This is not normal for sure. You have a leak. It sounds like it is coming from the steam boiler somewhere, and the first spot you saw with the bubbles is probably the spot. DaveC or others know this machine better than me, but I had a small leak at the steam boiler fill sensor, which is apparently common. Lelit has a video on how to fix it on YouTube, but basically you just carefully remove the electrical connection on the top, and then unscrew it with a wrench. Wrap with a few wraps of teflon tape, and put it back in without over-tightening it. That seals it well and solves the problem. Now, if you have other damage such as gauges that are now ruined from this or other issues, if you are under warranty, I would contact your retailer about that. Mine had no issues beyond the occasional pumps running for no reason. That got me to looking and saw the leak. All fixed at my house.

    dndrich

    Thanks. I couldn’t see any signs of a leak on the top of either boiler and there is no corrosion.

    I have had an encouraging reply from Lelit who have asked for some photos and a video and contacted the supplier from whom I await a reply.

    Lelit Elizabeth (2) , Eureka Oro Mignon Single Dose, Mignon Mk2 (converted to single dose), Aerolatte Mini grinders(2), cafetières, Bodum K1218 Vacuum

      Video of top of my Elizabeth

      I hope this video works. I wasn’t sure how to add it!

      Mike

      Lelit Elizabeth (2) , Eureka Oro Mignon Single Dose, Mignon Mk2 (converted to single dose), Aerolatte Mini grinders(2), cafetières, Bodum K1218 Vacuum

        MBdoc It worked fine, but the quality was so low (360p), I couldn’t really make out anything. I could hear a hiss though.

        If you have the YouTube app, try filming and uploading using that. There is a round plus button and you can simply press and it will record and upload a video. Then just paste the link again as you did before.

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          Sorry about the quality and thanks for the advice about YouTube.

          Try this one

          I have taken another at better resolution but I can’t manage to copy the link to it

          Lelit Elizabeth (2) , Eureka Oro Mignon Single Dose, Mignon Mk2 (converted to single dose), Aerolatte Mini grinders(2), cafetières, Bodum K1218 Vacuum

          I think perhaps your phone isn’t up to it, is it a very old model?

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          Hi Dave

          I took using my iPad. I reset the quality to the auto setting but it is taking ages to download and I can’t see how to copy the link to add it to my post.

          Mike

          Lelit Elizabeth (2) , Eureka Oro Mignon Single Dose, Mignon Mk2 (converted to single dose), Aerolatte Mini grinders(2), cafetières, Bodum K1218 Vacuum

          Lelit Elizabeth (2) , Eureka Oro Mignon Single Dose, Mignon Mk2 (converted to single dose), Aerolatte Mini grinders(2), cafetières, Bodum K1218 Vacuum

          Surely a leak since you can hear it. Apparently you cannot see it. OK, I would get a dental mirror or perhaps a cheap inspection mirror on a stalk that you can get from the auto parts store and look around with it near the top of the boilers. Perhaps if the mirror is cold the leak will cause condensation on the mirror as it sprays it, and you will then find the leak. You have to find the leak obviously.

            The noise is when I turned on the steam to try and fill the steam boiler a bit and show the bubbles moving in the tube. I can’t see any sign of a leak.

            Lelit Elizabeth (2) , Eureka Oro Mignon Single Dose, Mignon Mk2 (converted to single dose), Aerolatte Mini grinders(2), cafetières, Bodum K1218 Vacuum

              MBdoc - there’s definitely a noise. You can clearly hear it on all videos. Of course I can distinguish the noise from when you turned the steam tap on - that’s not what dndrich is referring to. His advice is spot on. If you can’t see where it’s coming from, then the cold mirror is the way to go.

              Also, next time, best if you turn the TV off, as it would be easier to hear out noises. 👍

              Edit: are you saying that on the other videos you had the steam tap on all the time? In that case disregard the bit about hearing a noise.

              Question: ignore the water moving inside the hoses. But… on the tank, there are two hoses: one for water inlet (it has a cut at the end) and one which is the return - you can follow that one as it is the one attached to the 4-way fitting going to the tank. If you lift that hose from the tank, is steam coming out of it? Do you see/hear bubbles in the tank?

                  dndrich - well… if the safety valve is shot, then the steam could be coming from inside the tank (going back through the return hose), as he also says there was condensation underneath the tank.

                      I can’t see anything obvious, so I’d do a couple of things to eliminate the other possibilities,

                      First, preferably take the outer shell off, it’s in one of my videos. Then run a shot against the blind filter, for about 30 seconds, and check just to see there’s nothing spraying somewhere onto the steam boiler itself or some other thing causing a problem.

                      Observe underneath the steam boiler just in case something is leaking there that hasn’t been noticed, you’ll get a better view from the sides as well and have a good look around.

                      Observe the tube in the tank, see if it bubbles or noticeably steams, and if this continues after the vacuum breaker is closed. You might just be seeing the normal vapour that comes out just prior to the vacuum breaker closing.

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                        DavecUK Observe the tube in the tank, see if it bubbles or noticeably steams, and if this continues after the vacuum breaker is closed. You might just be seeing the normal vapour that comes out just prior to the vacuum breaker closing.

                        Just for clarity, the vacuum breaker tube goes to the drip tray, so it’s unlikely this is the culprit, unless the tube is split somewhere.

                        The safety valve tube goes to the tank. 👍