rmjpb Senior Member Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 7 Location: UK Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Reneka Viva II (two... Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: Simple home roaster
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005, 2:17am Subject: Water pump problems???
I have a Reneka Viva 2 group expresso machine and am finding intermittent problems with the pump. The pump kicks in usually only when warmed up, and can then still run intermittently, but it does tend to work better after being used more often. I asked an engineer who says because the machine has been idle for a while (few months) the pump just needs to be used more often and this should then self lubricate. I have run it now on and off for a few weeks but the problem is still there.
I have removed the pump and tried to turn it by hand but this is impossible, I need to turn it with a wrench. Am I able to lubricate it say with WD40 or carbon, or does it sound like the pump is on its last legs?
If I need to get a new one can anyone recommend a good (cheap) supplier? Ideally in the UK but it can be posted. Thankyou.
Paul_Pratt Senior Member Joined: 2 Sep 2002 Posts: 289 Location: Hong Kong Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Marzocco SMAL Grinder: Eureka Drip: Pourover cone works best for... Roaster: Probat
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005, 5:36am Subject: Re: Water pump problems???
You may be able to save the pump. Sounds like it has seized through limescale, dirt or both. You can try removing it and the hoses from the machine and soaking it in a solution of hot water and citric acid and then trying to turn the shaft.
My success rate with this method is about 50/50. The pumps are very sensitive and the slightest piece of junk can jam it up. I have known loose shreds of teflon tape jam then up.
New pumps aren`t cheap, expect to pay >GBP50 for a new pump, I`m sure my friends at www.mulmar.com would have a replacement. Even with new pumps, the shaft isn`t all that easy to turn.
pstam Senior Member Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 2,108 Location: Beijing Expertise: Professional
Espresso: ECM, SAN MARCO, EURO 2000 Grinder: MAZZER Vac Pot: YES Drip: YES Roaster: YES, HOME STYLE
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005, 5:52am Subject: Re: Water pump problems???
rmjpb Said:
I have a Reneka Viva 2 group expresso machine and am finding intermittent problems with the pump. The pump kicks in usually only when warmed up, and can then still run intermittently, but it does tend to work better after being used more often.
In fact, as a professional machine (I check the info from the manufacturer's website), it has double gauge. One for boiler pressure, and one for pump pressure.
After you turn on the machine, the boiler pressure must be at 0.0 position. If the pump start to work, the pump pressure go to 6.00 around (maybe different for different model); and back to 0.0 when it stop.
When the boiler have been heated to a definite level, the boiler pressure increase until pre-defined pressure, normally 0.9 - 1.2. While the pump pressure goes to predefined scale when you turn it on to make espresso. If you are not making espresso and the machine does not pump water, the pump pressure is still at 0.0 bar.
If the scale of the pump is not same as this, call your service engineer and have the machine repared. It can be a problem.
I am not sure that it is helpful for your problem or not. Hope so.
Peter in Beijing ------------------- http://www.kaffa.cn/ ------------------- I have got a new website, just started to establish. If you have any question or suggestion, let me know and it is mostly appreciated.
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