ACS Minima - Suddendly Pressure Below 2bar

FrancescoFur

Hi everyone!

I’ve searched through other discussions but couldn’t find a problem similar to mine. Apologies if I missed it!

The issue: I’ve had my ACS Minima for almost three years without any problems. However, this morning, while making coffee, the pressure wouldn’t go above 2 bar. Normally, it’s consistently between 8 and 10 bar.

I repeated the process twice, but the pressure still remains at 2 bar.

Could you help me understand what might be causing this issue and how I can try to fix it? I’m happy to attempt the repair myself if possible.

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Francesco

DavecUK

FrancescoFur The issue: I’ve had my ACS Minima for almost three years without any problems. However, this morning, while making coffee, the pressure wouldn’t go above 2 bar. Normally, it’s consistently between 8 and 10 bar.

I repeated the process twice, but the pressure still remains at 2 bar.

Some questions:

There is a return tube to the tank, when you put a blind filter in the group and pull a shot, is lots of water coming through it?
If the solenoid to the service boiler is leaking by, it could be filling the service boiler?
Is water gushing into the drip tray?
when did you last descale it?
Is the pump making an odd sound?
Is it able to draw water properly, no kink in feed tube from tank?

Can you make a video in YouTube (unlisted) and paste the link here.

FrancescoFur

Thank you Dave for your response. Here below the answers:

There is a return tube to the tank, when you put a blind filter in the group and pull a shot, is lots of water coming through it? If you mean the tube attached to the expansion valve then: the answer is no, there is no water going through this tube
If the solenoid to the service boiler is leaking by, it could be filling the service boiler? I do not have visible evidence of it (see video)
Is water gushing into the drip tray? Yes, a good amount (see in the video)
when did you last descale it? This summer in July.
Is the pump making an odd sound? Yes, but not too loud (see in the video)
Is it able to draw water properly, no kink in feed tube from tank? Not that I can notice (see in the video)

Video:

Let me know If I need to make videos of particular details, happy to do it!

DavecUK

I meant do the video with a shot pulled against a blind filter. Show the pressure gauge.

Then check what’s coming out of the tube to the tank from the expansion valve.

The water coming into the drip tray from the vent is normal, UI wanted to know if it was coming out of the vent during the shot…which it doesn’t appear to be.

The machines gauge on the group won’t make any pressure out of an open portafilter

FrancescoFur

DavecUK

***I meant do the video with a shot pulled against a blind filter. Show the pressure gauge: ***apologies, I misunderstood. I did that…and the pressure was 7 bar. So I watched your video on pressure adjustment and I did the following:

Regulated the expansion valves little by little until the pressure with blid filer reached 10 bar (Video)
Tried to run a normal coffee shot and the pressure was at 8 bar (Video)

I believe then that it was a matter of regulation of the expansion valve.

Anyhow: many thanks for your support.

Francesco

MediumRoastSteam

FrancescoFur - Salve!… That shot of yours… What’s going on? You are expected to see the coffee coming out of the PF spouts after approx. 8 seconds. Yours come out straight away. You should grind finer :-)

Are you using pre-ground coffee?