I had the same issue - but before you replace the pump there are a few things you should do: 1) make sure the filter screen on the brew head is not all gummed up 2) remove the filter screen then the jet under the filter screen which contains the pressure valve that allows the water from the pump to pass through the brew head (the spring valve can get jammed and not open under the normal pressure produced by pump). Check the spring valve and also you use a small wire to make sure there is no obstruction above the valve in the feeder pipe. 3) if you have sound from the pump but no water through brew head after checking 1 & 2 then the pump is likely blocked. Disconnect the fitting from the boiler and slide out the water pipe ( you have to pull hard to dislodge the pressure fitting) and redirect into a cup. Run the brew switch - if no water comes out of the pipe, then your pump is blocked. Disconnect the wires that go to the pump then unscrew the water pipe fittings and slide the pump out of its rubber supports. on the outflow side use small tweezers to unthread the white plastic screen - under that screen is another backflow spring valve ( that prevents hot water from backing up into the pump). That spring valve can get stuck and prevent water from exiting the pump (so nothing out of the brew head). Pull the spring out with needle nose pliers - there is a little rubber nub that may detach from the spring and stay stuck. make sure to get that out with tweezers then clean it and reseat it on the spring. Reverse the steps until the white filter is back in place (holding the spring with the right tension). Before you re-install the pump test it by connecting to AC power source (use a ground fault protected circuit in the bathroom to avoid a lethal shock). If the pump draws water and pumps, you are good to go. Reassemble things and enjoy some good coffee! I bought one of these machines used for 5 bucks (cuz when I went to pickup from the seller not water would come out of the brew head). A couple of hours later I was making good espresso with my 5$ machine :-) There is a guy on utube who shows you how to take apart & service ULKA pumps ( which are in most machines ). Search "ulka pump repair" to see all these steps in video form...Pumps usually can be fixed DIY. Cheers, Armand
ya ya - but after searching the net for no water in brew head and seeing many vids that did not deal with the pump blockage issue I decided to comment so that others could more quickly find the various solutions that apply to this issue... cheers!
This would have been more useful had you shown how you got the brew head OUT of the housing. There is a connection with a brass nut that seems impossible to remove.
I used liquid wrench and dulled the end of a cheap medium width wood chisel by scraping it on concrete to remove that nut. When its loosened a US penny will let you un screw it the rest of they way. Good luck.
Hey this is my problem!!! how did you get the carburetor thing out? I know it was awhile ago so idk if you will see this but did you just use a big flathead screwdriver?
It CAN be very difficult. If the machine has never been serviced, the valve holder (the carburetor thing) could be cemented to the boiler by old coffee. Or it could have been just screwed in too tight at the factory. IOW, the valve holder is STUCK. What I did for a STUCK holder are - spray CRC "food grade" penetrating oil on the outside of the holder, and let it seep down to the bottom of the holder, to loosen the grip of the holder on the boiler. - leave it to sit for a few hours, to a few days. - then CAREFULLY use a tool that FITS the notches on the holder to unscrew the holder. - Mine still required quite a bit of force to break free. But it broke free. - - A screwdriver will probably not give you enough leverage to break a STUCK holder free. - - I used a homemade tool to fit into the slots, then gripped and turned the tool with a wrench. Yeah that was MORE force than I could apply to a screwdriver. - - You have to HOLD the tool down into the holder, or you could round off the notch, and that will make it MUCH harder to remove the holder. I've seen picture of people using a coin or washer, then gripping that with a wrench. The main thing is, whatever you put into the holder, has to FIT, and not slip out. Or you could damage/round off the notches on the holder.
I had the same issue - but before you replace the pump there are a few things you should do:
1) make sure the filter screen on the brew head is not all gummed up
2) remove the filter screen then the jet under the filter screen which contains the pressure valve that allows the water from the pump to pass through the brew head (the spring valve can get jammed and not open under the normal pressure produced by pump). Check the spring valve and also you use a small wire to make sure there is no obstruction above the valve in the feeder pipe.
3) if you have sound from the pump but no water through brew head after checking 1 & 2 then the pump is likely blocked. Disconnect the fitting from the boiler and slide out the water pipe ( you have to pull hard to dislodge the pressure fitting) and redirect into a cup. Run the brew switch - if no water comes out of the pipe, then your pump is blocked. Disconnect the wires that go to the pump then unscrew the water pipe fittings and slide the pump out of its rubber supports. on the outflow side use small tweezers to unthread the white plastic screen - under that screen is another backflow spring valve ( that prevents hot water from backing up into the pump). That spring valve can get stuck and prevent water from exiting the pump (so nothing out of the brew head). Pull the spring out with needle nose pliers - there is a little rubber nub that may detach from the spring and stay stuck. make sure to get that out with tweezers then clean it and reseat it on the spring. Reverse the steps until the white filter is back in place (holding the spring with the right tension). Before you re-install the pump test it by connecting to AC power source (use a ground fault protected circuit in the bathroom to avoid a lethal shock). If the pump draws water and pumps, you are good to go. Reassemble things and enjoy some good coffee! I bought one of these machines used for 5 bucks (cuz when I went to pickup from the seller not water would come out of the brew head). A couple of hours later I was making good espresso with my 5$ machine :-)
There is a guy on utube who shows you how to take apart & service ULKA pumps ( which are in most machines ). Search "ulka pump repair" to see all these steps in video form...Pumps usually can be fixed DIY.
Cheers,
Armand
ya ya - but after searching the net for no water in brew head and seeing many vids that did not deal with the pump blockage issue I decided to comment so that others could more quickly find the various solutions that apply to this issue...
cheers!
Thank you so much for this. I was able to get my machine to pour espresso again.
Very glad to hear, I have been using my machine almost every day since I fixed it. It’s a lot nicer than affordable machines made today!
Question 🙋🏼♀️
I disassembled my filter want & can’t figure out how to assemble!! Do you have a part installation diagram for this? Help
Couldn’t you just run a tank of vinegar through the system to unclog everything?
This would have been more useful had you shown how you got the brew head OUT of the housing. There is a connection with a brass nut that seems impossible to remove.
I used liquid wrench and dulled the end of a cheap medium width wood chisel by scraping it on concrete to remove that nut. When its loosened a US penny will let you un screw it the rest of they way. Good luck.
Excellent, thank-you
This is exactly my problem...Thank You
We have a expresso machine ESTRO COM002 and it is leaking on the filterhold seal so we want to replace it, did you have this piece to supply ?
Hey this is my problem!!! how did you get the carburetor thing out? I know it was awhile ago so idk if you will see this but did you just use a big flathead screwdriver?
@stanwoodstudios 😊
Hi thanks for your comment! That piece is removable just like the main jet in a carburetor with a large flathead screw driver.
It CAN be very difficult. If the machine has never been serviced, the valve holder (the carburetor thing) could be cemented to the boiler by old coffee. Or it could have been just screwed in too tight at the factory. IOW, the valve holder is STUCK.
What I did for a STUCK holder are
- spray CRC "food grade" penetrating oil on the outside of the holder, and let it seep down to the bottom of the holder, to loosen the grip of the holder on the boiler.
- leave it to sit for a few hours, to a few days.
- then CAREFULLY use a tool that FITS the notches on the holder to unscrew the holder.
- Mine still required quite a bit of force to break free. But it broke free.
- - A screwdriver will probably not give you enough leverage to break a STUCK holder free.
- - I used a homemade tool to fit into the slots, then gripped and turned the tool with a wrench. Yeah that was MORE force than I could apply to a screwdriver.
- - You have to HOLD the tool down into the holder, or you could round off the notch, and that will make it MUCH harder to remove the holder.
I've seen picture of people using a coin or washer, then gripping that with a wrench.
The main thing is, whatever you put into the holder, has to FIT, and not slip out. Or you could damage/round off the notches on the holder.
I have an estrogen vampire that has the exact symptoms. Worked when I put it away, would you be willing to work on it?
Why not follow this video and try and repair it yourself??
I did watch that video but I thought that was beyond my capability I thought I’d get it apart and put it back together again
super helpful. thanks.
Help, nothing comes out my steam wand.
my starbucks barista espresso machine making cold esspresso