I’m hoping someone could possibly guide me as to why, all of a sudden, my espresso machine’s expansion valve (OPV) is streaming with water when I press the brew cycle.
I am the original owner of a 1994 Elektra Art A3 Mini, La Deliziosa Italian espresso machine.
· I have metered the group solenoid at 420 Ohms and the boiler solenoid at 367 Ohms. Both solenoids are the Parker type coil: ZB09, 110-120V, 60Hz, 9W, 100% ED – IP65.
· I have replaced the Expansion Valve (issue still persists).
· I have cleaned the group head (starting from the upper Heat Exchanger water inlet).
· I have cleaned the group solenoid and valve which has the ruby viton seal pad.
· I have cleaned the boiler solenoid and valve which has the black pad. One thing I did notice that it had water residue inside the solenoid. I will replace the round seal otherwise, hard to imagine how water can get up in there. Mystery…
The boiler gauge (the only gauge on the machine) reads in the green between 1 -1.25 bar. I haven’t tried to adjust the expansion valve which is stamped at 12 Bar. I have on order a Portafilter Pressure and Temperature Gauge Kit and maybe the rotary vane pump needs readjusting?
Anyhow, I am at a loss and maybe someone may have encountered this and found the reason why.
Thanks, Michael