espnewbie Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2013 Posts: 6 Location: Jackson, MS Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Feb 8, 2013, 8:19pm Subject: DeLonghi EC 155 not putting out enough water...
I've had this espresso maker for two months and recently have been experiencing a problem with the unit putting out enough water. It is now taking twice as long as it is supposed to make a shot - unacceptable. I tried descaling the machine with citric acid, but no difference. Any recommendations would be appreciated!
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,225 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Fri Feb 8, 2013, 10:04pm Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC 155 not putting out enough water...
Welcome to CoffeeGeeks.
New machine, or just new to you? Try running the pump/brew switch with the steam wand wide open and quantitate the flow. Measure flow from the group and steam wand for say 15, 20, or 30 seconds and do the math to figure total flow rate converted to cc/minute.
Have you removed the screen?
Are you just meaning flow through a puck while brewing?
espnewbie Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2013 Posts: 6 Location: Jackson, MS Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Feb 8, 2013, 10:19pm Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC 155 not putting out enough water...
Yes it is a new machine. I removed the 'shower head' screen while descaling. A lot of what was either coffee grounds or granular scaled lime came out during the descaling. I wonder if I should do a second descaling? I've only had the machine two months, but I use it rather heavily, at least three cups a day. I'm using lightly tamped coffee in the standard pressurized portafilter. I'll try to measure water flow tomorrow morning. Thanks for your input!
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,225 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Fri Feb 8, 2013, 10:29pm Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC 155 not putting out enough water...
Here is a parts diagram. I believe that you can get scale and trouble in the valve, parts 14 and 15. It can then stick and not open well. There are a few large EC155 threads on CG that may help.
espnewbie Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2013 Posts: 6 Location: Jackson, MS Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 10:23am Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC 155 not putting out enough water...
This morning, the machine works great! Output is as good or better than when I first got it. Guess the descaling procedure finally worked! That said, I'm wondering what othereoples experience is as far as the longevity of this machine. Seattle Coffee Gear say between 3 to 5 years. I like this little machine as a starter set up, but am already getting 'upgrade fever'. I hear the new Gaggia Carezza, due out in the US sometime in '13, is a good upgrade. Any other recs for a sub $300 or so upgrade. My main concern is the ability to go to a stock non-pressurized portafilter.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,225 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 11:14am Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC 155 not putting out enough water...
I tried to look up the new Carezza. I found it, but no real specifications or diagram. It has a new appearing exterior, but, the problem has been lack of OPV and ability to really adjust pressure, and no 3 way. It may have some pressure adjustment at the pump return valve? Many of the Gaggias have had leaks from tubing and oetiker clamps, not been a problem on the Classic. I believe that most Gaggia recommendations in CG and other forums has been the Classic.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,225 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sat Feb 9, 2013, 12:52pm Subject: Re: DeLonghi EC 155 not putting out enough water...
Sorry about the terms. Over Pressure Valve is a valve that limits pressure between the pump and eventually, the puck. In the most basic case it serves to keep the pump from complete stall and to allow flow back to the water reservoir when a critical pressure is reached. This could happen if you grind too fine and no water can get though the puck. Sometimes there is a safety valve to do that at the pump, and other times it is an adjustable valve. The Classic has an adjustable pressure valve. This means that the user can set it to limit pressure to the puck. It can be set to 9 bar pressure which is felt to be optimal brew pressure when not using a pressurized portafilter. Many machines come with a pressurized PF and that works with higher pressure, so the pressure is set higher, and as above adjustable, or not.
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