Pnwskier Senior Member Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Posts: 7 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Jun 30, 2012, 11:17am Subject: Saeco Rio Vapore - Did I kill the pump?
My several week effort to get my old, but barely used machine up and running hit another snag. I was following the procedure to alleviate vapor lock outlined in the Starbucks FAQ's (fill tank, turn on machine, immediately open steam wand, run for 2 minutes, then push brewing button and run for 2 minutes, then turn off brewing button and run 2 more minutes through steam wand). I opened the steam wand for 2 minutes, but one minute into having both steam wand and brew button open, the motor suddenly got very quiet, making only a humming sound, and stopped pumping water through the steam wand. Now when I turn the machine on, it only makes that quiet humming sound with no water moving. At one point it made the very loud sound for about 2 seconds, but then reverted to the quiet hum. Is the pump now super vapor-locked, or have I somehow wrecked it? If I haven't wrecked it, how do I get it back to normal? Any help greatly appreciated.
Regarding your problem, the steam wand only needs to be open for a few seconds. I'm wondering if the continuous ,pump on may have fried it. If so, these machines are readily available, including a removal of the "crema enhancer' or perhaps a normal PF and basket for $75 to $100. Not worth repairing, or replacing anything, IMO. YMMV. Another member may have a more hopeful, and perhaps more CORRECT respond se. Good luck.
Pnwskier Senior Member Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Posts: 7 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Jun 30, 2012, 11:42pm Subject: Re: Saeco Rio Vapore - Did I kill the pump?
Thanks for moving the post. I am now getting a little flow out of the steam wand, and it has erupted a couple of times with the loud vibrating noise when I've forced water through the pump, so I don't think I've completely killed it. I know it probably isn't even worth the time I've put into it now, and I should move on to a new and more modern machine, but I just can't bring myself to scrap it. So I'm not ready to give up, but I'm getting close.
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