I've had an Anita for a couple of months and had a vapor lock issue identified by CC as a stuck vacuum breaker. They were very helpful and supplied a new one. I removed the top of the old valve, but the lower piece is not budging, and of course, my wife wants her latte right *now*.

Is it a reverse thread?

Also, my brew pressure intermittently jumps up and down wildly when I'm pulling a shot, and the pump is not only noisy as hell, but there is a rattling sound -- just doesn't sound right, and is much noisier than when I bought the machine, just a couple of months ago. Maybe it is all related to the vacuum breaker. Any thoughts?

Thanks
Jeff

kildes wrote:...had a vapor lock issue identified by CC as a stuck vacuum breaker... my wife wants her latte right *now*.

Open the steam wand valve, that will release the false pressure.

kildes wrote:Also, my brew pressure intermittently jumps up and down wildly... Maybe it is all related to the vacuum breaker. Any thoughts?

My bet is the gauge dance is caused by a partially blocked dampening coil, but defer to Chris' Coffee for diagnosis. The noise could be a lot of things; the over-pressure valve can be loud. Or just parts vibrating/resonating (they don't call it a "vibratory pump" for nothing).

HB wrote:Open the steam wand valve, that will release the false pressure.

Hi Dan, I've been doing just that, every morning, for the last month. Turn the machine on, wait 40 min, open steam wand valve, pfffffft for 5 seconds, steam runs out immediately, then close steam wand valve, wait 10-15 min, cooling flush, wait, pull a shot. Classic vapor lock. I'm hoping that the replacement of the vacuum breaker valve will eliminate the pfffft step.

Jeff

erics wrote:Just exchange "tops" - that lower portion is, as you have found, sorta set in "concrete." No sealer is required.

Thanks Eric, to be clear, I was referring to the 2 brass pieces that comprise the vacuum breaker valve, the lower piece holding the piston. I was not referring to whatever piece is welded to the tank. Are you suggesting that I set aside the lower portion of the new vacuum breaker and just screw the upper portion down onto the old vacuum breaker, retaining the old piston (which was sticking)?

Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm a newbie.
Jeff

Eric, that is great to know. Thanks!

Jeff