Reduced flow rate from Elektra Semiautomatica

#1: Post by **Dogshot** » May 11th, 2015, 6:16 pm

I'm not certain whether there was a sudden drop in flow rate a few days ago, or whether the flow dropped to a point where it became noticeable to me, but my Semiautomatica now takes about 45 seconds to deliver 125ml of water (with no pf on the group). My pump is only about 2 months old, and I just descaled the brew path. Could my pump be dying again? Any other suggestions as to what might be causing my problem?

#2: Post by **another_jim** » May 11th, 2015, 9:24 pm

There's a jet and filter at the rear of the group. Might be worth checking out.

May 12th, 2015, 8:54 am

Thanks, Jim. I guess it's time to disassemble the group. If I can rule out the water path from the boiler to the pf, then it must be either the pump or the water path from the pump to the boiler. I guess it could also be a crack in the HX, in which case I would be getting water flow into the boiler while brewing.

Mark

#4: Post by **gashuebr** » May 16th, 2015, 10:18 am

Not to be argumentative, but I'm pretty sure there isn't a filter in the group to protect the gigleur from becoming obstructed with debris. None is shown on the semi's parts breakdown and I certainly don't have one in my semi (circa 2006). My T1 has a filter in the group before the gigleur, but not the semi.

Given the gigleur orifice is quite small it can easily become obstructed. Check it for obstruction. Item 12 in the semi's parts breakdown illustration.

#5: Post by **another_jim** » May 16th, 2015, 5:15 pm

gashuebr wrote:Not to be argumentative, but I'm pretty sure there isn't a filter in the group to protect the gigleur from becoming obstructed.

Mine has a little brass mesh at one end, the restriction at the other, all one piece. The model is from around 2005.

May 23rd, 2015, 8:21 am

Thanks again for the suggestions. I've been digging around my Semiautomatica, but I have not found the jet and filter. I have not unscrewed the bolt listed as part 17 in the diagram - is the jet and filter behind this bolt?

#7: Post by **another_jim** » May 23rd, 2015, 3:27 pm

Part 19 is the Jet.

May 25th, 2015, 2:46 pm

Thanks, Jim! Cleaning the gicleur and the space around it solved my flow problem. When I removed the large bolt, some sludgy water came out. I cleaned the gicleur and the surrounding space, although the gicleur looked pretty clean when I pulled it from the group. I think my unit was manufactured in 2008 or 2009, and there was no filter.

I'm really pleased to be up and running again, and I really appreciate the help.

#9: Post by **another_jim** » May 25th, 2015, 5:55 pm

Interesting. There was another poster who solved a similar problem just be loosening the screw. It looks like the cavity getting dirty, rather than the gicleur getting blocked, is the culprit.