Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Thu Mar 8, 2012, 12:36pm Subject: Help! Oscar no water from the group head
Well, I let my oscar sit for a long time this morning. I got busy. Anyway, not water is not coming out of the group head. Steam is there I steamed 2 pitchers of water till boiling in case there was a vapor lock. I heard the boiler fill when I turned it on. I hear some faint noise when I engage the water button but it is not pumping out it is like the back flush is in already and there is nothing. I even removed the screen. If the boiler fills the pump has to still be working right? I am letting it cool off so I can pull it apart and check stuff.
tracerbullet Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 157 Location: Saint Paul Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Mar 8, 2012, 2:28pm Subject: Re: Oscar not pulling water
If it was my Gaggia that's exactly where I'd start. That alternates back and forth between connecting the boiler to the pump, and connecting the boiler to ambient (the blow-off tube or whatever you want to call it) to relieve the pressure. I don't know your machine but I can't imagine the concept is much different.
Before you buy a valve though, check that it seems to be getting power (either on or off depending on what button you have pressed). There's a chance your button / switch is messed up and the solenoid isn't getting power to begin with. And it's probably a much cheaper fix if that's the case.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Mar 9, 2012, 12:43pm Subject: Re: Oscar not pulling water
I can't get the valve off because it seems to be on with some strange allen wrench thing and not a screw. Anyone have any ideas what size or type so I can go to the hardware store and not have to drag the machine with me? How can I test the pump there was no water in the hose to the solenoid? It is new so I don't believe it is the pump and I have heard it filling the boiler.
thanks.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Mar 9, 2012, 3:10pm Subject: Re: Help! Oscar no water from the group head
I got the valve off with help and opened it up and it doesn't look clean but it doesn't seem to be in bad working order to my untrained eye. Stefano said the coils are normally fine but now I am not sure what is out. I guess I will replace both just to save shipping costs.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Mar 9, 2012, 3:34pm Subject: Re: Help! Oscar no water from the group head
After playing with the valve for a while I believe it was stuck down when I took it apart. I am now cleaning the valve and will try putting it back together and testing before I order new parts.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
tracerbullet Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 157 Location: Saint Paul Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Mar 12, 2012, 1:52pm Subject: Re: Help! Oscar no water from the group head
Great! Much cheaper than replacing it. Stuff like this (the valve) I always figure it's worth a try to fix it, worst case scenario you still have to buy a new one.
tracerbullet Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 157 Location: Saint Paul Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Mar 14, 2012, 7:03am Subject: Re: Help! Oscar no water from the group head
Well - I don't think there's many people surfing here to start with, and even then I'm sure there's a lot of coming and going. For a week or two people will check threads daily, and then forget about it for a few weeks, then come back, and repeat that. Seems to be how it goes.
You probably found a dead period, or no one else had any idea what the problem might be?
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