JHath Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 41 Location: Edmonton, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Wega Atlas EVD, old Gaggia... Grinder: Wega Max (K.6) Roaster: WhirleyPop, WBP2
Posted Sun Jun 12, 2011, 7:35pm Subject: Pump leak
I received a la Cimbali Selectron M27 2 group commercial machine that I am repairing for my church. It is not known when it was working last. On start up, a light comes on indicating the tank is filling. However it is not. Water is leaking out between the pump and the generator quickly. However, there are no unexpected noises. I took the pump off and bathed it in citric acid. Below is a picture before the bath. I just wiped it clean at this point. Where is the gasket on such a pump? It looks like it would be the black ring around the hole (it feels rubbery). Is that correct? I do see a little bit of what looks like black rubber material (not from what I think is the gasket) inside the hole, but I don't know if that is normal. . I can not find a diagram that tells me what I should be looking for in checking the operation and inner appearance of the pump. Anyone able to tell me how I can test this pump?
Posted Mon Jun 13, 2011, 8:49am Subject: Re: Pump leak
I'm not familiar with your machine, but I know a little about that style of pump. It looks like the procon without the filter basket. When I bought mine and spoke to the distributor, they said if it's run for as little as 30 seconds without water they will not warranty it back. Also that they can see the damage if it is. So knowing that, if someone ran it dry, that could be a problem. Is it plumbed into a water line? You mentioned a tank. If so I don't have any experience with a tank setup. As for the seals, If they are bad you would have water leaking out of them.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,666 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Jun 14, 2011, 1:47pm Subject: Re: Pump leak
HI, welcome to CG.
Part of the problem here is lack of proper terms. This is not a dig on you but we are trying to guess what you are talking about.
Is the "tank" a big round tank like a hot water heater on it's side made from stainless steel, brass or copper? Is the generator the MOTOR that drives the water pump?
I think you are talking about the BOILER (some espresso machines have an open top tank built in to hold the water that will, in the future be used to make espresso after it is fed to the boiler) I am not aware of a commercial machine that has such a tank, rather the boiler inside is more likely, this also fits with the filling of the boiler (or lack there of) from the pump.
There are pump rebuild kits available for many pumps but your specific pump will need to be researched to see if one is made for you. If one is not, the pump head will need to be replaced, you may just want to do that anyway. Replacement is the normal course of action.
As was said, running these pumps dry is a big no-no and will damage most of them very quickly.
Why the boiler is not filling could be a bad pump, stuck valve or the like, only by following the flow of water from the start will tell you where it is stopping.
(if this is not you, then the facts between the posts is striking as to church and date of the questions with the same issue) I think I found your post on HB Click Here (www.home-barista.com) while looking for info on your machine. They basically gave you the same advise and are some good people too. We share a lot of info and most of us here belong to that board too.
To answer your question of grease,(over at HB) the pump runs without grease. The grease is for the bearings on the motor and the pump is lubed and cooled by the water flowing through it, which is why running it dry is so bad for it.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
JHath Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 41 Location: Edmonton, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Wega Atlas EVD, old Gaggia... Grinder: Wega Max (K.6) Roaster: WhirleyPop, WBP2
Posted Tue Jun 14, 2011, 3:39pm Subject: Re: Pump leak
I apologize as I have used some confusing terms. Yes, by "tank" I did mean boiler. By "motor" I actually meant the generator. Also I did "crosspost" and had not considered the rules regarding this (has been a long time since I last posted). I am sorry for the confusion it may cause.
Taking the information I have received so far (for which I am very thankful) it seems that the bearing recently gave in on my pump. No doubt it was bearing grease that I found on the generator side. The clear white grease did not look like anything else. So I am looking at rebuilding or replacing the pump. I will now find the model # and hope to find a rebuild kit. Thanks all for your help.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,666 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Thu Jun 16, 2011, 6:11am Subject: Re: Pump leak
No problem, your welcome. A replacement should be easy to find though it may run you about $150 U.S. Commercial parts are more common than they are different.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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