G’day all, I recently completed some works on my Duetto III and I’ve got two issues which I’d like to ask for advice on please? The works that have been done are: Motor replacement Pump replacement Boiler manometer replaced. E61 fully removed, cleaned (citric acid bath + wire brush) and rebuilt using re-build kit (new cam/pins) E61 gaskets replaced Brew boiler insulated Anti-vac valve replaced OPV fully removed, cleaned (citric acid bath + wire brush), silicone pad flipped, small amount of Moly applied Machine fully cleaned, bottom plates removed to allow for inspection/cleaning Currently I see no drips, leaks or weeping anywhere in the machine or the countertop. The machine is plumbed in and runs on softened and filtered water, no scale in the machine whatsoever. Issues noticed: Machine was completed Tuesday 13th, powered off, no issues. Wednesday 14th machine on automatically 0730 and was used for one drink, left on all day and then powered off early evening, no issues. checked machine around 2300, no issues found, drip tray dry. Machine powered up at 0730 this morning and when I checked it at 0750 I noticed the drip tray almost full with clean water, not sure where this has come from but assume it’s been dumped out the tube from the OPV. I noticed the boiler pressure was higher than I expected, cracking the steam wand immediately lowered this and it’s stayed normal. Machine has done three drinks today just fine. I would say that the backflush is weak, a few times now when unlocking the portafilter I’ve noticed pressure releasing. If I run the water tap I draw around 600ml, the steam is very wet, if I run the wand for 30 seconds I can get around quarter of a cup of water so that doesn’t feel right. Any pointers on what I might look at to figure out what to look at next? Many thanks!

If I go by exactly what you say you did, and assume you did it all correctly, when you talk about high pressure, I am again assuming you mean the steam boiler. Then the 2 faults are as shown below. There must be scale or debris caught in the auto fill valve, this isn’t fully closing and causing the service (steam) boiler to overfill. It’s why you’re getting wet steam. The overfill caused water so seep out of the vac valve or safety valve when it heated in the morning (water expansion). Presumably the boiler took a few days to over fill. The lower cam follower pin on the second valve down (working from the top of the group), requires perhaps ¼ of a turn on the pin to unscrew it and effectively make it longer, if that doesn’t do the trick try another ¼ of a turn.

Thanks Dave for the pointer, would that be the valve I’ve pointed to in the photo? And yes, the bigger steam boiler… Not the brew boiler. I don’t use the steam much but we tend to drink long blacks so use the hot water/steam boiler daily. Forgot to say, I also removed the fill sensor as per your previous advice and gave this a bath in citric acid then bushed it down so I don’t think the sensor is at fault…

malfunktion Thanks Dave for the pointer, would that be the valve I’ve pointed to in the photo? That’s the one. You can tryy taking it apart and cleaning it inside…usually works.

DavecUK Think you’re spot on, machine powered down at 1600, just got home and saw more water in the tray, checked the hose that’s connected from the anti-vac and can see it’s full of water, squeezing it sends more out the tube by the drip tray. Popped the safety valve off and can see water is pretty much brimming the steam boiler, I guess it’s never meant to go this far up… I’ve shut off the mains feed and will try cleaning out the valve tomorrow, otherwise if a new one is needed, what am I asking BB for as they don’t seem to list this as a Duetto part… Thanks for the tips, you’ve been an incredible font of knowledge, very much appreciated 🙏

DavecUK Hey Dave, Great tip on the back flush, that’s sorted now. Regards the solenoid, I figure it’s seen better days as there is quite a dent in the rubber as you can see here… So I’ve ordered a new part from BB but I can see that the old one has been sealed in with something… Am I good to use PTFE tape or better to use some sort of jointing compound? That said, I’ve got some Fernox Hawk White and I’m pretty sure it’s not drinking water use as I used it for central heating repair…

Alex Duetto III - Slight issues post works...

DavecUK

malfunktion If the new part is the same as the old. leave the bit in the machine already as is…it’s just metal and replace only the new parts. In fact if it’s the same, the solenoid coil won’t need replacing either. In effect you are just replacing the nucleus and spring.

The stuff in the photo is threadlocker and Izzo used to use super strong stuff, better to not disturb it if it’s not leaking.

malfunktion

DavecUK

Good shout, thanks, BB told me to order this (which looks pretty similar) so I hope I can take out the parts needed… https://bellabarista.co.uk/products/ceme-230v-2-way-solenoid-1-8f

We’ll see when it arrives tomorrow…

malfunktion

Evening…

so I ordered a value from BB and found a Sirai solenoid online elsewhere and figured I’d get this and replace the internals…

As you can see, the Sirai is quite a bit larger and not of the same spec as the original, the internal of both are incompatible with my original solenoid.

Took your advice Dave and cleaned up the original value, even though it looks worn/indented, it seems it’s holding up. I cleaned it Saturday morning and have seen no issues since or had water leaking into the drip tray.

Think I’ll send back the Sirai and keep the smaller unit from BB unless there’s a reason to keep the Sirai?

Thoughts?

thanks.

DavecUK

malfunktion Think I’ll send back the Sirai and keep the smaller unit from BB unless there’s a reason to keep the Sirai?

Thoughts?

thanks.

Not unless the sirai was so cheap it’s not worth returning.

John_Yossarian

DavecUK I doubt it, I do remember sourcing out a Sirai valve ten years ago and it was significantly more expensive than the rest. I still do not know th ereason.

malfunktion

The Sirai was £55 vs £23 for the CEME.

Figured perhaps the internals were the same on the Sirai which is the only reason I brought it so think I’ll return it and keep the CEME if the valve plays up.

I’ll find the fittings that match the current configuration so that if/when it needs replacing, it’ll be a bolt in to existing pipe work so I don’t need to bother releasing the thread lock…

Cheers both for the tips…

malfunktion

Morning @DavecUK
Wanted to send you a heartfelt thank you as your advice was spot on!

My Dueto III has been running perfectly since I repaired it, I cannot believe how quiet it is compared to what it was and you’ve certainly taught me how to keep an eye on it for the future.

Is there anyway I can send you a beer of three? How about a few coffees? 🙂

DavecUK

malfunktion Is there anyway I can send you a beer of three? How about a few coffees? 🙂

If you want to do anything do it for the community…simply use the donate option of the forum to set a small amount of Euros to the company who provide free hosting allowing me to keep this site going

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/854-donations-new-process

DavecUK

Just thought I would mention, as I probably didn’t explain what a Nucleus was. The photo below shows a Solenoid nucleus. Get the right one for your solenoid and you can keep using it for the next 50-70 years. It’s the only moving part that needs replacement every 10-20 years or so!

John_Yossarian

DavecUK Hi Dave, is this an Nucleus that would fit all (hopeful here) or most of the current solenoid brands?

DavecUK

John_Yossarian I don’t know?

John_Yossarian

DavecUK I am sorry, I have missed" “Get the right one for your solenoid” part.