Mine idles around 0.9 or 1 bar in brew priority at the middle temp, switch pushed to the left and has done since I’ve had it.

    DavecUK

    Okay so I put it into switch position 0 which should be steam priority. In this position it took 50 minutes for the temperature light to go off and idles at 1 bar. Ive attached a video of pulling a shot. After pulling a shot there is no steam boost either. So I am definitely confused. Temperature is position 0 too. There was absolutely no power for milk, it could barely steam when I made milk and couldn’t get the milk rolling (stayed at 1 bar and under). The element also seems to kick in during the shot.

    Ps this machine is still under warranty (4 year warranty at BB)

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/pb2kfe22rky9dsa/PXL_20230114_085528512.mp4?dl=0

      StevenG91 - if the machine is still under warranty, did you contact BB? If so, did they say anything or have they dismissed as normal?

        MediumRoastSteam

        To be honest not much. I spoke with them on the phone and they told me what I was experiencing was normal, and the switch was probably the wrong way around 😅 Even then, that doesn’t account for some of the other things that’s happening. BB said if I was concerned to email their support team with a video and they would look into it, so I’m stuck waiting to here back really.

        Guess I’m looking for confirmation that there is actually an issue and that I’m not going mad. This machine is 2nd hand, and BB transferred the warranty to me. So I’ve never had a Mara X before but from my observations it doesn’t seem to be functioning as should. Maybe @DavecUK will have some comments?!?

          StevenG91 - which version of machine is it?

          If v1, check the video link below. Which means, the switch pressed down “0” depressed, is in brew priority mode, I.e.: clever machine.

          If in position “1” - 1 depressed, it’s a dumb HX machine.

          As far as I remember.

          Edit: I’m talking nonsense. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

          Review: https://coffeeequipmentreviews.wordpress.com/2020/03/10/lelit-marax-review-in-progress/

          If you check some of the threads here, there were initial machines where the temp sensor malfunctioned or the gicar box was somehow behaving strangely.

          Hopefully someone with a MaraX can confirm things for you.

            MediumRoastSteam

            So as if stated in my first post, in the switch up position 1 as Dave states in the video it should be brew temperature priority (however in this mode it sits at 1.5 bars and doesn’t move and element continually kicks in). As per my post above with the machine pressed down in position 0 which should be hx mode it idles at 1 bar and doesn’t fluctuate, but takes 50 minutes to warm up, and can’t steam for shit 😅.

              StevenG91 MediumRoastSteam

              So as if stated in my first post, in the switch up position 1 as Dave states in the video it should be brew temperature priority (however in this mode it sits at 1.5 bars and doesn’t move and element continually kicks in). As per my post above with the machine pressed down in position 0 which should be hx mode it idles at 1 bar and doesn’t fluctuate, but takes 50 minutes to warm up, and can’t steam for **** 😅.

              I can confirm that position 1 is Coffee Priority (V1 machine). This should be similar on a V2 machine, although on the V2 this is confusingly named “Xmode Steam”.

              On both versions (V1 and V2), position 1 on the switch on the right side means that the machine will idle at a good brewing temperature (focusing on the coffee), and then will boost up the heat/pressure once the machine is used (steam boost is triggered by lifting the lever or purging the steam wand or the hot water tap). The difference between V1 and V2 is that in V2 the steam boost will be stronger and longer (to give more steaming power).

              I have never used the machine (V1) in the other mode (switch position 0, which in V1 is standard HX mode - machine idles at steam temperatures and needs a cooling flush to bring it down to brew temperatures), so can’t say much about that mode.

              In the following video you can see a time lapse of how my machine’s pressure behaves from the moment I turn it on (again, in Brew Priority mode, switch position 1). You can see the quick heat-up cycle (pressure goes up to almost 3), followed by the boiler cooling down and the pressure idling between just above 0.5 bar and around 1 bar:

              In this second time lapse video you can see the manometer after a shot (first half a second is a steam boost to around 1.5 bar, and then it cools down and returns to idling at brew temperature:

              I believe that this is the correct functioning of the machine when the side switch is in position 1 (Brew priority on a V1, Xmode steam on a V2 [though on a V2 I would expect a slightly stronger and longer steam boost]). If your machine is functioning differently, my guess is that something is wrong. The obvious culprits would be the temperature probes (there is one at the top and one at the bottom of the boiler; both are the same part), or the Gicar box (the brain controlling the heating elements).

              As a side note, I have read reports on forums that BB advised owners who had issues that there is a mistake in the Mara X’s manual, and that actually position 1 on the side switch is HX mode, and Coffee Priority mode is position 0. This claim is 100% not true for my machine, and I haven’t seen a single report from other owners that it is true on their machines. If BB tell you that Coffee Priority is position 0 - I would take that with a whole bag of salt.

                Doram

                That’s what they tried to tell me over the telephone. I’m going to try and push for back to base I think as I think it’s definitely not functioning properly 🙉. Either that or see if they will send new probes or gicar for me to fit. But I doubt it 🙏

                I believe Xmode steam got replaced by Xmode coffee, so I think your switch down (0 depressed) is coffee priority mode (effectively no real steaming power and stable temps) and up 1 is steam boost mode

                  DavecUK

                  This is a 2021 version 1 model. So that should be original settings with version 1 gicar box?

                    DavecUK

                    Well it was purchased early 2021 before version 2 update was released (I think). In which case that would make the behaviour above unusual for the v1? I.e cycling at 1.5 bar in brew priority

                      9 months later

                      StevenG91

                      Did you get this resolved? If so, how?

                      My MaraX (out of warranty) is behaving in the exact same manner. It would be good to know what to expect before contacting Bella Barista.

                      7 months later

                      @Exiled @StevenG91 any updates from either of you in terms of a fix? My machine is behaving the same now and before I pull anything else apart or order further parts I’m wondering if you had any pointers?