HI, I bought a Mara X V3, makes great coffee but my machine makes a horrible "Squeaking" noise. it can happen at any time the pump kicks in but doesn't happen every time the pump kicks in, if you see what I mean. The squeaking is sometimes short, other times it squeaks for a whole shot. I have contacted the shop I bought it from and they basically told me that the machine needs to be run-in (Not their words but that's what they mean). Could anybody here help me diagnose this fault, please? I have video of the noise. Thanks

@"trendoid"#p33481 If you put the video on youtube as unlisted and just paste the link here, we can all see and listen to it. It's most likely "reeding" of the expansion valve…It may self resolve, if not sometimes a change in brew pressure of even + or - 1/4 of a bar can stop it. It's an adjustment that takes only a few minutes to do and can be done by a home user…the top simply needs to be removed to make the adjustment.

Hi Dave and thanks here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4v2HYpOqsI

that is annoying to say the least, hope you get it sorted, I have not had that problem with my Mara X

I was prepared for a high pitched noise but it sounds to me as some kind of vibrations, the machine can be getting in resonance at some point that might generate the noise. I personally would not call it squeaky. Have you opened the top cover to have a look whether something near the vibratory pump might be loose?

> @"trendoid"#p33481 Mara X V3 Do you mean V2?

I watched the video, if you could make one from the front it would be good. I specifically hoped to see the pressure gauge (brew pressure) with the noise when you made a shot. This is because I noticed it didn't make the noise until probably the brew pressure peaked, and then stopped making the noise before the shot was finished, when I assume the brew pressure started to drop due to the increased permeability of the coffee puck. I'm pretty sure it's noise from the expansion valve as I mentioned previously.

Mara X V3

trendoid

Hi Doram, You are right, it’s V2. I’m new to this so thanks. I’m in Australia so I have a lot of cooking to do before the family arrives tomorrow. I’ll get back to posting the day after your boxing day. Thanks again

trendoid

DavecUK Hi Dave, I’ll get that vid for you after Christmas. I’m in Australia, I’ve got a lot to do before tomorrow so I’ll post again the day after your boxing day…..Thanks

trendoid

Yep, sure is

trendoid

John_Yossarian Hi John, thanks for your comment. My machine is only a six weeks old so I don’t want to do anything to it that could void the warranty. Thanks though

John_Yossarian

trendoid Merry Christmas!
PS Opening the top cover is not voiding the warranty.

trendoid

John_Yossarian

Hi John, I’m new to this site (Or any other, for that matter), Thanks for you reply. I thought that it would be a warranty infringement. It’s good to know its not. Happy new year and may all your problems be little ones

trendoid

John_Yossarian

Hi John, Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, the company “Alternative Brewing” here in Australia won’t even look at it. They say (Paraphrasing) Some machines do that, get used to it.

trendoid

DavecUK

Hi Dave, Hope you had a great Chrtistmas. I will do the vid if you still want me to but I can confirm that you are correct, it only makes the noise when the needle is on 10bar. Just a question, if you were to buy a machine that made this noise, would you expect the company you bought it from, to fix it? I ask because “Alternative Brewing” the company I got my machine from, won’t even look at it. Thanks mate

DavecUK

trendoid Just a question, if you were to buy a machine that made this noise, would you expect the company you bought it from, to fix it? I ask because “Alternative Brewing” the company I got my machine from, won’t even look at it. Thanks mate

It’s just “reeding” of the expansion valve, just reduce or raise the pressure by 0.25 of a bar and it will probably stop. It’s a 5 minute job, literally quicker than phoning your retailer.

trendoid

Doram

You are right, its V2

trendoid

DavecUK

Hi Dave, I’m sorry, I have no idea how to do that. If you could explain please…Thanks

Doram

trendoid I have no idea how to do that. If you could explain please…Thanks

Look at this video. You only need to take the top panel off to do this. A few screws around the panel (under the cup warmer) and you can lift the panel off.

trendoid

Doram Hi Doram, Thank you for that. I will give it a go and let you know how it went. Hope you have a great new year

trendoid

Doram

Hi Doram, I contacted the shop I bought this machine from and they confirmed that it will not void my warranty. They also said this

"While the process of adjusting the OPV will not directly void your warranty, I do want to express my concern that running the machine at a different setting from the stock standard setting, can affect the longevity and integrity of not only the internal components, but the entire machine itself. The entire casing of this unit will need to be removed to adjust the OPV and doing this alone can be tricky and affect the integrity of the internal components, we just do not like recommending removing the casing or performing this procedure to the end users that are not experienced machine technicians.

Would you say that was accurate, please?

MediumRoastSteam

trendoid - nonsense.

trendoid do want to express my concern that running the machine at a different setting from the stock standard setting, can affect the longevity and integrity of not only the internal components, but the entire machine itself

Err…. Can you ask them to explain how and why?I’m curious. 🤣

trendoid The entire casing of this unit will need to be removed to adjust the OPV

Really?
In the video above, you can clearly see Mauro adjusting the OPV with only the top cover removed.

CoyoteOldMan

trendoid [it] can affect the longevity and integrity of not only the internal components, but the entire machine itself.

Yes, of course. Running things at a lower pressure means less stress, so they will last longer.

Ye gods! The whole statement is a show of incompetence, or of bad faith. Or both.

Doram

trendoid Would you say that was accurate, please?

He said at least two things. The claim that running the opv at a different setting from stock will affect longevity makes no sense. It’s like saying that running your car radio at a different volume than was set at the factory will hurt the car.

As for the warning not to open the bonnet - that is a personal thing and I can’t answer it for you. I have a friend who thinks changing a light bulb or replacing windscreen wipers is a job better left for professionals. Personally I think removing the top panel (a few screws) and turning a nut on the opv is very easy. I believe everyone on this forum will agree. However, my light bulb friend would probably shy away from it.

trendoid

MediumRoastSteam

Exactly, I feel that I’m just getting the “Runaround” from this this place. Being a complete novice I had to believe what they are saying. But no more. Thanks

trendoid

CoyoteOldMan

Hi Coyote, That’s how I’ve felt the whole time but not really knowing what I’m talking about I had to grin and bare it. Thanks

DavecUK

So your left with an expansion valve that’s “reeding” and could be silenced by a small adjustment in pressure (0.25 bar or so), V.s. scary words.

The above designed to make you reluctant to do a 5 minute adjustment, that “may” quieten the machine. As always the choice is yours. The combined knowledge on this forum is telling you it’s not an issue, but we are not responsible for supporting the warranty…the retailer is!

Who is the retailer?

trendoid

DavecUK

Hi Dave, Thanks for your reply. As I said, I’m in Australia, the place I bought it is “Alternative Brewing” in Brisbane Queensland. Now I know for sure I won’t void my warranty, I’ll do the adjustment. Thanks

gordy53

a Twat I think

gordy53

I did not use a very bad word there, started with a T and ended with a T!

CoyoteOldMan

gordy53 Twiglet?