Hi, I bought the Rancilio Silvia V3 about 6 months ago and I'm having the same problem as described. I contacted the outfit I purchased it from and was advised the plunger was stuck. The tech sent an email w/detailed instructions how to fix. His solution worked...for about 3 days. Now I'm finding that I have to remove the front plate, disassemble the three-way valve, reassemble and replace...about every 3 days. Surely there is something else going on. For the record, when I remove the three-way valve, it doesn't appear to be stuck. It is in the "up" position and moves freely. Could this be an three-way valve design flaw?

Please help and thanks!


...split from Rancilio Silvia - pulling fast then slow by moderator...

More information...

The original problem was that the shot being pulled went from being "okay" to slowing to a trickle to not working at all while the entire water reservoir being emptied into the drain pan. Which led to the email from the tech I described. The shots drawn for the first couple of days are great...then they slow dramatically to a trickle (takes over 5 minutes to pull a shot).

Can you help?

To be certain, you mean the three-way valve pictured here and explained here?

Yes. That is it exactly.

Greetings Marcia -

Where in Maryland? - we have a big state.

Either you have:

a. loose connection at the solenoid end of the wires or where they end up. One goes to ground, another goes to the pump and the last goes to the brew switch.

b. A solenoid coil that has an intermittent open circuit (internally).

The solenoid valve (three-way valve) is the only source for water going to the drip tray on the original Silvia and, AFAIK, all of the following versions. Assuming you are within a reasonable distance to Silver Spring, we can always swap coils.

I'm in Columbia. I can get to Silver Spring very easily.

Eric-
Where are you in Silver Spring? Thanks!

1223 Woodside Pkwy - halfway between beltway and downtown Silver Spring.

301-587-5033

Eric,
Thank you so very, very much for taking the time today to teach me how to use my new Rancilio at your home-BEAUTIFUL neighborhood, BTW! I'm relieved my machine is working perfectly and now know the problems were user error . Very grateful for the lesson on how to brew the perfect shot....and the links to useful info.

You. Are. The. Greatest!!!

Marcia