Lelit Elizabeth v3 pump running more often

klundtasaur

Lelit Elizabeth v3, bought brand new in Oct 2021. About 6 months ago I noticed the pump running more often–from once an hour or so to maybe once a minute. A month ago I finally got around to opening her up and saw water leaking from the top of the steam boiler through the center brass fitting (with the tube coming out through the middle of it).

I replaced that part (MC935, for those looking in the future) and installed the replacement with teflon tape on the threads. I reassembled and noticed the same issue (pump running a lot more frequently) and after following the advice of a couple of threads on here, I pulled the “Fill level sensor” and teflon taped that as well.

Image for clarity:

Now, I no longer see any water leaking from the top of the boiler when it’s running–but the pump is still running about every 60-90 seconds. I know it’s steam-boiler related because disabling the steam boiler fixes the problem.

My workflow with the machine is: it turns on as I get in the shower in the mornings (WiFi plug FTW) so by the time I come downstairs 30 minutes later the whole machine is hot and ready to go. Then I’ll leave the machine on until my wife comes down (usually between 30-90 minutes later, depending). So, the machine will typically run for 2ish hours every morning, and then for another hour or so for afternoon espresso. And I’ve only ever put either distilled+TWW or a barista hustle distilled + minerals recipe in it, so I don’t think it’s a scaling issue.

I have also noticed that my steam knob seems to require quite a bit more tightening to keep it from dripping water out the tip–IDK if this is a related issue or something else.

Thanks in advance for the help!

MediumRoastSteam

klundtasaur - if it’s filling up so often, the water has to be going somewhere. It the boiler overfills, eventually water will come out not necessarily to the open, but it can leak out through the valves and the water be channeled out through the hoses, ending up in the tank, or in the drip tray, or at the steam wand. It could also be below the boiler: did you check it?

If you keep tightening the steam tap more and more, eventually you’ll damage it beyond repair - if you have not done so already. You should undo the steam wand, remove the spindle and check the plunger at the end. You might need to change it. It’s an easy thing to do. Add a smear of silicone grease to the o-rings while you are at it.

I’m afraid you’ll have to do some detective work to figure out where the water is going.

Good luck!

klundtasaur

MediumRoastSteam out through the hoses, ending up in the tank, or in the drip tray, or at the steam wand. It could also be below the boiler: did you check it?

Currently I don’t see any water in the bottom of the internal areas–when the pump runs every minute or so, the water is discharged it is back into the main reservoir. Before I replaced the center top valve on the steam boiler, I did see water below the steam boiler but it looked more like it had spilled from the top–didn’t see any evidence of leaks at the bottom of the boiler.

If you keep tightening the steam tap more and more, eventually you’ll damage it beyond repair

Oh damn. That’s not ideal. What should the plunger look like/not look like? Anything I should look for to indicate damage? I have a couple of food-safe silicone lubricants–is a thicker gel better than a silicone oil?

Petre Did you check if this probe was clean

Yes; there wasn’t anything in the part that is inside the boiler, but it didn’t slide smoothly (I presume due to the lubricant drying out). I tried to replace it in exactly the same depth as before.

Petre

Did you check if this probe was clean, without scale on it? Also check the wire that connects to it and to the main board.

Petre

klundtasaur that’s because of scale build up on the rod, not because of lack of lubricant :)

klundtasaur

Petre

Ah, that makes sense. Should it be able to slide on its own then?

Petre

klundtasaur yeah, not that sliding itself is necessary, but the scale would prevent it.