No, I mean that as a pump thingy.



The motor (the thing you pointed to) is fine, rotates freely and without problems. I will then clean the corrosion now, since it is identified.

What is the Czech word for "calcification?"

Ug, is that ugly. Time for a new pump.

Marshall wrote:What is the Czech word for "calcification?"

It is "vápenatění".

cannonfodder wrote:Ug, is that ugly. Time for a new pump.

Pump? That golden block? Do you think it is broken? What suggested that?

And here is another photo, of the pump itself, the part that is connected to the motor. When I switched the brew on, and the water was flowing through it, the pin on the pump (brass (golden) thing) did not rotate by itself, and the amount of finger-power I had to apply to make it move at least a quarter of a rotation—was the same as in the case of a switched off "brew" button. What does it mean? Should the pin in the pump move freely, when the pump is OK? Thank you.

The pump, the big brass thing with the water lines attached, should turn relatively freely by hand if you turn that shaft. The calcification in the motor means the pump seals are leaking. Even if the pump shaft turned with ease using finger pressure it would still need replaced or rebuilt to get rid of the water leak.

The pump motor should turn even easier by hand. You should be able to grab the drive shaft and spin it with your fingers. It should spin freely and make a few revolutions once you let go after giving it a quick twist with your fingers. If either pump or motor grinds when you turn it, or takes substantial force to twist, it will also need some work.

Those pumps and motors can be rebuilt. The pump could be serviced by a local espresso machine repair shop or restaurant beverage supply house. Soda machines use similar pumps to drive them, they could probably rebuild the pump and replace the gaskets/bearings if the impeller is still in good shape. They may even be able to rebuild the motor which may just need new bearings. Or find a local electric motor service facility and they can rebuild it. A rebuild will be a fraction of the replace cost which would be a few hundred $$, if both units need replaced. The pump itself definitely needs a rebuild to fix the leaking water issue.

Yes, it should move freely. You need a new or rebuilt pump, period.

Here in the US, it is ABOUT $75 rebuilt and ABOUT $135 new. You will also need two new copper sealing washers for the 3/8" BSPP adaptors that the hoses connect to - minor expense.

cannonfodder wrote:The pump, the big brass thing with the water lines attached, should turn relatively freely by hand if you turn that shaft. The calcification in the motor means the pump seals are leaking. Even if the pump shaft turned with ease using finger pressure it would still need replaced or rebuilt to get rid of the water leak.
The pump motor should turn even easier by hand. You should be able to grab the drive shaft and spin it with your fingers. It should spin freely and make a few revolutions once you let go after giving it a quick twist with your fingers. If either pump or motor grinds when you turn it, or takes substantial force to twist, it will also need some work.
Those pumps and motors can be rebuilt. The pump could be serviced by a local espresso machine repair shop or restaurant beverage supply house. Soda machines use similar pumps to drive them, they could probably rebuild the pump and replace the gaskets/bearings if the impeller is still in good shape. They may even be able to rebuild the motor which may just need new bearings. Or find a local electric motor service facility and they can rebuild it. A rebuild will be a fraction of the replace cost which would be a few hundred $$, if both units need replaced. The pump itself definitely needs a rebuild to fix the leaking water issue.

Thank you for the expansive answer, now everything is clear to me. I see I will have a busy day tomorrow, searching for the rebuilders. I have cleaned the motor area with a toothbrush now. And yes, the drive shaft spins freely, without problems. And now I finally understand Marshall's question about calcification.

erics wrote:Yes, it should move freely. You need a new or rebuilt pump, period.
Here in the US, it is ABOUT $75 rebuilt and ABOUT $135 new. You will also need two new copper sealing washers for the 3/8" BSPP adaptors that the hoses connect to - minor expense.

Thank you very much for the confirmation and a warning about the copper sealings.

2 all: I am very happy that with all your kind help, we were able to arrive to the source of the low pressure problem. I will try to find the rebuilders or shop around for the new pump then.

I recently (it arrived today actually) ordered a new pump directly from Fluid-O-Tech and it was about 40% less than ordering it from anywhere else. I thought about rebuilding the procon in it but for $79 I just got a new one. My Astoria sat for a year so the pump was frozen...I had to turn the shaft with a pair of pliers. I noticed the other day that it was leaking a little so I am replacing it. Vad - I know you are not in the US but you may want to call Shawn http://www.fluid-o-tech.com/contactus.html to and he may be able to point you in the right direction.

karmacafe wrote:I recently (it arrived today actually) ordered a new pump directly from Fluid-O-Tech and it was about 40% less than ordering it from anywhere else. I thought about rebuilding the procon in it but for $79 I just got a new one. My Astoria sat for a year so the pump was frozen...I had to turn the shaft with a pair of pliers. I noticed the other day that it was leaking a little so I am replacing it. Vad - I know you are not in the US but you may want to call Shawn http://www.fluid-o-tech.com/contactus.html to and he may be able to point you in the right direction.

I tried to find an email for the italian or european fluidotech guys, but no luck—they only have some form (and it does not give any confirmation on whether it is working). I will write an email to Shawn then, to have more options. I have found only one pump rebuilder in my area, and tomorrow I will ask him about pricing and timeframe. Maybe it will be better to buy a new one. // Exactly, the pump was sitting for a year in my case too. // Thank you for your input, I very much appreciate it.

Yes, Shawn is very knowledgeable but . . . why not just go to their website: http://www.fluid-o-tech.com/ and on the left hand side you will see a link to the F-O-T website in Italy.

Grab any numbers you can off your existing pump (it is probably an 051) and see if they have a "factory exchange" program.

erics wrote:Yes, Shawn is very knowledgeable but . . . why not just go to their website: http://www.fluid-o-tech.com/ and on the left hand side you will see a link to the F-O-T website in Italy.
Grab any numbers you can off your existing pump (it is probably an 051) and see if they have a "factory exchange" program.

I have contacted the pump service here, and they said they don't do this brand, I am also waiting for a reply from the second service, and while I wait for emails from three sellers (Shawn including) I will now call to Italy—to explore all the possibilities.
Thank you for your valuable input.

EDIT: and the other (last) pump service now said they don't do them. So it looks like I have to buy a new one. So the waiting for the pricing quotations (from various shops and Italy dealer) continues.

Vad wrote:So it looks like I have to buy a new one

This sounds like an opportunity to learn about pumps. You can now feel comfortable opening this one up to see why it isn't working too well. Who knows, you may find a small issue that you can solve!
Nothing makes you more aware of what kind of care a piece of kit takes better than investigating a new one, and now you have a carte blanc. Since you have to buy a new one, there is no harm done of you completely destroy this one trying to fix it.
It's the technical version of "unexpected travel suggestions (being) dance lessons from God".

Vonnegut

Sure thing I will take it apart, after I install a new one With this I can at least steam milk, so I need it for now. I am looking forward to a new one, when I will have real 9 bar power, instead of 3 bar I had before.

So now I have a new pump in front of me. Will install it now. Fingers crossed

EDIT1: Well, I dismantled the old one, and found out that I could not unscrew the adaptors on it, that I do not have the instruments (did not notice their absence). So I figured I would screw around with the old pump. So I began to screw that adjustment screw out, then in, to the maximum. Then something inside clicked slightly. Strange, I said to myself. Then I continued to vigorously turn the knob by hand. Poured some water inside and noticed, that suddenly, the water level in the pump began to react to my knob turns. Wow. Maybe I unstuck something inside, that got stuck during one year of pump's idle state? I mounted the pump back and YES, IT BEGAN WORKING! Yowzaaa!

I have now used the gauge, and setup the pressure to be 9-9,5 bars, with a flow of water 60 ml in 24 seconds. At least it is now working and I can play with it.

As for the new pump, the seller agreed to take it back and return the money. So overall, a week of frustration, but all well that ends swell.

Thank you all for your help in identifying a problem and for your suggestions.

EDIT2: as for the leak, I will check it in a month, and see whether it is there and if it is significant. If yes, then I will change the pump for a new one.

Vad wrote:So I figured I would screw around with the old pump... ...and YES, IT BEGAN WORKING!

Who'da thunk it?

Psyd wrote:This sounds like an opportunity to learn about pumps. You can now feel comfortable opening this one up to see why it isn't working too well. Who knows, you may find a small issue that you can solve!

Oh. Yeah, hunh?

Glad you messed with it, glad it worked out, hope it holds!

2 Psyd: Thank you. Yes, now I finally made a normal coffee under normal pressure 9 bar.

Vad wrote:Psyd: Thank you.

You're buying the beer when I make to to the Czech Republic... ; >