Izzo Vivi Mk1 grouphead temperature issue

stevenc66

Greetings Coffeetime, it’s been a while since I was active on any coffee related forum but used to be active back in the day. I remember DaveC and it’s great to see he’s still active and helping the community. I was part of a green coffee bulk buy way back before Bella Barista started selling bulk green and remember traveling down to Halifax (Pennine Tea and Coffee, maybe?) to collect some sacks for those in Scotland who were involved in the buy. Anyway, on to my issue…

I’ve had a Mk1 Vivi for what must be close to 20 years and generally been able to fix/replace any issues to keep it running like a charm over the years. However, I now have a problem that I can’t seem to get to the bottom of, intermittently (although becoming more common) the grouphead temperature drops (I have a thermometer installed) from what I believe is a lack of water in the grouphead. When it gets like this and I see the temperature anywhere from 65-85 Celsius I lift the lever it can take 20 seconds plus before any water exits the screen, I then have to leave the machine and let it get up to temp before I can make my coffee.

I’ve rebuilt the grouphead from the Bella Barista kit and replaced any of the components that weren’t in the kit too. I’ve even tried replacing the pump. The machine has been regularly back flushed and I descaled recently too to try and troubleshoot the problem. The most recent attempt to resolve the problem was to disconnect the tube and L-shaped connector coming from the boiler to the group and reconnect again adding new plumbers tape to the theards, this helped for a few days before the problem arose again. I can see no leaks anywhere so I cannot figure out what might be happening, would appreciate any advice at this point.

Having said all that it might be excuse I need to finally get a new machine and the ECM Puristika seems to be the ideal candidate for me as I gave up steaming milk a long time ago. I know there are a few people who’ve had issues with theirs but I’m hoping these are isolated incidents and that there are happy owners who can put my mind at rest if I decide to go down that road?

Thanks in advance, Steven.

DavecUK

stevenc66 Vivi is either leaking from the top or the tail. It’s either the top valve in the group letting by, but as you say you replaced it so probably isn’t that. I can’t remember now, because it was a long time ago but I don’t think the Vivi had a one-way valve. There’s a leak in the sealed brew circuit somewhere. The pump would normally stop any backflow but perhaps that’s not happening especially if the pumps very old and calcified.

I’ll have to go and check my archive photos.

In the meantime after getting water from the group, lift the inlet hose to the pump out of the tank and see if any waters coming out.

Also check and possibly clean the expansion valve, as that could be leaking through age or scale.

Puristica is fine no issues, there was one in the early days of the launch. The E61 group thermosyphon locking on startup because they forgot to add the mod I recommended a few years before on the prototype. They did this long ago and it’s all good now. I’m using mine at the moment, until I put a couple of Bianca’s on the counter over the next few days.

stevenc66

Thanks Dave. Yeah, it must be a leak somewhere and if I could see a pool of water it might be easier to figure where from. The pump was replaced and it made no difference but I’ll try the suggestion of lifting the hose (you never know!) and will just go ahead and replace the expansion valve (ordered one from BB). I’ll run the Vivi with the skins off for a few days examine closely to see if there is a leak from a joint.

I’ll also keep my fingers crossed that BB have a Black Friday sale and knock some money off the Puristika! 😉

stevenc66

Caved. Puristika incoming… 🤦🏻‍♂️

CoyoteOldMan

stevenc66 Enjoy!

DavecUK

stevenc66

DavecUK Oh I’m sure! If it serves me as well as the Vivi did I’ll be over the moon!