Barista (or Saeco SIN006, same parts different colors). The owner had it for the past 20-something years, and, not knowing anything about espresso machines, had the pump replaced about 2011. I recently thought it would be a good idea to clean the somewhat clogged up portafilter, so I used the appropriate cleaner (caution: this is ''not'' a descaler) as I didn't want to use vinegar or CLR and its everlasting smell. So the good news is the portafilter and shower screen are now completely clean. The bad news is the issue I was trying to get rid of didn't go away.
***First symptom***
# Whenever I close the portafilter against the running pump, the pump noise slowly dies out as pressure builds up (normal, as it is a pressurized portafilter).
# Keeping the portafilter closed still allows some water to drip, whereas it should be fully watertight (or so I understood)
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***Second symptom***
# When I open the portafilter again, water should come out easily and the pump noise should increase as pressure in the boiler decreases.
# However, this isn't the case: I only get a few drops (the content of the portafilter, basically), but the pump is still humming slowly and doesn't provide any additional pressure.
-
***What I already tried:***
* Just after reopening the portafilter, turning the pump off for a few seconds to a minute (highly variable) will usually allow a steady stream of water to come through the portafilter. By doing so, I assume I the pressure inside the boiler diminishes.
* Removed shower screen just in case = no effect, same symptoms
* Removed portafilter after pump has slowed down to a low huming noise. (WARNING: before anyone says so, yes, I know this is DANGEROUS should there be any pressure build-up in the portafilter. That's why I did so behind a wet towel to avoid any splashes. However, from symptom #2, I knew there wasn't any pressure. If unsure, ***++don't do it++***) = suprisingly, no effect either!
* At this step, the only obstacle on the pressurized water path should be the mushroom valve.
* I also tried to remove the mushroom valve from the boiler, but years of lime build-up took their toll and I couldn't do it and just bent the tool. I didn't want to use WD-40 for obvious reasons.
* Dismantling the pump, ''just because''. Here are some pictures:
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*
[image|3005781]
Inlet plastic tube is reasonably clean. Rust marks are actually on the outside. Plunger is a bit loose in the tube.
*
[image|3005779]
Plunger O-ring isn't as tight as video tutorials on ULKA pump show it to be, but snug enough it doesn't slide off by itself.
*
[image|3005780]
Plunger plastic ball appears to sit properly on the thin end of the plunger.
*
[image|3005782]
High pressure side has a bit of scale build-up, but nothing out of the ordinary
***What I can't try***
Logic would require one to use a manometer to know the pressure provided my the pump. However, I have no such instrument.
-
I made a [link|https://vimeo.com/839208193?share=copy|short video|new_window=true] describing the issue. In this video, shower screen has been removed and there's obviously no coffee in the portafilter.
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I made a [link|https://vimeo.com/839208193?share=copy|short video] describing the issue. In this video, shower screen has been removed and there's obviously no coffee in the portafilter.
* 0 to 11": pump noise dies down as pressure builds up against closed portafilter.
* 18 to 27": I open the portafilter, very small amounts of water comes out, pump noise doesn't resume.
* 27" to 35": I repeat the manoeuver, to no avail.
* 36": pump is turned off, portafilter is open.
* 48": pump is turned back on, water flows through portafilter.
* 1': portafilter is closed against running pump
* 1'10": portafilter is opened again, no flow.
* 1'17": pump turned off
* 1'24": portafilter still open, pump turned back on twice, no flow.
* 1'34": portafilter open, pump turned back on after a few seconds off-time, correct flow.
-
*
What is the problem with this machine?
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=== Actualización (07/04/23) ===
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Update: I ran a cycle of descaling using the recommended instructions / ingredients (100ml lactic acid in 1 l of water). I unplugged the heater element so as not to waste electricity. Water came out milk-ish white. I am now in the rinse cycle.
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However, a ***two new issues appeared***:
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# when I close the portafilter, the pump never stops. It doesn't even slow down, and water is leaking from the top of the portafilter.
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# The portafilter itself developped ***rust*** under the basket for some unknown reason
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I can't even check that the original problem disappeared!
I am now tasked with repairing a Starbuck Barista (or Saeco SIN006, same parts different colors). The owner had it for the past 20-something years, and, not knowing anything about espresso machines, had the pump replaced about 2011. I recently thought it would be a good idea to clean the somewhat clogged up portafilter, so I used the appropriate cleaner (caution: this is ''not'' a descaler) as I didn't want to use vinegar or CLR and its everlasting smell. So the good news is the portafilter and shower screen are now completely clean. The bad news is the issue I was trying to get rid of didn't go away.
***First symptom***
# Whenever I close the portafilter against the running pump, the pump noise slowly dies out as pressure builds up (normal, as it is a pressurized portafilter).
# Keeping the portafilter closed still allows some water to drip, whereas it should be fully watertight (or so I understood)
***Second symptom***
# When I open the portafilter again, water should come out easily and the pump noise should increase as pressure in the boiler decreases.
# However, this isn't the case: I only get a few drops (the content of the portafilter, basically), but the pump is still humming slowly and doesn't provide any additional pressure.
***What I already tried:***
* Just after reopening the portafilter, turning the pump off for a few seconds to a minute (highly variable) will usually allow a steady stream of water to come through the portafilter. By doing so, I assume I the pressure inside the boiler diminishes.
* Removed shower screen just in case = no effect, same symptoms
* Removed portafilter after pump has slowed down to a low huming noise. (WARNING: before anyone says so, yes, I know this is DANGEROUS should there be any pressure build-up in the portafilter. That's why I did so behind a wet towel to avoid any splashes. However, from symptom #2, I knew there wasn't any pressure. If unsure, ***++don't do it++***) = suprisingly, no effect either!
* At this step, the only obstacle on the pressurized water path should be the mushroom valve.
* I also tried to remove the mushroom valve from the boiler, but years of lime build-up took their toll and I couldn't do it and just bent the tool. I didn't want to use WD-40 for obvious reasons.
* Dismantling the pump, ''just because''. Here are some pictures:
*
[image|3005781]
Inlet plastic tube is reasonably clean. Rust marks are actually on the outside. Plunger is a bit loose in the tube.
*
[image|3005779]
Plunger O-ring isn't as tight as video tutorials on ULKA pump show it to be, but snug enough it doesn't slide off by itself.
*
[image|3005780]
Plunger plastic ball appears to sit properly on the thin end of the plunger.
*
[image|3005782]
High pressure side has a bit of scale build-up, but nothing out of the ordinary
***What I can't try***
Logic would require one to use a manometer to know the pressure provided my the pump. However, I have no such instrument.
I made a [link|https://vimeo.com/839208193?share=copy|short video|new_window=true] describing the issue. In this video, shower screen has been removed and there's obviously no coffee in the portafilter.
* 0 to 11": pump noise dies down as pressure builds up against closed portafilter.
* 18 to 27": I open the portafilter, very small amounts of water comes out, pump noise doesn't resume.
* 27" to 35": I repeat the manoeuver, to no avail.
* 36": pump is turned off, portafilter is open.
* 48": pump is turned back on, water flows through portafilter.
* 1': portafilter is closed against running pump
* 1'10": portafilter is opened again, no flow.
* 1'17": pump turned off
* 1'24": portafilter still open, pump turned back on twice, no flow.
* 1'34": portafilter open, pump turned back on after a few seconds off-time, correct flow.
*
What is the problem with this machine?