Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 4:12pm Subject: Starbucks Barista not pumping
I just got out my Starbucks Barista from storage as my backup to my FrancisFrancis X3 (see my other post). It's been in storage for about 3 years. Before that I hardly used it. I probably used it for about 6 months or less. It still looks great.
It heats up fine, but there is no suction. I hear the pump running. It just doesn't suck up the water. It creates steam just fine. What do you think is going on?
Rancilio Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 422 Location: New Jersey Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Giotto Premium Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Back to Basics Popcorn...
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 6:06pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista not pumping
It looks like you don't have any luck with your coffee machines. Well, usually at the bottom of the water tank, there is a little filter and also a clear plastic hose that is connected to the water pump. I would definitely lift the water tank out and check the filter first and the condition of the hose, make sure it's not disconnected from the tank spout going to the pump. Mr.T
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 7:11pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista not pumping
I literally took the water tank out, disconnected the slip-on filter at the end, pressed the tube onto my tongue and turned it on. There was no suction. (Yes, my fiancee raised her eyebrows)
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 8:00pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista not pumping
Could be. I don't see why time would hurt a water pump though. I guess I'm going to have to open the sucker up and take a look. Hopefully the hose isn't attached to the pump. That would make it easy.
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 11:19pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista not pumping
Took a peek inside. Everything looks fine. There is no calcium deposits anywhere and the hose isn't kinked. It really looks new. Maybe the pump really took a dive over time.
physicsdude Senior Member Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 40 Location: British Columbia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Office Lever Grinder: Compak K3 Touch
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 11:27pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista not pumping
Did you disassemble the pump? It does not take anything too big to gum it up. I had to open up mine and remove the pump, disassemble and clean it. Turned out it was something like a tiny hair stuck in it. I found instructions online. If it was stored, the contaminants may have solidified enough to create the problem.
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 11:27pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista not pumping
Hi Jon,
Welcome to the Coffeegeek forums! {;-)
I recommended this to another CG member before. Here's the post: "Re: Now I've done it: Dry pump" Try manually priming the vibe pump water inlet/input (suction side) tube by hand. Hold the tube up in the air above the pump, & fill the tube with water., turn on the pump & the water should then be sucked into the pump & helped out by the slight gravity drop within several seconds. If not, turn off & blow into the tube to 'force prime' it & hopefully it will then work.
Posted Thu Jan 29, 2009, 12:16am Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista not pumping
I tried pouring water into the tube but the tube doesn't fill because it's so narrow. Without having to submerge it, how do I get the tube filled up with water?
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