I recently had a friend (with some espresso knowledge) down in the big city (3.5 hours away) buy an Astra Gourmet Auto (at a decent price) which was supposedly "working just fine" (before it was taken off direct plumbing as the new restaurant owner was moving to a leased machine/pods). I know enough to realize that I was taking a (big) risk but it came with an operable grinder (NS MCF--in decent shape) and Astra, being a "local" company, with a reputation for friendly service, and the price, like I said, was reasonable, and I like to trust people..... so it seemed a risk worth taking.....Plus, I thought, "I like projects"......
After wiring in the proper receptacle (20 amp) and plumbing and plugging in the machine, I crossed my fingers, prayed to all the gods I could think of, and fired her up....
Or tried to fire her up....
Now (of course).....I need some other gods, hence my appeal to you all on CG.....
The good news....The start switch lit up and lights danced across the auto choices (top of the machine) in maybe a testing routine and noise akin to the (Procon) pump "wanting" to turn (humming) was audible. And, since the initial disappointment of the machine failing to fire up, I've been able to get the pump turning (but not with street water pressure and only on occasion) by pressing the auto controls. I've taken the impeller off the motor portion of the pump which allows the motor to turn freely. (The sound, however, is a bit "grindy," as if a bearing or two aren't quite what they should be.) Also, the impeller part of the pump turns (by hand) but with significant resistance. (Is this normal?) There's a tiny hole in this part of the pump, as if it might take grease. In taking the two parts of the pump apart there seemed to be residual (more or less dry) grease in the housing and in a nearby plumbing fixture. (Uh oh?....) I should also note that at one point (before taking the pump apart) I was able to get the pump turning and (by adding street pressure) I got the boiler pressure gauge to move (to a very high setting) but then the over-pressure valve began leaking. I took that piece off, played with the spring closure, but have been unable to get any boiler pressure since.
I feel a bit stuck and am wondering how to proceed. I'd really prefer to not throw "good money after bad" (i.e. buy a new pump) esp. it being so early in the game. I've gotten a parts list (generic and showing no electric....) and manual from Astra but I'm hopeful that the electronics (not my strong suit....) are OK and that if I can just get some good flow and pressure to the boiler, the pressurestat will allow the heating element to fire and I'll be (more or less) "back in business." I'm hoping a little "pump therapy" (i.e., a rebuild) might do the trick..... I realize this may be overly optimistic but my spirits are still reasonably intact.... (I've got other working machines to maintain caffeine delivery, and, obviously time on my hands.....) A compounding problem is that I don't really know my way around these HX machines and there are parts which I'm not quite clear on. For example, there appears to be an electronically controlled valve between the pump and the boiler. Is it preventing me from getting sufficient pressure to the boiler? For that matter, do HX machines generally employ the pump to pressurize the boiler or simply use line pressure and only use the pumps to move water through the HX and to the grouphead(s)? Maybe there are some good coffeegeek (or other on-line tutorials) that break down HX machines and their various parts and functions....
Anyhow, any and all help is very much appreciated and (maybe, with my wife or kid's help, computers not being a particular strong point either....) I can post some photos or other helpful bits....
HI, sorry for your problems. First, a rotary pump that has been sitting for a while can freeze up. It happens. The pump in my machine was like that, it took a pair of water pump plyers to get it moving again. I was lucky and once it was freed up, it moved well and has been fine since. It sounds like you are not so fortunate. You can get a rebuild kit for most pump heads but the actual new pump head is only like $150 or so. The pump should turn free when not connected to the motor and there is no grease to install, it is cooled and lubed by the water it pumps.
The boiler is normally filled with the pump and the pump pressurizes the water through the HX system. I am not sure what valve you are referring to but there are several in the machine. The HX system is where the brew pressure is, the boiler should not see brew pressure and it typically is at .9 to 1.4 bar of pressure or about 38 psi give or take. The brew system goes to 9 or 10 bar (about 130 to 140 psi) depending on how you setup your machine.
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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