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Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > Rancilio Silvia...

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rpaulo
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Joined: 28 Sep 2012
Posts: 22
Location: USA
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Fri Sep 28, 2012, 11:06am Subject: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

We just purchased a Rancilio Silvia with a Baratza Preciso. I've been having a problem with the Rancilio Silvia and I was wondering if it's a problem with the machine I have or simply a protection system. We started getting good shots with lots of crema pretty early on and the coffee flow coming out of the portafilter was ok (still need to fine tune the grinder, but practice makes perfect). Late last week, we started having a problem with the machine. First there was no crema and the coffee flow was minimal. I thought it was simply a mistake with the grinding setting, or during dosing or incorrect tamping. After wasting 12 oz. of coffee beans and trying many different grind settings the problem didn't go away. After being frustrated for a while, I checked the relief tube. There was no water coming out of it when the water pump button was on (the steam dial was closed). I knew this was wrong and I let it run like that for a bit. After 10 seconds I heard a click and water started coming out of the tube. I thought "OK, that's better" and then I tried to brew another espresso. It worked wonderfully. Yesterday the same exact problem happened again and the same solution fixed it. So, is there something wrong with my machine or is it something else? The coffee beans were roasted last week, so I doubt it's any problem with the coffee.

rpaulo
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Sep 2012
Posts: 22
Location: USA
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 7:04pm Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

Now we can't make the machine work again. Any ideas? I'm about to return it.

zedex
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 126
Location: B.C Canada
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Spaz v2
Grinder: vario

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 7:13pm Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

Can you run water through the steam valve? Turn machine on and prime it by turning on the pump and steam switch and opening the steam valve. I sold my silvia years ago and IIRC thats how you do it. This makes sure the boiler is filled with water. When water comes out of the steam wand then the boiler is full.

D4F
Senior Member

Joined: 15 Mar 2012
Posts: 1,198
Location: USA
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID
Grinder: Preciso

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 7:28pm Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

Just to clarify, do you hear the pump run? If you run the pump/brew and open the steam wand water should come out there in full flow. The pump can output about 10 cc/sec if no resistance. Have you descaled, and when? Have you backflushed regularly? The 3 way can get stuck.

rpaulo
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Sep 2012
Posts: 22
Location: USA
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 8:05pm
Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

zedex Said:

Can you run water through the steam valve? Turn machine on and prime it by turning on the pump and steam switch and opening the steam valve. I sold my silvia years ago and IIRC thats how you do it. This makes sure the boiler is filled with water. When water comes out of the steam wand then the boiler is full.

Posted October 1, 2012 link

I can run water through the steam wand.

rpaulo
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Sep 2012
Posts: 22
Location: USA
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 8:09pm
Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

D4F Said:

Just to clarify, do you hear the pump run?

If you run the pump/brew and open the steam wand water should come out there in full flow. The pump can output about 10 cc/sec if no resistance.

Have you descaled, and when?

Have you backflushed regularly? The 3 way can get stuck.

Posted October 1, 2012 link

Yes, the pump is running but it makes a slightly different sound. Water comes out of the steam wand in full flow. I never descaled because this machine is brand new (bought it +- 1 week ago). I backflushed twice today but there was no effect on the espresso.

I noticed something weird, but I don't know what's the cause: When I turn on the hot water pump (second button) *and* I don't open the steam wand valve no water is coming out of the relief tube (the second tube that goes into the water reservoir). I thought that water must come out of the relief tube every time you don't open the steam wand valve. What I find interesting is that when it does, I can pour a good espresso. When it doesn't, it's the worst espresso ever.

D4F
Senior Member

Joined: 15 Mar 2012
Posts: 1,198
Location: USA
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID
Grinder: Preciso

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 8:43pm Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

I guess that I did not understand that you bought it new. Scale should not be a problem. You could speak with the seller about problems or understanding the machine. It seems that the pump is ok, normal flow ot the steam arm. If no PF on the group is there good flow out the group with the brew switch? Is the backflush normal, can you definitely detect good backflush flow?

rpaulo
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Sep 2012
Posts: 22
Location: USA
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 9:00pm
Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

D4F Said:

I guess that I did not understand that you bought it new. Scale should not be a problem. You could speak with the seller about problems or understanding the machine.

It seems that the pump is ok, normal flow ot the steam arm. If no PF on the group is there good flow out the group with the brew switch?

Is the backflush normal, can you definitely detect good backflush flow?

Posted October 1, 2012 link

Sorry, what's PF? Water is coming out of the brew head with no problems, but when I try to brew an espresso it comes out really slowly, very black and no crema.
Regarding backflush, I did see the water coming out of the 3 way solenoid when I backflushed.
If you have a Silvia, do you see water coming out of the second rubber tube every time you turn on the hot water pump but keep the steam wand dial closed?

frcn
Senior Member

Joined: 23 Dec 2001
Posts: 2,925
Location: Northern California
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Double
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Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 9:03pm Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

After steaming, are you refilling teh boiler? Low water level is the only "normal" situation that would explain the problem. Otherwise, sounds like either a pump pressure problem or a problem with water supply to the pump. Time to contact the seller.

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rpaulo
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Sep 2012
Posts: 22
Location: USA
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Mon Oct 1, 2012, 9:08pm
Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia - no crema / pours slow

frcn Said:

After steaming, are you refilling teh boiler? Low water level is the only "normal" situation that would explain the problem.
Otherwise, sounds like either a pump pressure problem or a problem with water supply to the pump.

Time to contact the seller.

Posted October 1, 2012 link

Yes, the boiler is always with enough water. I've been thinking about low pump pressure as well, but alas, I have no way to measure it.

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