Espresso Machines: E61 Group Head Not Flushing

[@toddpower4674]

I like all these e61 Maintence videos. I got a synkronika and live out in the middle of nowhere (on an island) and can't get service unless I send my machine away. So these do it yourself videos are excellent. Helps me prevent problems by understanding what's going on.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Todd, Thanks for the comment. We do our best to support the espresso lover community!

[@ozpain1]

Dang, you guys are killing it!!!!

[@ronisheli458]

@@ozpain1 yes the line is clean. It was clogged when I got the machine.

[@ronisheli458]

Good evening my name is Roni. I have a question my ECM SIMILAR TO E61 I bought a rebuild Changing it I’m getting on the low pressure too high pressure. I did something wrong What can be the problem . I’m willing to pay you for helping me , Thank you Roni

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi roni, Thanks for the question. Unfortunately I do not have enough info to fully understand your issue. If you are in the US/Canada feel free to reach out to our tech support staff here for assistance: support.wholelattelove.com/hc/en-us

[@ronisheli458]

@@Wholelattelovepage thank you very much. For answering. I woke up in the morning. I realised I upside down the location of the gauge. I fix it. Everything is fine. Have a wonderful fourth of July. Thank you Ronnie.

[@erlynlopez9731]

Great video guys, keep it up. Questions, how does the pressure relief valve work on a Silvia? You mentioned that once handle goes down the mechanism open and release pressure. Does it work the same way on a solenoid valve? When does it open and closes? How does the valve know? Thank you..

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi EL, Thanks for the question. The solenoid is energized and open when brewing. When you stop brewing it de-energizes and opens the other path to release pressure.

[@RobFisherUK]

I have the mechanical issue. It's not completely not flushing, it's flushing slowly and ineffectively. I guess I need to service my group head. Now I'm off to find more of your e61 videos.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Rob, Let me help - here's the link to the full E61 rebuild video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e32sqHdqZdmmqNU

[@kolyan420]

Hi Rob, yeap, i have the same problem.

[@RobFisherUK]

@@kolyan420 I still haven't fixed it! I do have the parts ready to go, though. I will get around to it eventually.

[@RobFisherUK]

@@kolyan420 I finally fixed it. I learned a few things. 1: I am glad a did a back-flush to test with the machine cold. The top nut seal was not quite complete when I finished and the machine squirted a jet of thankfully cold water across the room. 2: not all spare parts are the same. My E61 parts kit had many parts which did not quite match. 3: the square peg on the release valve was visibly worn from contact with the cam. It's screwed in to the valve, so instead of replacing it I just loosened it by a turn to make it effectively longer. It's working well; I'm not sure how long it will last. I'll do a more proper fix if I can find the right spare part.

[@kolyan420]

​@@RobFisherUK Nice solution! So i am also found the reason: ofcourse square peg also was worn, but not to much for not opening. i diassembled bottom flush valves and find out that lower disk-nozzle with small holes was blocked by some carbon. After boiling in citric acid ang relubrication of cam bezzera working like new one. I ordered two spareparts kits for e61 and only one of them suit. But yes, all of them for e61.

[@jeepincanada]

Hi! Great videos !! I'm having some problems wt my appartamento. When using the blind basket wt soap & backflush to clean the group head. The soap stays in the basket and does not flush back in the group head?? Also, since last week, the pressure takes forever to arrive to the portafilter and start brewing... like 15 secs I think... way longer than normal. What's going on ??

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi jic, Thanks for the comment and question. Unless you know the pump is bad (doesn't sound right or something) it's likely a flow blockage causing a very slow or low pressure build up in the portafilter. That can be caused by a variety of issues ranging from a pinched water line or dirty particle filter between reservoir and pump, to scale deposits in internal pipping, to a clogged jet on top of the mushroom valve in the E61 group. Here's a link to our complete E61 rebuild video. I've linked it to the portion discussing the jet but other parts of the video may have useful info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e32sqHdqZdmmqNUsi=hs5thNVFBN562MzX&t=1829 A fairly easy way to do initial check for pump and flow issues is to measure how much water comes out of the group head with the pump running and the portafilter removed. Vibration pump machines should do about 7g/sec. if less than 4-5g/sec something is blocked up. Run the pump for 10 seconds and collect the water coming from the group. If it's less than 40g by weight or 40 milliliters volume there's a blockage or pump is failing. Hope that helps!

[@jeepincanada]

@@Wholelattelovepage tks for the reply! Brought it to the shop. They are changing the pump.. =(