During the operation of any coffee machine, for example, Bosch, Saeco, Jura, a situation may arise when the main function of making coffee is not performed in accordance with the coffee preparation technology. The drink goes poorly and does not brew as expected. Despite the fact that most errors of this kind are associated with contamination of the water supply channels and the finished drink, quite serious repairs or replacement of parts may be required. If the coffee machine pours little coffee, slowly or does not pour coffee at all, you need to inspect and diagnose the machine. Often the problems described arise in a complex.
Coffee machine in the kitchen
Why does equipment break down?
Conventionally, all breakdowns can be divided into two groups.
The first includes:
- factory defect - there is a scheme for returning the device back;
- lack of timely preventive examination;
- incorrect settings of the coffee machine - I advise you not to neglect reading the instructions;
- mechanical damage, incl. falls, blows. Most often this occurs due to improper transportation;
- wear and expiration of components and parts.
The second group is:
- the use of low-quality grain is an extremely common cause of breakdown;
- lack of cleaning - provokes failure of the heating elements;
- operation of the machine at low temperatures - you can count on problems with the hydraulic system and defrosting of the drainage system;
- power surges , forced shutdown of the coffee machine, unexpected power outage - the control board often flies;
- overload - if you choose a device without calculating the performance, there is a possibility of almost continuous operation, which will damage the machine.
Recommendations for care and use
To make your coffee machine last longer, you should follow a few simple rules for its use and care.
- Read the operating instructions before you begin.
- Use clean drinking water. It is advisable not to pour tap water (not purified by a filter) or mineralized liquid into the compartment (minerals remain on the heating element). Bottled is suitable for coffee machines.
- Choose your coffee carefully. Do not use flavored, raw or coarsely ground coffee.
- If your machine has a removable brewing unit, try to wash it under warm water and detergent once a week.
- To clean parts, use products recommended by the manufacturer. As a rule, their names are indicated in the instructions.
Owners often experience problems with coffee makers due to improper use. Repairing or replacing parts in this case can be quite expensive. Therefore, I recommend following simple rules that will help you avoid unexpected breakdowns and maintain the functionality of your equipment for many years.
If there is no pressure in the coffee machine
The essence of the problem can lie anywhere, including manufacturing defects. But don’t worry too much - initially it’s better to check whether the heating is working, the serviceability of the emergency and air valves, the adjustment of the pressure sensor, and the operation of the pressure gauge. However, most often the source is a pump malfunction.
Pump failure
The pump is the most important component of any coffee machine, regardless of its type and brand. This thing creates the required water pressure, which is supplied to the compressed coffee tablet. If it breaks, you won't drink coffee.
As a rule, all cars are equipped with similar pumps; brands’ own designs are much less common - this is mainly a priority for premium-class devices. However, this does not reduce the likelihood of malfunctions, but may complicate repairs.
Often the pumps start emptying water , and when brewing espresso, the liquid barely trickles into the glass. The reason for this lies in the breakage of the spring and clogging with scale. The unit should be cleaned, decalcification of the system should be started with a good tablet, accordingly, the spring needs to be replaced.
Signs of pump failure are as follows:
- complete lack of drink flow;
- weak coffee supply pressure;
- a significant deterioration in the quality of coffee, a complete absence of cream foam is detected. The drink becomes bad if the pressure is below 9 bar.
I note that all this occurs more often in capsule-type coffee machines , these are the statistics. It’s easy to detect a malfunction yourself - you just need to start the coffee brewing process and monitor the intensity of its flow.
Solution : we carry out cleaning and decalcification. If it doesn’t help, we take the device to a service center. Diagnosis required.
Filter clogged
The second aspect that affects the lack of pressure is problems with filters. If you neglected regular cleaning or used low-quality grain or capsules, this will happen quite quickly. If clogged, the system will no longer allow enough drink to pass through.
Solution: to fix the breakdown, just rinse the filter under running water.
Coffee makers with permanent filters
You can use special cleansers.
You should adequately assess your own strengths - the slightest scratches will cause the coffee beans to be retained . Due to this, the coffee machine will clog much more often.
Grind beans too fine
If the machine does not pour coffee well and makes strange noises, this also indicates a clogged filter. The main problem is using too fine a grind . Therefore, the first step should be to check these settings. In general, I would like to note that in any coffee machine you should not use too fine a grind and old, overcooked beans that look more like crackers. This will save you from a lot of problems.
About breakdowns of coffee grinders and how to fix them
Solution : Correctly adjust the grind on the coffee grinder.
The appearance of an air lock
Another reason for the lack of pressure in the coffee machine is the formation of an air lock. There is only one solution: you should run hot water through the cappuccino maker. If the malfunction remains, it is worth cleaning the system.
Incorrect pressure sensor adjustment
The switches maintain the pressure in the boiler using resistance coils. The factory settings are such that the machine is calibrated at 1.1-1.3 bar (it may be different for different manufacturers - up to 1.5 bar). If it is necessary to change the factory pressure to the operating pressure, this is done using the adjustment screw. A full turn of the screw clockwise or counterclockwise corresponds to 0.1 atm . The actual pressure is monitored on the pressure gauge.
Solution to the problem:
- if the pressure is too high, turn the screw counterclockwise;
- if too low - clockwise.
To check the calibration, you should prepare several servings of coffee.
How to prevent breakdown
Coffee machines require constant maintenance, first of all we are talking about regular descaling. If you don’t have enough time to do this yourself, you can entrust the care of your equipment to the specialists of our Taber center by arranging for service.
In the event of a malfunction that requires repair, do not attempt to understand such complex equipment without sufficient experience, otherwise, instead of repairing the damaged part, it may need to be replaced. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that incorrect intervention will not lead to a number of other malfunctions.
All you need to do is contact us, and a specialist from our service center will arrive at a time convenient for you, even on the day of your call. Moreover, the diagnostics themselves are carried out free of charge, and repairs are carried out at very reasonable prices. For example, replacing a water level sensor will cost only 1,600 rubles. If the cause of the malfunction is the pump, replacing it will cost 7,950 rubles. At the same time, in addition to low prices, you receive a guarantee for all work performed and parts replaced. And most importantly, your coffee machine will be repaired in the shortest possible time, and you will be able to enjoy a high-quality drink again!
Pressure gauge failure
Modern coffee machines are equipped with two pressure gauges - a pump and a boiler . They can be placed in one block or separately. The boiler pressure gauge controls temperature and pressure, it notifies that the device has reached operating condition - the same 1.1-1.5 atm. If the car has one pressure gauge, this thing works for the boiler.
The pump pressure gauge controls the pressure in the brew group. The operating parameters in this case correspond to 9 atm . Deviations from the norm indicate a breakdown.
Causes:
- tubes are clogged with scale (solution: cleaning or replacing with a new one);
- clogging the channels leading to the pressure gauge;
- pressure gauge failure.
Solution : replacement of the unit or tubes at a service center, decalcification.
The filter is clogged: clean it yourself
It is important to change the filter correctly. Otherwise, you may end up with a plug of air, the pump will start working in vain, and ultimately this will become the reason why the coffee machine is noisy and does not work.
Change the filter as follows:
- Turn the filter over with two holes facing up.
- Pour water into it.
- And also fill the car with water.
- Install a filter.
If coffee does not flow well through the spout, then before calling service, check whether the filter is clogged.
Complete refusal of the coffee machine to work
The reasons for the complete failure of equipment to work are unpredictable. Of course, you can systematize the sources of malfunctions by identifying a dozen main problems. However, any specialist will say that the root of evil lies in improper operation . These are lack of care, pouring hard water, low-quality grain and incorrect grinding. I will give the most common reasons leading to the fact that the functioning of the device stops.
Ubiquitous scale
The device may refuse to operate if the user does not periodically decalcify.
As a result, we can come to the following:
- scale on the boiler;
- scale on the water tank;
- scale of the infuser.
Solution: cleaning. This process must be carried out competently, with the participation of professional means. Each brand recommends using a specific powder. But the principle of application is generally the same. The product is dissolved in liquid and poured into a water tank. The coffee machine is heating up. The steam valve opens and the flow is turned on. All the solution must pass through the boiler and tube. The device is turned on and left for half an hour. Next, the tank is washed and clean water is pumped through the system. It is better to drain the first portion of espresso.
Problems with the coffee grinder
The absence of coffee in the cup may indicate that the mill is broken. When the unit refuses to work, the machine stops brewing coffee.
The reasons for this are:
- grain has been poured into the ground coffee compartment;
- using low-quality grain - this can lead to melting of the coffee grinder parts;
- hit by a foreign object - any pebble can block the millstones;
- Water entered the unit causing electrical problems.
Solution : make sure there are no foreign objects in the module. If they are present, they are removed. If the millstones are damaged, they are replaced with new ones. The electrics will be reprogrammed. The last two steps are carried out at the service center.
A couple more important little things
A lot of serious breakdowns occur due to self-repair, which leads to an increase in problems. If the coffee machine was operated at low temperatures, the hydraulic adapter may be damaged by frost . There are options with regular use of hard water, which causes leaks in the thermoblock. A lot of problems arise from not replacing the filter, as I already mentioned.
If the coffee machine does not prepare drinks and does not respond to commands, the red indicator is on or flashing on the display , the source of the problem may be the following:
- an overfilled waste pulp compartment - it should be simply cleaned;
- lack of water in the tank - check for leaks. Add liquid;
- sugar or ground coffee is poured into the bean compartment - I also talked about this.
All these reasons cause the device to block. If eliminating them does not lead to normal operation, a full diagnosis is required at a service center.
Control system failure
Electronic module failures are most common when coffee equipment refuses to work. The basis of this thing is a printed circuit board on which control elements for each component of the coffee machine are located. In the event of a breakdown, most often it is enough to carry out repairs, but sometimes a complete replacement is required.
About failures of coffee machine controls
If such a problem occurs, the device begins to flash all indicators and does not respond to switching on. The display may show strange characters. The equipment incorrectly performs or does not perform the required commands at all.
When restoring the system, proceed as follows:
- replacement of connectors;
- resoldering burnt parts on the board;
- installation of new parts;
- restoration of burnt paths;
- System firmware is essentially a software replacement.
Breakdowns can occur for several reasons. The main one is a short circuit . This can cause overheating of temperature sensors, leaks, damage to the control unit, and a short circuit can also short-circuit the boiler. The source of the problem is high air humidity, water getting into the coffee machine, and voltage surges. Not all models are equipped with a transformer that prevents malfunctions, which, by the way, should be taken into account when choosing. The second point is unstable network voltage.
There is no power in the coffee machine - what to do?
Solving the problem: in any case, the device must undergo diagnostics to identify the true cause of the problem. You can, of course, ring the system yourself, but without proper experience in repairing it, this will not give anything. Let's go to the service. I recommend that all activities be carried out in an official center or with a very good specialist, otherwise instead of a coffee machine you will receive its corpse, because the problem is serious.
If there is steam, but the milk cannot be frothed
If the device produces an impressive steam output, but the milk still does not froth, you should check the patency of the hole. It should be clean and not clogged from the last cappuccino preparation.
You can clean the exit with a toothpick, acting very carefully and carefully.
In general, you should proceed like this:
- the machine is disconnected from the network;
- wait until the water in the boiler cools down a little;
- carefully remove the protective cap from the nozzle of the pannarello nozzle by turning it counterclockwise;
- carefully remove the nozzle itself;
- we try to blow it out (this will reveal the presence of a plug);
- If there is no blowing, clean the hole with a toothpick. There should be no milk residues in the canal;
- install the nozzle and protective cap back.
What should the temperature of the drink be?
The canonical espresso machine prepares using water whose temperature is at least 90 degrees. This is how the drink will get all the taste and aroma, taking it from the ground grain. If you drink coffee that is not as hot as you would like, the reason may lie in trifles, for example, in the use of cold utensils. Before preparing the drink, it is better to warm the cup at least under running hot water.
The second point is incorrect equipment settings.
To check this, do the following:
- go to the menu;
- find “drink temperature parameters”;
- set the value to the maximum (turn the rotary knob or press the corresponding button multiple times).
The third “trifle” is that the temperature is affected by the condition of the brewing device. If it is not heated, the coffee will not be as hot. If you just turned on the device, warm up the system by running a portion of the drink.
Does not grind grains
It also happens that the coffee machine does not grind coffee during operation. Here the repair comes down to the fact that you need to disassemble the case yourself, find the coffee grinder and clean it thoroughly. As a rule, high-quality cleaning helps solve the problem and repair this simple breakdown. A similar breakdown - when the coffee grinder does not pick up grains - can be solved very simply; you just need to correctly adjust the grinding degree. If even after this the mechanism does not pick up the coffee, it is better to contact a specialist.
Water is leaking from under the horn
If you find that the coffee machine is leaking at the junction of the horn and the body, this is not a very serious malfunction that can be easily repaired with your own hands. Most likely, water is flowing due to the fact that the sealing ring at the junction of the so-called “spout” and the body of the coffee machine is clogged. Clogging can occur due to anything: fat deposits, wet pulp, coffee, foreign objects, etc. In this case, to repair you only need to wash the contaminated area and reassemble the horn.
If the coffee machine is leaking because the seal is damaged (cracked or torn), you need to replace it with a new one.
Here you should draw your attention to the fact that it is necessary to replace the o-ring with one with exactly the same characteristics. If you simply find a similar shaped seal in your home workshop (for example, from a car part), you don’t need to install it, because
the rubber from which such a product can be made may not be sufficiently resistant to temperatures or not so elastic. The same requirement applies to other consumables!
How to fix a leak yourself
We also draw your attention to the fact that when repairing a coffee machine like this yourself, you need to check the filter of the horn before installing a new seal. Perhaps the filter is clogged with coffee deposits and the breakdown occurred due to the fact that pressurized water was looking for a weak point of the breakthrough
If the filter is not cleaned on time, more serious problems may occur.
By analogy, you can repair or replace any other oil seal that is leaking. Did you see water running out of the coffee machine? Don't be afraid to repair the problem area yourself. The main thing is to do this in time, before the water reaches the wiring and electronic unit. Timely repairs can protect you from electric shock and your equipment from complete failure. It should also be noted that the opposite situation - when the coffee machine does not pump water, can occur due to a malfunction of the piston located above the brewer. You can also try to repair it yourself after a visual inspection.
