My Pavoni has suddenly started having false pressure problems. The boiler turns off, I open the steam wand, nothing comes out but then the boiler starts up furiously again. The second time the boiler turns off and I open the wand everything seems up to pressure/temp and the machine behaves normally.

Any ideas? It started roughly a week ago and has happened every time I turn the machine on. I can't think of anything I did that would cause it.

Thanks.

Uhh, yeah...

So, here's the run down. I have been using Urnex Cafiza on my machine. Just put some in the boiler and then flush it out via the grouphead, repeat till clean. The machine never seems quite right after that. So, I removed the group, soaked it and the boiler in white vinegar for 15 mins and cleaned them with soap and water. In addition the intake pipe was slightly off center, so I straightened that as well.

Anyways, the machine works just fine now. I have no idea what the root cause was.

I'm sorry, which part or element is that?

The EP has a pseudo vacuum breaker in the boiler cap but I have had it stick on occasion. Take the cap off, turn it over, there is a rubber flapper with a spring behind it. Take a pencil or other blunt object and push the rubber plunger up and down. That will break it loose and work the valve. Most of the time that takes care of it, a soaking in some vinegar would not hurt either.

Thanks for the word. Interesting. Well, since I didn't (never!) clean that I doubt that was my problem.

I don't think the EP has a vacuum breaker in the cap. At least in the Millennium models.

It turns out the problem was a failing (failed!) pressurestat. I replaced it today with a MA-TER on the recommendation of Espresso D'Milan, a local repair shop started by the former head tech from Whole Latte Love.

I'll post a full "how to" later. The MA-TER doesn't quite fit but close enough. Works like a charm now with a ton of steam, a higher temp and water spurting out of the PF.

I blame (new) baby brain on not noticing the decline in performance. My reading indicates that many "my machine doesn't produce steam" issues are the pressurestat. Mine lasted about 3.5 years being used at least once a day since I bought it.