Rancilio Audrey - Steam won't stop.

Equipment doesn't work? Troubleshooting? If you're handy, members can help.
obem
Posts: 1
Joined: 2 years ago

#1: Post by obem »

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to this forum and I first apologise for my English as it got a bit rusty.
I found this forum because I desperately need help to fix my dear Rancilio Audrey from 1988.
The Audrey is pretty much the same as a Silvia.
Here is a diagram: http://www.astramgroup.com/EspressoMach ... RA1501.htm

I have some overheating/overpressure issues with my machine. It won't stop making steam, as if the steam switch was always on.
But the pump works, the brew water is hot and is coming out nicely.

I took off the steam switch, and replaced the 3 thermostats. Even the pump is brand new.
And it's still the same.

Here is a video that might be a better explanation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo7JQV_Q3vo

I hope it make sense to you, and thanks for the help.

Olivier.

JRising
Team HB
Posts: 3667
Joined: 5 years ago

#2: Post by JRising »

We can jump to the conclusion that the three new thermostats are okay, because they're new. Almost certainly you have a cracked Element...
The element is always live because the thermostats switch the neutral side of the circuit. Even when the thermostats switch off, the live element is grounded through the boiler water so it continues to generate heat until it ever pops the safety thermostat.

You can try checking the element for a short to ground with a digital multimeter set to its highest Ohms setting (probably 200k ohms or something).
With one probe on boiler brass and the other touching first one element connection then the other, if you see anything other than open circuit, the element is cracked/broken/wet inside.