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need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > need help...

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boon
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Apr 2005
Posts: 10
Location: amsterdam
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Fri Apr 1, 2005, 2:28pm Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

hello there, just got the same machine - a Faema c85 compact. Great looking beast and well built. Two questions though: 1: She does build up pressure to 3 bar, but does not heat. What could this be? I have the on/off knob on red (pushed in), but there seem to be no other toggles or switches. 2: Does anyone have a manual for this machine many thanks, boon

Ziggy
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Jan 2004
Posts: 41
Location: Idaho
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Faema Compact S single group...
Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly,Faema...

Posted Fri Apr 1, 2005, 10:29pm Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

Boon, I just sent you the manuals I have. check your email. The unit might not be heating if you have a thermostat switch that was tripped. Look on the back of the heating element, in the middle of it is a small round black item with 2 electrical connections to it and it should have a small red button in the middle. Try pushing it and see if that works.I had that same problem. I will send a pic of mine that I took when I rebuilt it. Thanks Ziggy

stash
Senior Member

Joined: 20 Mar 2004
Posts: 286
Location: Wisconsin
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: ECM Botticelli II, Bialetti...
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso, Zass 169DG
Vac Pot: Yama, Bodum eSantos
Drip: Presto Scandi
Roaster: Hottop & I-Roast

Posted Fri Apr 1, 2005, 10:54pm Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

How about Faema grinders ??? I purchased a Faema conical burr set that I intend to use in a custom grinder design, and would love to get my hands on some technical literature showing parts detail. Not even sure of the grinder model number though. The conical burr set is a thing of beauty and very robust. I found several sources of the Faema burr set for about $190, but than managed to find the set for only $60.

boon
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Apr 2005
Posts: 10
Location: amsterdam
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Sat Apr 2, 2005, 7:45am Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

Ziggy, thanks a lot. It worked. This is a wonderful machine. One more question (anyone): how do I read the water meter. There is a brass rod kind of floating behind the screen, and at times you see the actual water level coming down (or up). . Which of the two indicates the actual water level, the brass rod or the actual water level? The machine has a direct water inflow through the main water supply. Am I supposed to turn this off once the boiler is full, or should it remain open at all times? Must sound like a dumb question to you guys, but I am a complete newbee for this kind of gear. Thanks for any info. Great forum!! Boon

myhd
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Oct 2002
Posts: 39
Location: Ontario Canada
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Faema Compact C85/1
Grinder: Faema A6
Drip: Bunn A10
Roaster: Got To Get One

Posted Sat Apr 2, 2005, 8:22am Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

Hi there, The actual water level is what you read. You just leave the water turned on. That way it will fill the tank when needed. Mine has been left on for a few years now. And I have to agree, these are wonderful machines.

boon
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Apr 2005
Posts: 10
Location: amsterdam
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Mon Apr 11, 2005, 1:24pm Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

Just descaled my compact s/85. Nice clean hot water and steam. However, I have the impression there is not enough pressure coming throught the espresso head. It makes coffee, but it more like hot water drippiung through rather than a real espresso. I imagine that somewhere there must be a high pressure pump so as to build up the pressore over the 1.5 bars that I read on the meter, but I cannot figuer out where it is. Is it the small black box screwed on the grouphead? Or is is the pump way back that goes on when you take off steam or hot water? And if there is a high preswsure punm can it be serviced or replaced? Thanks for any info, boon

danceswithgoats
Senior Member

Joined: 13 May 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Olympia Washington USA
Expertise: Pro Barista

Espresso: Older Faema Compact

Posted Fri May 13, 2005, 9:55pm Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

Is it possible that your grind is too fine? Or too coarse for that matter? From what I know and understand of espresso machines is that if there is a loss in pressure it's usually the result of a leak which would be pretty obvious I would imagine. Also, some older machines take alot longer to build up to full pressure. I'm not a qualified tech. but I'm not afraid to tear these things apart and find out what's wrong with them. They really aren't made up of much. Hope this helps. Goatman

gucciago
Senior Member

Joined: 6 Apr 2004
Posts: 78
Location: Palm Beach,FL
Expertise: Pro Roaster

Espresso: 07 La Marzocco Linea 3EE/...
Grinder: MAZZER Major with DOSER
Vac Pot: N/A
Drip: N/A
Roaster: Custom Gas Drum Roaster/PID...

Posted Tue Mar 14, 2006, 7:31pm Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

Ziggy, I too just got ahold of a FAEMA C85 Compact Series S/1 ( Mr.Espresso ) and I do not have any manuals.. is it too much to ask maybe to shoot me a copy of that manual?? :D the machine has not arrved yet but Im eagerly awaiting it.. I sold my Pasquini Livia nad I think this is a more robust machine... am I on track?? I paid 485.00 for it and it seems to be fairly expensive if bought new?? Thanks! Dennis Parham "Roasting Harar under the blue skies of South Florida" (Click for larger image)

oysterhead
Senior Member

Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 61
Location: Nashville
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: NS Mac Cup V
Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly

Posted Tue Mar 14, 2006, 8:06pm
Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

boon Said:

I imagine that somewhere there must be a high pressure pump so as to build up the pressore over the 1.5 bars that I read on the meter, but I cannot figuer out where it is.

Posted April 11, 2005 link

boon, i'm assuming your machine is a heat exchanger....

the pressure on your gauge is boiler pressure, which is directly related to the temperature of the water in the boiler, which is used (via the heat exchanger) to heat the water that comes through the water line and then out of your group head. the water in the boiler and the water that you make your shot with never come in contact with one another.....the pressure in your boiler should be between 1 and 1.5 bars. you adjust the pressure up if the shot water is too cold, and down it it's too high.

the pressure that you're wanting to adjust is the pump pressure, which should be adjustable with a screw that's on the pump....follow the water line into machine and it should pretty much go directly to the pump. on the pump there should be a screw that you can use to adjust to pump pressure, which should be between 9 and 10 bars. however, i wouldn't adjust the pump pressure without a gauge...you won't know where your pump pressure was, or where it ends up...

i'm doubting that your pressure is too low....perhaps you can answer some questions:

does a sufficient stream of water come out when you pull a shot without the portafilter in??? (you want the answer to be yes.)

how many seconds does it take to fill up a few ounces without the portafilter in the machine? (it should only take several seconds to get a few ounces of water without the portafilter engaged)

does the stream of water coming out of the group head hiss if the machine has been sitting for a while? (you want the answer to be yes.)

if all of these check out....your grind is probably way too fine.....

and remember that it should take somewhere between 20 and 45 seconds to pull a 1 to 2 ounce espresso.

myhd
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Oct 2002
Posts: 39
Location: Ontario Canada
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Faema Compact C85/1
Grinder: Faema A6
Drip: Bunn A10
Roaster: Got To Get One

Posted Tue Mar 14, 2006, 8:54pm Subject: Re: need help identifying an older faema espresso machine

I just emailed you what I have. Myhd

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