Vibiemme DoubleDomo brew pressure issue

#1: Post by **Aaron** » August 2nd, 2015, 7:44 am

I need some help diagnosing what is going on with my espresso machine. I have an older, version 2 I think, Vibiemme DoubleDomo. After the machine is on for an extended period of time, espresso boiler only, the pressure is very low. When I lift the lever to activate the pump I get lots of steam coming out of the group head instead of water for several seconds. This looks similar to the flash boiled water from an HX. Does anybody have any idea what's going on and what part I need to replace to get this back to normal?

#2: Post by **Randy G.** » August 2nd, 2015, 10:31 am

The brew boiler has no "autofill" in that it is always 100% filled (or at least is supposed to be). Since you get it to fill when flushing the steam out that means that water is leaving the boiler for some reason. It could be a slow leak in the group that vaporizes and doesn't drip (or drips unseen into the drip tray), through the fill valve because of a bad anti-backflow valve, etc. Eric will have more specifics as to the plumbing.

Have you opened it up to see? Maybe check the two thermosyphon "HX" pipes on the back of the group and the connections on the boiler for signs of scale buildup indicating the location of a slow leak. Have you ever overhauled the group to check the condition of, or replaced the valve seals?

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #3: Post by **erics** » August 2nd, 2015, 10:33 am

What does the PID display read before you lift the lever ?

Pressure in the espresso (brew boiler) boiler is meaningless unless you are actually brewing. It "sounds" like something is amiss with the temperature sensor in the brew boiler or,

, the PID unit itself.

August 2nd, 2015, 1:30 pm

The PID display reads 233 degrees as is normal and stays the same temp when I lift the lever. The espresso pressure gauge jumps up to the correct pressure range when I lift the lever. I haven't noticed any leaking around the machine, but I haven't taken the cover off recently to check inside for anything not normal. I recently changed the group seal where the portafilter engages, but I haven't changed any other seals or valves.

August 2nd, 2015, 1:45 pm

I removed the cover and there are no signs of leaking inside.

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #6: Post by **erics** » August 2nd, 2015, 2:22 pm

Just flush about 8 to 12 ounces of water from the grouphead. Does the PID display drop several degrees?

#7: Post by **Randy G.** » August 2nd, 2015, 2:49 pm

Aaron wrote:The PID display reads 233 degrees as is normal and stays the same temp when I lift the lever.

233?

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #8: Post by **erics** » August 2nd, 2015, 2:58 pm

Randy caught something I did not. Unless you have set your PID offset to "0" , your PID display should be set to 200 or thereabouts. A very good manual for the Vibiemme DB is here: http://www.espressocare.com/information ... nformation .

#9: Post by **pizzaman383** » August 2nd, 2015, 4:15 pm

VBM DDv2 does not have an offset in the PID.

#10: Post by **Randy G.** » August 2nd, 2015, 4:33 pm

erics wrote:Randy caught something I did not. Unless you have set your PID offset to "0" , your PID display should be set to 200 or thereabouts. A very good manual for the Vibiemme DB is here: http://www.espressocare.com/information ... nformation .

Eric.. You doing standup comedy now?

"Vibiemme Double Boiler 2011 Manual ( Courtesy of 1st-line, made by Frcn Digital with Stefano's Espresso Care collaboration)"
That's me... I wrote that manual. But that is the later version that does have the offset.
Aaron, for more detail on the E-61 group, see this article on my website:
How-To 19 - Overhauling and Lubricating the E-61 Group