OK my Elektra A3 is leaking down into the drain tube ?

when I have the machine on or off the water pressure is basically kinda going through looks like a overflow hose down into the drain line ?
hope that makes sense to those that have the A3 or T1

where you hook up your drain line just before on the brass lines is a clear hose that is coming down to that and that is where the water is dripping in from
the hose comes from the back of where the group head sits
I replaced that wired coil once that is inside that chrome housing just below the group head the one you take off with the small 6mm or so size nuts ? but that is where the hose goes into that area and then goes down to the drain ?
looks like from the schematic the Solenoid valve pilot - 3 ways ? anyone have one of these fail ?


I am not so good at mechanics of espresso machines but good at mechanics so doing things myself is OK just not so familiar with the machines working and what parts do what exactly

thanks so much to any who can help

Honu, you may have this dealt with by now. It sounds like the 3 way solenoid valve needs cleaning. To take it off, you need to drop off the porta filter surround with three allen key-like studs. Take the front stainless plate off, remove the clear tube from the 3 way outlet and then unscrew the valve. It may need the locking nut above it to be loosened.

The valve can be easily disassembled and soaked and cleaned. That should do it, unless the valve is somehow broken. But a good clean would be the first step to try. After that if it is still a problem I'd look at the Parker solenoid switch. There is another one inside the machine that is identical and you could swap it to see if that is the problem. Hope that helps.

thanks will give this a try

not fixed yet using our other setup but want to get it fixed if I did not get a answer over the weekend was going to call up Jim Duke who got me going last time with parts

thanks again going to try that today

Jim finally got to doing it this morning and seemed to work
had deadlines come in had to get a ton of work done stayed up late got sick so could not get to it till today
AHHH LIFE


so no water passing through yet and hoping that was it
took out the o rings and dropped the parts in some descaler and was pretty bubbling seemed to be pretty junked up in that small brass valve area with the two seats and spring area

funny that thing is kinda like a first stage regulator ! (I taught scuba for 15 years) but the parts are amazing similar with a spring and valve and seats and such

thanks again really appreciate it