Elektra Expansion Valve

Elektra1994mini

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

DavecUK

If the expansion valve is streaming water when you start the brew cycle, there can be only 2 reasons.

the pump is producing more pressure than the expansion valve release pressure
the expansion valve release pressure is set too low

The portafilter pressure gauge will tell you which one it is.

However what would be immensely helpful in solving your problem is a photo of your specific machine (there were variants). Also a photo of the specific expansion valve (as being stamped 12 bar implies it’s factory set and not easily adjustable.

Assumptions we make now, simply cause you more work and expenditure

Elektra1994mini

The expansion valve has a set screw at the outlet side.

DavecUK

It’s a fairly straight forward machine, unless the bypass has jammed on the pump, it’s unlikely to be the problem. When you get the portafilter pressure gauge, that should tell you what’s going on. Might well be the expansion valve has not been set to 12 bar…

Elektra1994mini

Thank you for your prompt reply. I will post my Portafilter Pressure gauge results when I receive it in the mail so that others on this forum can take note.

Regarding the boiler solenoid, (I believe they call it a 2-way valve) that had some residual water in it, I’m thinking, shouldn’t it be dry? It did leak a little from the solenoid O ring which I will be replacing, but, water shouldn’t be going uphill into the valve area. The plunger is what is exposed to the water. Any thoughts?

Mattius2

Hi I’ve got the larger T1 version this machine.

Are you getting any water though the group at all when you hit brew or 100% though the OPV?

Frank at Ferrari Espresso in Wales is a specialist in Elektras and very helpful if you call him

Elektra1994mini

Mattius2

I can pull a shot but finding the puck is a bit wet at the top ever since the OPV valve was streaming water as well. I also did a complete cleaning of the entire grouphead. Looks practically new! This has happened before in the lifetime of my espresso machine but, I wasn’t as curious than I am now as to what the issue was and sent it in to a repair shop.

Mattius2

Elektra1994mini

Odd. I’ve never cracked the OPV /expansion open ever.

Once the pump pressurises the HX circuit not sure why you would get flow from puck and OPV

Twotone2

I’ve the T1 too, great machines, I’d never part with mine.

I’m sure it will be a simple fix OP those Elektra machines are built like tanks.

Mine’s a 2007 manufactured machine, I bought it from a guy in the north of England who was selling everything as he’d had personal issues, he was an Elektra fanatic, think he had four coffee machines and the tamper for the angel coffee machine, amazing looking thing.

He apparently bought it from a solicitor’s office back in 2012, they were the original owners and hadn’t used it in years then he sort of put it into storage for years too I bought in 2021.

Actually it was @dfk41 who put me onto the machine as he’d seen it advertised locally on Gumtree I think it was.

Twotone2

BTW, espresso services in Govan (Glasgow) repair the machines and they carry most parts as stock.