I realize I'll probably figure this out in 5-10 minues when I get home. However, at the moment I'm stuck at work wondering what went wrong...

Here's what happened; This morning, my significant other turned the machine on about 5 minutes before I arrived on the scene. At this point, the pressure gauge was not quite in the green. Her parents were stopping by, and I saw that the water level was maybe 1/3-1/2 full (maybe not enough to produce 4-5 drinks!).... So, I opened up the steam wand and bled off false pressure/steam. Then I turned the machine off- so at this point the machine was hot, but had no pressure. Safely removed top cap (no pressure), added 2 cups of room-temperature filtered water, put the cap back on and turned the machine back on. Top cap is tight, lever is down, and steam wand is closed. 10 minutes later, power light is on, machine is hot, but still no pressure. At this point I had to leave for work, without engaging in my sacred morning espresso meditation ritual.

Did I break the heating element by adding cool water to a hot boiler?
Could it be that I popped the reset-able fuse? Power light still comes on. This is a pre-millenium professional, never looked to see if it does have a fuse.
Could it be the pressure stat?
Is it possible I added too much water, not allowing enough space for steam to build?

We've only had the machine for a few weeks and I LOVE it, so hopefully we're not destined for a repair......

well... 9hrs later I've checked for a fuse (none), turned on the machine and waited.... no heat or steam.

I saw one rubber plug on the base which appears to cover the pressurestat. Is it worth adjusting that to see if it resets anything? Anywhere else I should check to see if there's a fuse?

Anything else I can try or is it definitely the heating element?

post a pic of the bottom

The safe assumption is that something has changed.First test would be to check the water temperature in the boiler after it has heated up to see if it is approaching the boiling point. Once that is discovered you can explore further. I would not just start adjusting things until you can verify the problem. The should be a thermostat somewhere, but I do not know what that machine has. depending on its age there could be burnt contacts on the thermostat's switching mechanism. Until that is discovered I would not adjust it because it could cause an overheating problem that should do more damage...

Thanks for the responses- we've only had the machine a few weeks and it's pretty heartbreaking to have issues already... I'm really loving the lever experience otherwise. We purchased the machine used, but it was "as-new" and looked the part. So I'm sure it's not covered under warranty.

Here are some pictures- the machine is a pre-millenium La Pavoni Professional with the 49mm basket. Picture #1 pretty much says it all- thats as far as the pressure gauge is reading after being on any amount of time. The base is not hot to touch at all- room temperature. Lever down, top cap and steam wand closed.

There seems to be one fastener under the sticker on the base. The sticker being there is the only reason I haven't removed the plastic base cover yet- maybe I should just do it. There was one rubber plug in the base, which covers a brass flat-head screw adjustment- I gather this is the pressurestat (hole below sticker in picture #3). That's it. From what I read, a few Pavoni Pro's have fuses, but most don't- is that correct?

I do have a great local repair shop, I guess I'll take it there tomorrow AM if I can't make any progress tonight. Just kinda stings to consider a potentially expensive repair 2 weeks into this machine. I am mechanically inclined, so if there's anything work trying inside, I'm up for it.

F.M. wrote:Did I break the heating element by adding cool water to a hot boiler?
Could it be that I popped the reset-able fuse? Power light still comes on. This is a pre-millenium professional, never looked to see if it does have a fuse.

Cool water could rupture a hot heating element, so for future reference, don't.
The "prees" i've seen have either the brown fuse or a fusable link. If the fuse was blown, you wouldn't get a power light. Get a continuity tester and test the heating element.

F.M. wrote:There seems to be one fastener under the sticker on the base. The sticker being there is the only reason I haven't removed the plastic base cover yet- maybe I should just do it.

If you are at all comfortable with using tools, do it. There is a lot of Pavoni repair help on this site, some of it professional, (Stefano and Orphan) and they have the parts. Once you get into to it, it's pretty simple.

You might want to consider installing all new seals and gaskets while you're at it.

Thanks for the links, very cool.

After my last post it occurred to me that the screw under the drip tray was probably what secured the base.... sure enough!

I don't see much going on here to break down. Maybe the thermofuse on the bottom of the boiler? But I fear your right, mixing cool water with hot may have been the culprit. An expensive lesson learned the hard way! I'm going to swing it by the excellent local repair shop tomorrow and see what they say.

F.M. wrote:Here are some pictures- the machine is a pre-millenium La Pavoni Professional with the 49mm basket. Picture #1 pretty much says it all- thats as far as the pressure gauge is reading after being on any amount of time. The base is not hot to touch at all- room temperature. Lever down, top cap and steam wand closed.

After looking closely at the picture I realize, if it has the 49mm group, (and it looks like it does), then it was built during the transition from pre to millennium because the body is all Millennium, (taller base, longer cap, plastic encased sight glass, removable wand, single switch, etc.). This will make a difference when ordering parts, especially the heating element and the switch. See the attached thread for more details:

Identifying year of La Pavoni Europiccola Millenium

yeah it does have a 49mm basket.. so that's interesting, I have a "transition year"!

Just a quick update, I dropped it off today at my most excellent local espresso repair shop, and they did a quick electrical check- the heating element checked out fine! I was pleased to hear that. Also, given that the machine had only been on a few moments and wasn't totally warmed up, they didn't think it was likely that adding room-temp water had anything to do with it. So... I guess that leaves wiring & switch? That's as far as we got, I'll know more next week. Thanks again everybody for helping out another lever newbie.

Fixed!
Turns out it was the thermofuse.... Home Espresso Repair in Seattle took great care of me- replaced the thermofuse with a re-settable button type, plus they de-calcified the machine and passed on some fresh beans.

Can't say enough good things about this shop- they are friendly, total espresso aficionados and complete lever experts.

Looking forward to pressing tomorrow AM!