I'm a newbie at this, but I just picked a second ECM Giotto off ebay. I plan to use it for motorcyle club events. I have a strong background in troubleshooting electronic, and mechanical problems, and I'm getting a feel for these little machines. After the problems I had getting parts for the first one, it's up and running, and making great coffee. #2 came in the mail yesterday. The bolts legs as on the first one were bent, but also 3 out of 5 theaded inserts had popped out. It seems like a shipping thing, but I'm more inclined toward the seller dropping it in to the box. Anyway, Red Loctite is the cure for this problem, 5 new screws and it's up and running. The new machine appears to be brand new, there is no sign it was ever used.
There is a question here. When the machine heated up I had steam, and hot water, but no water out of the portafilter. I cracked the nut on the top of the group and let a little water and air escape. Then the group worked. Can the group get air bound? Or was it more likely some crud stuck in there?

Ted

Crud. If you check out your group you'll find that all the brew water goes through a teensy 0.6mm hole just under the nuts.

Alan