Help needed trying to solve a Starbucks Barista problem

[SJM]

the machine does not get much use, so not much water has run through it since then.

which is the worst scenario for the build-up of scale....

[mp]

Scaling problem, or pump is cavating, unable to build head pressure, sucking air some were maybe bad pump seal ,tear down  and isolate is in order.

Yes. Makes sense. An inspection of the pump and a check for scale must be done. As far as I can figure it is scale, and air pocket, or as Larry suggests even though the pump is making noise, maybe it has no pumping power left.

Thank you for that Sea.

 

[mp]

which is the worst scenario for the build-up of scale....

Ok ... now you make a point for it being scale.

A discovery must be performed.

 

[milowebailey]

the machine does not get much use, so not much water has run through it since then.

which is the worst scenario for the build-up of scale....

All the used gaggias I've bought where not used much....mast in the cabinet and then when they tried to use it..........


A simple cleaning cured all of them but one..... Susan now has the pump from that one.

[SJM]

Susan now has the pump from that one.

But she can't get it open to figure out what it's bleeping problem is....sigh....

Susan

[shootersm]

disassemble and clean the pump
my mokita did something similar and pump was the problem

[mp]

disassemble and clean the pump
my mokita did something similar and pump was the problem

Hmmm ... disassemble the pump.

Will have to consider that.

Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[mp]

All the used gaggias I've bought where not used much....mast in the cabinet and then when they tried to use it..........
A simple cleaning cured all of them but one..... Susan now has the pump from that one.

That's interesting. One would think tht if you don't use the machine much there should not be too much scale built up. In reality it seems that it works in reverse.

 

[Smksignals]

Just a lil chuckle here....

When I saw your title -

"Help needed trying to solve a Starbucks Barista problem"

I thought you were having a problem with a "Barista" at your local Starbucks... LOL...

[mp]

Just a lil chuckle here....

When I saw your title -

"Help needed trying to solve a Starbucks Barista problem"

I thought you were having a problem with a "Barista" at your local Starbucks... LOL...

Good catch.

That is what happens when you are in a hurry to exlain your problem and you don't proof read.

 

[EricBNC]

I have a version of this machine called the Saeco Rio Vapore - doesn't have the same pump (Cosmec 70 watt) and the portafilter came non-pressurized but the rest looks the same. I agree with the earlier suggestion to check the ball spring valve above the shower screen if water comes out of the steam wand

[mp]

I have a version of this machine called the Saeco Rio Vapore - doesn't have the same pump (Cosmec 70 watt) and the portafilter came non-pressurized but the rest looks the same. I agree with the earlier suggestion to check the ball spring valve above the shower screen if water comes out of the steam wand

Thank you for that Eric; I will check that out.

 

[Gene]

I'm new here but noticed your post. I have a Starbucks Barista that is 15 or 20 years old and I've used it daily at times and it has sat around for months at a time idle. I've only ever descaled it a few times. This last time it sat for a few months and I got it out and tore it down. Everything looked good except the shower head was all clogged up. I used a safety pin and reamed out all the holes, took about an hour. I did a good descaling and it works really good now.  My point is these are great machines. You may have clogged up your shower head even more than it was when you last descaled it. Then again it very well could be a faulty pump. I had taken out all the guts in that pressurized portafilter and have been tamping and tweaking out grind settings on my Hario hand powered grinder to surprising results. I'd like to know how you fare with this so please keep us posted. One thing about these machines is you will get a small drip of water from the head when it is ready to pull  shot and the portafilter is not yet inserted. So if you are not even getting that then maybe the pump is bad or that ball valve. Good luck.

[mp]

I once again appreciate everyone's input here. I had the opportunity 3-4 weeks back to descale the Barista. It became apparent rather quickly that this was the problem. Almost as soon as the hot water and citric acid went into the machine all started working again. I was very surprised as it had not been many uses on the machine after the last descale but this does prove the point the less use on a machine the more scale builds up.

Well, the Barista is back to pumping and one of these days I may fire it up so we can enjoy some espresso. (Hopefully I won't have waited too long and it needs another descale  )

A big thank you to everyone who helped me out here.

 

[SJM]

Think about draining the boiler between uses if it's going to sit for a long time.
It might save you some headaches down the road.

Susan