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An easy to use home Espresso machine created by Saeco and rebranded for Starbucks. This machine is excellent for every day espresso drinkers and has an excellent build and product life.

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Pump works, briefly, then gets quieter, doesn't pump

When I start to pull a shot, everything sounds normal, works normally. Then the pump gets very quiet and stops pushing water through the coffee. To me it seems as if a valve gets shut, but the pump is still trying to pump. If I turn it off, then on again, it works briefly, then gets backed up (or loses pressure?) again.

It works fine without the Portafilter in place. It works with an empty PF - but it leaks out the top so much that the pump isn't really being challenged.

All screens are clean, and I've tried single shot pods (my norm) and double shot with Starbucks ground espresso, loosely tamped.

Thanks for your help!!

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If water flows through the portafilter when there's no coffee in it then it's very likely your pump is failing and needs to be replaced. That's assuming nothing is leaking while it's running (ie. the steam wand).

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Thanks so much, Henry H, I really appreciate your help.

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Here's a twist, though: it seems kind of like the pump gets quiet because the portafilter is holding back the pressure, maybe not because the pump is weak. Is that possible, that it would let the coffee flow intermittently, the portafilter valve opening and closing?? Thanks, again!

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If water flows through the portafilter when there's no coffee in it then the portafilter itself is probably fine. If the portafilter valve were clogged shut or assembled incorrectly, or if the coffee basket were clogged, then you wouldn't be able to get anything through. Since you're using pods it's unlikely that the coffee itself is an issue (ie. too finely ground or tamped too hard), and that leaves only the pump as a possible source of the problem.

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Michael, did you get your machine working? I have the exact same problem with my machine. The pump turns on, fills the portofilter bowl with water, then quiets and doesn't move water. Steam wand still works. Everything seems operational. I disassembled and cleaned grounds bowl, portofilter, and the brewhead screen. Water comes out of the brewhead, shoots through the screen, but with the portofilter in there, it refuses to push the water through. Any suggestions?

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Nembry, I think Henry H is right, and we have pump problems. That said I did get mine to work, but only when using pods - not loose grounds.

I ran a needle into each and every hole in the grounds bowls (I put tape on the top to save my fingers). At the time it seemed like I was maybe even making the holes larger than they were originally, but I can't be sure.

So that worked for the pods (I also cleaned everything else you mentioned), but loose grounds still won't flow. I even tried not-packing them, leaving lots of room, and nothing.

I was ready to buy a new pump one day when I saw a posting that the pumps can often be fixed! So, that process has stalled till I get the inspiration to try it :)

Henry H, if you see this, can pumps be fixed, sometimes?

Good luck, Nembry

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Hi, I was having the same problem. My machine was purchased in 2004, and I must admit I took poor care of it, until the last couple of years. I found the solution, between this site and Youtube. A new pump solved the problem (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8K...). Replacement is fairly easy, takes about 30 minutes, all you need are Phillips screwdriver and a couple of metric wrenches (10 and 12mm). One video I found was not very helpful, about half of it was useless (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMVy6l7f...) but it at least familiarizes you with the internal workings.

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Thanks for the input, Mike. This is an old thread, 2 years, and I resolved the issue without replacing the pump: the strainer which the pod sits in was pretty well clogged, so I ran a needle through every hole.

According to my 09/30/16 post, above, I guess I would have a problem with loose grounds, still, but I haven't tried. The pump itself is still going strong!

Thanks again

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I've had the same problem with my unit; sometimes a quick on/off of the steam wand fixes it for me. I took my unit apart and the pump *seemed* okay, but it's hard to tell when it's inconsistent. I think Henry's probably right though.

I think this may be the correct pump- I'd check with yours to make sure though. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8KBVZE/ref=...

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The EX5 will work but you can use the cheaper EAP5 instead; same flow rating, but a plastic stem instead of metal.

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Just had this happen with used machine. Pump ran fine, pumped water out steamer, not brew head. Turned out to be calcium blocking the passage above the boiler spring loaded valve. Twirling a small drill bit by hand cleaned out the calcium.

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How can I access the ‘passage above...valve’? Is it easy? Would descaling solve this? Thanks

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Michael sera éternellement reconnaissant.
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