While I was making espresso this morning, as it flowed into the cup, there was a bright audible flash to the right if the portafilter and then the machine died, No orange light, nothing.

What happened? Can I fix this machine?

Unplug the machine NOW! Then take off top cover/cup warmer tray and do a visual inspection. Inside. Use a bright flashlight. There should be some evidence of something that dramatic. If not, take off front panel behind and below the group (two screws) and examine the wires around and to the 3-way valve. Look for blackened areas, darkened wires, etc.

Once you find the problem then we can help fix it... Photos would help as well.

I looked in the machine. No obvious burns. Here are some photos.

How about the power cord and / or wall socket?

Right of the portafilter?
there is the grouphead solenoid (coil) and the wires going under the water reservoir for the pump
and as Ian pointedout the hole and holder where the power cords comes in
check the power cord where it get choked by the entry in the frame

Oops.

Checked out the wall plug, no power from house to plug.
Went to the circuit box and flipped the circuit breaker switch, power.
Will put machine back together, should work.

Thanks.

Maybe now I'll be brave enough to add a PID.

Yellowgroove wrote:Oops.

Checked out the wall plug, no power from house to plug.....

I would still be concerned about what caused the circuit breaker to be tripped. If this machine is not on a GFCI outlet, get one! This way you will be around to tell us the cause when you find it...

Something shorted out and that can be quite dangerous. You would be well served by putting in a GFI to protect yourself. Consider what happened a warning. Next time you could be fried or you could get to know your local fire department as you watch your house burn to the ground. There is something wrong somewhere be it internal to the machine, a pinched power cord or a bad wall socket.

I'm putting in a GFCI socket. Thanks much.

Your boiler has a blue tint to it. This means it has overheated significantly at least once. I would recommend to take extra care and always recharge the boiler immediately after steaming/frothing as well as flushing it upon each startup in case there are other users of the machine who may not be as careful.

Also, regarding the flash, inspect all wires, even the ones that run down to the pump for any worn off insulation. I repaired a Silvia with a similar experience. The wires that are zip-tied to the pump discharge happened to slide beneath the hose and rub against the metal frame each time espresso was brewed. After a couple years of this, the insulation rubbed off the white wire, which then made contact with the frame, causing a short. To see an example of this, attempt to brew or backflush with the top cover off. You will notice the hose move some as pressure builds because the pump has "floating" mounts to reduce vibration.