Hi everyone, my first post here at HB (many posts on CG). I just received a brand new Vibiemme Super. I started setting it up after 1st Line has already closed. Here's a couple of the things going on. I checked my OPV setting via a blind basket. The tiniest adjustments made huge differences from 6 bar to 14 (this is after the preinfusion stage). I finally landed as close to 9.75 or 10 as I could. However, pulling multiple tests in a row seem to have some fluctuations. I am wondering if I have a sticky OPV.
My next issue is even more disconcerting. My boiler pressure gauge read about .35 bar after a long warm up so I proceeded to adjust the pressurestat. I made numerous adjustments and nothing changed on the needle. Finally I made such a big adjustment that the boiler pressure relief valve started hissing and made a pop. Scared the living daylights out of me when it happened. The temperatures I am getting seem to be low as well. Out of the hot water wand I get 202-204F water measured in a Pavina glass with a K thermocouple. Any help you guys can offer before calling 1st line would be great. It was an arduous venture getting this machine into Canada...wire transfers...shipped to a UPS store in Niagara...picked it up today and went through customs etc. Returning it would be a real drag. Cheers,
Kaelin

buzzmccowan wrote:However, pulling multiple tests in a row seem to have some fluctuations. I am wondering if I have a sticky OPV.

Sure sounds like it. Fortunately it's a small item to mail out, should replacement be necessary.

buzzmccowan wrote:My boiler pressure gauge read about .35 bar after a long warm up so I proceeded to adjust the pressurestat. I made numerous adjustments and nothing changed on the needle.

Sounds like the brew pressure gauge is stuck. How long between cycles and do they increase/decrease when you adjust the pressurestat? What does the steam look like (can you post a video)? The Super is a strong steamer, it should be obvious if something is amiss.

That is unfortunate. I would give Jim at 1st line a call about the OPV.

If your boiler emergency release valve opened, you are over 1.8 bar. That is the pop point of the safety valve. Again, a sticky gauge is relative easy to replace. It simply snaps into the panel and screws into a T on the top of the boiler. Try tapping on the face of the gauge and see if the needle slowly moves up. I have seen them stick like that on other machines.

I wonder if it had a rough time in transit.

cannonfodder wrote:I wonder if it had a rough time in transit.

Good point! For starters, it's worth checking for kinks along the line to the gauge. If you're handy, installing a second (temporary) gauge is easy to rule out the pressurestat as the cause. As for the OPV, "swarf" (small bits of brass filings) can work their way into the confines of the OPV and cause erratic behavior. If that doesn't work, contact Jim for alternative diagnosis / replacement under warranty.

PS: CoffeeFest is this week, so you may not hear from online vendors as quickly...

Thanks Dan and Dave,

HB wrote:Sounds like the brew pressure gauge is stuck. How long between cycles and do they increase/decrease when you adjust the pressurestat? What does the steam look like (can you post a video)? The Super is a strong steamer, it should be obvious if something is amiss.

So, I've been idling the machine for a couple of hours. Upon heating up, the boiler relief valve was hissing again. I quickly turned the heating element off and adjusted the pressurestat. I waited an hour. The pressurestat cycled on every 1:20-1:22 seconds and stays on for about 12-13 seconds. I adjusted it 4 revolutions clockwise and it settled into cycling about every 1:25. O.K. went back counterclockwise 4 revolutions and it seemed to go every 1:19 - 1:22 again. Went another 3 revolutions counterclockwise and then it got strange. Now it is going every 1:37 1:40 but it also seems to stay on longer about 15-16 seconds. What is considered normal cycling time?

Based on Dave's tests with the hot water dispenser. I also ran 16 oz of water into a preheated cup and was reading about 203F on a K thermocouple.

Here is a video of the steaming, the quality isn't great and my camera doesn't do more than 1:25 clips but the sound is probably enough

[gvideo]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3666551501835587643[/gvideo]

No kinks in the boiler gauge line, and tapping it didn't make any difference. I'm wondering if it is clogged with some debris. As for shipping, the box that 1st Line packed it in seemed in good shape it was shipped ground from NJ to Niagara Falls. It certainly didn't look like it was dropped or anything. I'm not sure if 1st line tests them before they are shipped out or not. I'm going to call 1st Line this morning. Hopefully Jim is around.
Cheers,
Kaelin

The steam looks pretty good, maybe a little weak but not bad. I will do some fiddling with my machine when I get home today and see if I can get you some kind of baseline adjustment to try. Hopefully that will get you a starting point until the issue can be resolved.

Occasionally bad stuff happens to good machines. At least your issue is relatively minor as far as any repairs are concerned. Ten screws, one fitting and a half hour are all that is needed if the parts need replaced. The Super has lots of space inside the frame so it is easy to work on.

I have had machines come to my door that looked like they had been run over by a truck. I had a $10k+ server arrive via UPS that had been beaten up so hard the rack rails were bent and internal parts knocked out of sockets/slots once.

buzzmccowan wrote:Hi everyone, my first post here at HB (many posts on CG). I just received a brand new Vibiemme Super. I started setting it up after 1st Line has already closed. Here's a couple of the things going on. I checked my OPV setting via a blind basket. The tiniest adjustments made huge differences from 6 bar to 14 (this is after the preinfusion stage). I finally landed as close to 9.75 or 10 as I could. However, pulling multiple tests in a row seem to have some fluctuations. I am wondering if I have a sticky OPV.

First, don't panic. As others have stated, Jim is very busy but should be back at the shop early next week. if there is a problem he will take care of it.

Fluctuations on the brew pressure gage should only be taken as an indication of a problem if they are seen while using the blind filter. Changes from shot to shot during pulls can be caused by grind, tamp, distribution, etc.

If blind filter tests do reveal fluctuations from one test to the next, and you suspect the OPV. You can flush the valve out by unscrewing the adjustment screw of the OPV a few turns and running the brew function with the blind filter in place. This should push through a lot of water.

If that does not work, the valve can be partially disassembled. Unplug the machine and allow the machine to cool off and access the OPV. Removing the inner divider panel is also a good idea. Put a towel under the OPV and unscrew the adjustment screw and remove it. Clean the piston and spring with a lint-free rag. Look into the bore with a strong light and look for foreign matter or bits of whatever. Examine the piston as well. If you suspect that there is something in there, plug the machine in, install the blind filter, and turn the power switch to "I," wrap the towel around the OPV, and turn on the brew switch momentarily. Be extremely careful because water will GUSH through the OPV. This should clear any foreign matter. Turn the machine off, unplug it, and reassemble.

buzzmccowan wrote: My boiler pressure gauge read about .35 bar after a long warm up so I proceeded to adjust the pressurestat. I made numerous adjustments and nothing changed on the needle. Finally I made such a big adjustment that the boiler pressure relief valve started hissing and made a pop. The temperatures I am getting seem to be low as well. Out of the hot water wand I get 202-204F water measured in a Pavina glass with a K thermocouple. Returning it would be a real drag.

I have not checked my hot water in that way, but it sounds like the gage is bad. The temp of your hot water seems about correct- at least to say, close enough to verify that the water in the boiler is very close to where it should be and that the pressure in there is close to ideal. Closer than the gage indicates. Worst case, Jim can send you a new gage. A lot easier than spending the $$$ to ship it back!

Thanks Dave and Randy for all your help. This is my first foray into HX machines. I had a PID'd Silvia for 2 1/2 years.

So, as predicted Jim is at Coffee Fest. I emailed him and within a couple of hours 1st-Line called me back to let me know that they are shipping both a new OPV and pressure gauge out to me today! My first taste of the excellent customer service that everyone raves about with 1st Line.

Oddly enough, my pressure stat now is going every 2:22 sec or so and the pressure gauge is now reading in the green zone, at .6 bar. I may give your suggestion a try, Randy, regarding the OPV and see how that goes.

We have a new 2 week old baby girl in the house and two other girls, 5 and 3, so my wife isn't too keen on how much tinkering I do. Anyhow, I'll keep you posted on any other developments. I also should be receiving Eric's thermometer adapter kit soon which should give me a better idea about how the pressurestat is doing. Thanks again,
Kaelin

Hey Kaelin,

(Jason / Noonievut from coffeegeek here)

I happened on this post and noticed it was you and thought...nice machine...good job, but than I read about the possibility of a dud and felt bad for you (shouldn't happen to a fellow Canuck).

Congrats on the new baby girl...I believe you said that makes 3, I don't know how you find time to do anything other than a quick espresso session! Last 6 months with our first child I've been nagged about fiddling with espresso machines by my wife (to the point where I considered a superauto ) and I thought I had it bad.

I'm sure this will work out for you and enjoy your new machine...looks awesome.

P.S. I'm a cyclist and have been meaning to swing by Dundas with a friend of a friend who lives in Ancaster (I heard there are nice, hilly roads out there). Is it fine if we stop by and sample a shot from the Vibiemme? Just kidding...your wife would 'hurt' you.

Make it easier for you
do not replace the OPV valve body just replace the spring and if necessary the plunger,
do make sure that the spring inside the valve that you are getting is stiffer then the one you are removing
you can see the parts here

the spring is number 46.
Stefano