Hello,

Lately my Quickmill Andrea has been acting strange.

When I start steaming milk after maybe 5 seconds the pump starts to run.
Also the brew pressure drops to zero at the same time.
When I draw hot water from the tap the pump starts to run after I've drawn maybe half a glass of water.

I also notice that during the day the pump runs for a few seconds quite often.Two times each hour at least.

Does anybody have a clue what to look for?

Thanks

When I start steaming milk after maybe 5 seconds the pump starts to run.
Also the brew pressure drops to zero at the same time.
When I draw hot water from the tap the pump starts to run after I've drawn maybe half a glass of water.

Having the pump run during steaming is NOT abnormal and, most certainly, the pump will run after activity from the hot water tap - it is reacting to a change in the boiler's water level. The reading on the brew pressure gage is only meaningful when you are actually brewing.

It sure seems as though you have a small leak - probably, and hopefully, from the vacuum breaker valve.

I just put the lid on the Andrea.
I heard a hissing sound from the valve on top of the boiler.There's a little cup around it.All rust and calcium.
Cleaned the rust up and put a wrench on the valve but there's no way I can get it loose.I guess it's normal righthand thread?Anyway put it together and leave it like that for now.But that valve needs some work.

Could that little leak be the cause of my pump engaging every once in a while?

Thanks
Alf

Yes, the little leak is the problem.



All threads are typical RH threads. Item 2 will remain in the boiler - it is a job to loosen it without the use of an ADJUSTABLE impact wrench and a GOOD counterhold on the boiler itself. Item 4 is not necessarily easy considering the buildup you may have but it is far easier than #2.

Thanks Eric.I just ordered a valve with a silicon hose so I can let the water flow into the drip bowl.
I don't know if they used Loctite at the Quickmill factory but it sure feels like it.
I have to get that boiler fixed somehow when I apply torque on that valve.

Should I apply some Loctite or sealer on the thread of the new valve?

Thanks again
Alf

Just swap out parts 1, 3, & 4. Do not apply Loctite to the threads.

erics wrote: but it is far easier that #2.

I was unlucky to have a breaker looking like this:



It was directly attached to the boiler and it took several tries and two people to get it off.

The way it looked before:



The way it should have been from the beginning:



But the upside of all this is that the new vacuum breaker is easily removable - making descaling the boiler a no-brainer with a hose and a funnel.

Yep.That's the one I have.Takes one slip of the 19 mm socket and I'm in deep trouble.Have had that happen to a head bolt of my Harley.

The tool that worked for me was the "cross wrench". It allowed me to simultaneously push from above (leaning over it) and apply even and steady torque with both hands. At the same time the machine was positioned so that it didn't slide on the floor and an other person was applying counter torque to the boiler.

Ok.This is turning out to be a nightmare for me.

Two days ago my Andrea blew all the fuses in the house when I started her up in the morning.
After some diagnostics I found the High Temp.reset switch had shortened out.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156...1290112316

Ordered a new one and wanted to install the new vacuum breaker that came in ysterday.That sucker didn't want to come loose whaever I tried.
So took the whole machine to the garage and tool the old impact out of the box.What's good enough for my old Harley is good enough for an espressomachine.Got the old valve out and put the new one in.The guy where I ordered it said I had to put some threadlock on it but as Eric advised I haven't done that.
Put her back together and started her up.Mayhem all over.Waterleak!
Turned out that I broke the thin tube that goes to the boiler gauge.And I really really tried to avoid this.

So now I have to wait again for a new copper tubing.Hope that's all I broke.
Like I said.A nightmare.