Lelit Bianca Steam Boiler Issue

robimitchell

Hello,

I need help please!

I identified an issue with steam coming out of the valve at the front, bottom of the machine. It appeared to be the vacuum valve causing the issue as I could see water bubbling in the pipe there when I took the lid off.

I turned the steam boiler off on the LCC while I waited for a replacement valve to arrive from Bella Barista, turned the machine off and drained the boiler while hot. Today I fitted the new valve, turned the machine back on, enabled the steam boiler via the LCC, but the pump did not start to refill the boiler.

The boiler was heating, but without any water in it! I have now disabled it again in the LCC while I try to resolve the issue.

In anticipation of questions:

The unit is nearly three years old, never had any other issues.
I can’t easily get it to Bella Barista (I’m in Scotland).
The machine is plumbed in. My water sits nicely in the bracket of not causing scale or corrosion so just has an in-line filter for any particulates.
The pump works for the E61 section, but it isn’t activating for the service boiler.
The service boiler pressure gauge was at zero while on, confirming that it has no (or little) water in it.

Anyone got ideas how to troubleshoot and isolate my problem?!

robimitchell

Update!

Having searched further I saw a post about disconnecting the fill probe to see if the pump comes on.

Well, this worked in so far as the pump started almost as soon as I disconnected it, but then stopped again as I reconnected it.

I removed the fill probe to check it for scale/dirt etc, but aside from the tip looking a little greyed, it appears to be in perfect condition.

I’m now even more confused…

DavecUK

robimitchell Having searched further I saw a post about disconnecting the fill probe to see if the pump comes on.

Well, this worked in so far as the pump started almost as soon as I disconnected it, but then stopped again as I reconnected it.

There’s 2 possibilities

The Boiler was full (but you say you emptied it)
you drained the wrong boiler (brew boiler)
the fill probe is somehow shorting onto the boiler

Confirm the service boiler is not full and the water level reaching the probe tip. Confirm which boiler you drained.

If you checked the above that correct boiler was emptied and it starts filling when you disconnect the probe wire. Then it logically follows that the probe must for some reason think it’s earthed to the boiler. You may have to remove the probe and check the Teflon sheath in the fitting isn’t damaged…or the Teflon sheath might be on the probe, except for the last 5-10cm or so.

The thing that puzzles me is that this all happened when you drained the boiler…quite a coincidence. Also you didn’t reset the LCC did you, as on a factory reset, it will try and fill the brew boiler 1st (if I remember correctly)?

robimitchell

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your reply.

It was definitely the steam boiler I’d drained as I’d used the hot water tap to do it when it was last fully up to pressure.

It does now have some water in due to the times it’s filled when I’ve disconnected the probe.

I’ve removed the probe only using the smaller of the two nuts that forms part of the fitting. The semi-transparent covering on it appears in good condition, but despite that I have removed it and thoroughly cleaned the metal rod with wire wool. I haven’t removed the larger nut with the white teflon bit in it - I guess that’s my next step.

I have done an LCC reset and it cycled water through the brew boiler, but still failed to fill the steam boiler. I have also checked the connection of the other end (blue) of the grounding cable to the bottom of the casework - it’s good and secure.

DavecUK

robimitchell I have done an LCC reset and it cycled water through the brew boiler, but still failed to fill the steam boiler. I have also checked the connection of the other end (blue) of the grounding cable to the bottom of the casework - it’s good and secure.

If it fills the boiler when you disconnect the wire from the fill probe and manually ground it…then the problem must lie either with:

With the fill probe itself having an issue where it’s perma grounded (sheath or Teflon insert problem).
The only other possibility is a dodgy connection to the probe wire and when you remove it and ground it manually it grounds, but when you plug it back onto the fill probe it doesn’t.

you can test for one with a Multimeter. The machine should be off, and the wire to the fill probe disconnected. Test the resistance between where the wire plugs onto the fill probe and the boiler…see what the reading is. use initially the 200 ohm scale, then step it up to higher ranges.

To check for 2, wobble the fill probe wire while it’s attached, if the boiler starts to briefly fill, then that could be the problem.

For both tests, ensure the boiler water is below the fill probe….or you will get incorrect results.