Weak group on Astoria Argenta SAE-II

[Psyd]

So, I haven't done anything to diagnose this yet except swap PF's (with the same LM baskets going with it) to make sure that it wasn't the basket or the PF for some reason. One of the groups runs really slow, as if I'd ground way too fine or overdosed the PF. I'm guessing that the screen is blocked up, or something is plugging up the works between the pump and the PF. The pump has to be fine, because the group next to it works fine; and the PF and baskets are fine because they also work fine in the other group. Any ideas before I start taking the group head apart?

[mogogear]

So, I haven't done anything to diagnose this yet except swap PF's (with the same LM baskets going with it) to make sure that it wasn't the basket or the PF for some reason. One of the groups runs really slow, as if I'd ground way too fine or overdosed the PF. I'm guessing that the screen is blocked up, or something is plugging up the works between the pump and the PF. The pump has to be fine, because the group next to it works fine; and the PF and baskets are fine because they also work fine in the other group. Any ideas before I start taking the group head apart?

So I guess you have backflushed really well with the offending side?

[Rocket Coffee]

Have you determined if the gicleur has some debris lodged in it? If so, a stiff, thin piece of wire should do the trick. A common staple straightend will work in a pinch.

[Psyd]

Yeah, I backflush fairly regularly. I do the PF wiggle every pull, and just cleaned the thing really well. Hopefully, it'll be fine. I'll check it tomorrow, and if that doesn't help, it's an unbent staple for me!
I'll post the results as soon as I get some.

[Psyd]

Well, it seems that I haven't cleaned the problem up. I may need to start taking things apart. Any advice before I go digging into the gicleur?

[OkcEspresso]

I have the single group version of this machine - basically. 17 mm socket will remove the big bolt on top of the group head. Inside you will find either a funky screen or some kind of steel wool looking cuff that goes over the gicleur. It's possible that the screen/filter is clogged also. You can buy a new gicleur and screen for next to nothing or you could just clean all the crap out. You could also just have a bunch of scale in the brew path. Look for telltale signs and then clean as needed.

Good luck,

Chris

[Psyd]

Hey, thanks. I suppose that its pretty straightforward, then. I have been fairly distracted by visiting friends and the fact that there is a perfectly good group right next to it (if I had a single group, I promise it would already be done before I even started this thread!) but Ill get to it before the Tamper Roadshow shows up at my door.