CWL Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Location: OKC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II, Sirena Grinder: Super Jolly, Ascaso iMini
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 4:18am Subject: What is the problem with my machine
Ok so I just good the Astra Pro. Its seems to be a great machine I have been able to pull some really good shots. The problem is I have only had it for a few days and there seems to be something wrong with the pump. When I turn it on for the cooling flushing water comes out just as it should but at the end of the cooling flush as the water starts to settle down the flow gets weaker and weaker and then just stops. The pump is making a strange noise like it is under pressure. I will call Astra later on today, but does anyone else have a clue?
Yes. The cap on the resavoir shouldn't be tight, it's there to keep contaminants out but there's no valve so it has to be loose to let air in.
Secondly, the pump needs to be primed. When you first start the machine, open the steam valve, turn the red power button on (the pump may run a little to fill the boiler) after the orange and green light come on, run the brew (green button) for a good 10 sec or so to remove any air in the system. This is supposed to be done every time it's fired up.
If that doesn't work, you can take off the back round cover, remove the quick connect tube on the pump outlet side and run the pump for 20sec or so to prime the pump (assuming a vapor lock is the problem). This will prime the pump by not having any pressure for the pump to work against.
You may want to call Astra prior to doing the last step w/ removing the cover. He may tell you to do the same thing, but at least it's him telling you.
CWL Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Location: OKC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II, Sirena Grinder: Super Jolly, Ascaso iMini
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 6:50am Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
Thanks Joel, I did not know I had to prime it every time the instructions are a little vague. Also I had the water fill cap tight. How did you know to keep it loose? Did I miss it in the instructions?
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 7:28am Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
It's not in the instructions. I kept mine tight at first unil I heard the pump working hard and realized the pump was creating a vacuum; opened up the cap and heard a pshh.
CWL Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Location: OKC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II, Sirena Grinder: Super Jolly, Ascaso iMini
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 8:00am Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
***Update*** Richard from Astra has given me a few thing to try and has really help me out. Unfortunately I got a hold of someone when I called in at first that was very uniformed.
No and I have to admit I am getting angry. Richard is out of the office and they told me I would have to wait until Wed. to talk to him. The person that I was talking with was not much help. We where have trouble communicating. Its like he did not know what a cooling flush was. He also told me that after I run 2-3oz thru the machine I need to wait 3-5 min. before pulling another shot because of the size of the boiler and the heating element. When I told him that his website said you could do 120 an hour (not that I would ever need any where close to this amount) he said there is no way this machine could do this and that the site was wrong and if I had any other question I needed to wait and talk to Richard next week. This is ridiculous.
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 8:18am Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
Cliff, I'm really sorry you're machine's having trouble especially having just got it. I've only dealt w/ Richard and Alba, so I'm not sure who you talked to. I'm sure Richard will get you up and running though and take care of you.
In the mean time you could try taking the back cover off; there are four screws that hold it in. There's a thin tube coming out of the outlet side (on the right side of the machine) of the pump joined by a quick connect at each end of that tube. If you push the collar in, the tube will come out of the elbow; take the tube out at the top end, not at the pump so you still have the tube connected to the pump to control where the water shoots. Turn it on and pump water through the pump for a good 20sec; be forewarned that the water will shoot a little ways so you may want to do this next to your sink or have a container near by. I'm not saying this is the problem, but it's a quick and easy process to at least try.
Again, I'm sorry this is happening, but I still stand by that astras are decent machines.
CWL Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Location: OKC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II, Sirena Grinder: Super Jolly, Ascaso iMini
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 8:34am Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
Thanks Joel I will try that when I get home. What I don't under stand is the first shot I did to day it fine. Then 15min. later for the second shot it mess up again. So it is intermittent.
It seems like a great machine. My phone call could of been handled a little better.
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 9:18am Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
You're absolutely right, the phone call should have been handled a little better. I think part of the issue is it's a bit of a one man show w/ just richard. I had one problem and he actually spent quite a bit of time w/ me over the phone, so I hope he'll do the same w/ you.
CWL Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Location: OKC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II, Sirena Grinder: Super Jolly, Ascaso iMini
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 2:22pm Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
I spoke with Richard today and although he was off he called me via cell phone to try and help me with my problem. He was very understanding and gave me a few thing to try tonight.
Just for future Astra owners that may read this post. The fresh water cap that comes with the Astra Pro either needs to have a small hole put in the top of the cap or don't screw the cap on tight. I find it odd that they do not put this in manual that comes with the Astra Pro but until I am able to try the machine at home tonight we think this is the problem
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 3:31pm Subject: Re: What is the problem with my machine
Cliff, it's good to here you got a hold of richard. I've only dealt w/ him a couple times, but he really takes pride in every machine that leaves the door. He's treated me well and I know he's treated Mitchell well and that's why I have no problem recommnding astra. Espresso machines are just that, "machines"; so it's not necessarily if a problem comes up, it's a matter of how it's handled.
Out of curiosity,what did he tell you to try? Hopefully it will take care of the problem so you won't need to send it in.
Lastly, you're right; I have NO idea why the cap issue isn't listed in the manual. It makes perfect sense why the cap shouldn't be tight, but it took me suffocating the pump a couple times to realize it. Hope you get your machine up and running sooner than later; keep us posted.
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