so from what you have said so far and as you are pretty much always using the front panel gauge when you say it does and doesn’t make pressure sometimes….this rules out a blockage in the flow control system.

Secondly the statement that it doesn’t make pressure sometimes until you do that thing with the lever, sort of doesn’t make sense, as even if the boiler level dropped a bit, it would pretty quickly fill…unless water was finding it’s way back to the tank somehow. This can’t happen when the machine is cold, it can only happen when the boiler is hot….so a while after it heats up.

Vibration pumps usually prime fine when dry and the inlet tube is dry, but you never know.

  • Check the tank tube to the pump is full…mine is a prototype, so the tubes are clear. I think production models used black tubing?
  • Check the tube isn’t kinked
  • Squeeze as much water as you can out of the tube, see if that recreates the problem?

Contact me

    DavecUK Tubes are braided stainless wrapped, so squeezing them isn’t really an option…and they definitely aren’t kinked.

    I’m saying that sometimes actuating the lever and pump with a blind filter doesnt make pressure on the front panel gauge. This is the issue and concern. This issue is when the machine is hot and has been on for 1-2 hours.

        MetalDave I’m saying that sometimes actuating the lever and pump with a blind filter doesnt make pressure on the front panel gauge. This is the issue and concern.

        To be clear… You say “it doesn’t make pressure on the front panel gauge”. What reading do you get on the group manometer when that happens? I’d expect the flow control device to be fully open for any pressure to register on the group gauge.

            MediumRoastSteam @DavecUK I answered this above:

            “I do have a group mounted pressure gauge. I have three positions - fully down, middle without pump activated, an fully up with the pump activated. Machine gauge rises to 9.5, flow gauge stays at 0.”

            Flow control gauge only shows pressure if there is a blind filter or puck under it, or if the flow control is closed.

            If you think this might be a faulty pump, I will keep an ear (and eye on that) - the problen did not duplicate itself again this morning, so hopefully this was an anomaly that has passed.

            Edit - to further clarify, when the problem occurrs, the group gauge just stalls at whatever resting pressure it is at - either zero or sometimes 2 bar.

                MetalDave Flow control gauge only shows pressure if there is a blind filter or puck under it, or if the flow control is closed.

                The flow control gauge on the group (let’s call it the group pressure gauge from now on) Should not show any pressure with the flow control closed, unless it’s against a blind filter and fully closed is not completely closed. With no portafilter the group gauge should never show pressure.

                MetalDave If you think this might be a faulty pump, I will keep an ear (and eye on that) - the problen did not duplicate itself again this morning, so hopefully this was an anomaly that has passed.

                I hope so, pumps can be intermittently faulty, but it’s rare. It could also be something blocking thew inlet side sometimes.

                Are you using a water filter attached to the end of the pump inlet hose?

                Contact me

                      DavecUK Man, I really do have covid brain. Yes, zero on the group pressure gauge. Meant on the front panel gauge.

                      I am using the stock water filter that the machine came with, which is on the pump inlet hose. I also have an in-tank softener as well, and the tank rubber gasket for the lid is intact.

                          5 days later

                          DavecUK The issue continues, and I have noticed that the pump sound changes when it finally makes pressure. I tried removing those and no luck. I’m going to try to get a video tomorow am. It kicks on with the smart plug, preheats for about 45min and then I try using it when I wake. I leave the flow control open and lift the lever all the way, it rockets up quickly to 9bar then falls down to 2 bar. If I put a backflush disc in or close the flow all the way and lift the lever fully, it runs and runs and the pressure just stays at 2bar. If I raise and lower the lever several times, the pump noise eventually becomes louder and it then makes pressure. ECM has not responded to my email at all and its been over a week. I don’t know what else to do, thoughts?

                              DavecUK Worked fine this morning. There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason to it…I’ll try agsain tomorrow am.

                                DavecUK Thanks Dave - I am in the USA, so is this the pump I want vs. UK?

                                  MetalDave Herein is where the problem arises, and, unfortunately - the distributor is less than helpful (And I still have not received a response from ECM…)

                                  You’ll need a 110V pump. Just be well aware that, if you replace the pump, it’s very likely you’ll void the warranty too. Appreciate the distributor not being helpful, but I’d at least try to get their consent in writing first.

                                      My very brief experience in sending emails to ECM was the same. But then, to my surprise, the retailer here in the UK phoned me up (they joined the dots) and the matter has been resolved - took months though.

                                      I believe ECM has bigger fish to fry as they say over here :-)

                                      Lelit on the other hand… Back in 2020, when I interacted with them, their customer support was excellent.

                                        MediumRoastSteam I heard ECM was reputable, I’m beginning to regret buying this - two dud machines in a row, and the company doesn’t respond - but if I fix it myself, warranty is void. Thats a pretty raw deal for almost $2k USD.

                                          In all honesty, your reseller should take more accountability and responsibility as the warranty is with them. The fact your reseller is unresponsive is far from ideal.

                                          It’s quite unfortunate that you had two dud machines - and I understand how frustrate you might be as you have technically expected ECM to be more of a premium brand. However, to be fair to ECM, the pump having an intermittent fault is a very difficult one to spot in QC.

                                            MediumRoastSteam Agreed, the first machines bad OPV seems like it would’ve been easier to catch. If you and/or @DavecUK can watch the video in the dropbox link, please let me know your thoughts on the issue, and if the pump seems suspect.