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Pump problems on 2015 L1
Hi,
I have a 2015 L1 and haven't had any problems since I bought the machine 5 years ago. A couple of weeks ago the pump's sound changed to higher pitch and it started to take more time to fill. Today the noise changed to an even higher pitch and it no longer seems to pump anything in (never ends). Do I need a new pump or could it be something else?
Br,
Andreas
I have a 2015 L1 and haven't had any problems since I bought the machine 5 years ago. A couple of weeks ago the pump's sound changed to higher pitch and it started to take more time to fill. Today the noise changed to an even higher pitch and it no longer seems to pump anything in (never ends). Do I need a new pump or could it be something else?
Br,
Andreas
Comments
most likely the pump needs to be replaced, but it is worth checking first that the solenoid is opening
ensure the machine is cold (depressurised)
place the machine on the drain tray beside your kitchen sink, or other location where water can run out of the machine and not cause harm
i suggest unscrewing the pressure hose that connects to the outlet side of the pump at the point it screws to the inlet solenoid
direct the free end of the pressure hose outboard of the machine so it does not pump water into the machine when the pump activates, ideally into a bowl or similar
turn the machine on, the Gicar control unit will turn the pump on unless the boiler is already full to the maximum point
if the boiler is full and the machine turns the heating element on immediately then wait for the boiler to pressurise and open the hot tap until enough water is allowed out of the boiler for the blue light and pump to turn on
when the pump turns on do you get a strong stream of water out the end of the pressure hose and has the noise from the pump disappeared?
if so the cause is the solenoid; look on about page 8 of the Permanent file to see how to take the solenoid apart to clean it out
if you dont get much water out of the end of the pressure hose when the pump turns on the pump is the issue
there is a post on how to change that pump in the permanent file also
kind regards
reiss.
Thanks; I did the check and it seems like it's the solenoid. The sound changed to normal. Is the stream normal? Here's a video:
-Andreas
I cleaned the solenoid and machine works like a charm again!
Thanks again!
-Andreas
I was a bit hasty with my previous reply. The sound is much better and it fills, bun unfortunately is still very slow (i.e. takes more time). Especially after flushing or using the hot water tap.
Did you look at the video; is the stream strong enough?
-Andreas
actually, after the solenoid on your machine is a non return valve
open the non return valve and give that a clean too; that might be the culprit
kind regards
reiss.
actually, after the solenoid on your machine is a non return valve:
i appreciate that the machine in the image above is a plumb in luxe version, but that portion of the plumbing is the same as on your machine with the non return valve downstream of the inlet solenoid
after 5 years the non return valve is likely to need a clean and then it should be good to go again
note that the chaps at the factory have probably used liquid ptfe on the threads on the non return valve (which i think is unnecessary, and if it is necessary loxeal 55-03 is a much nicer product to use) so gently heat the body of the non return valve to 150-200C if it is proving difficult to open
kind regards
reiss.
Attached files
I cleaned the non-return valve today, but unfortunately it's still very slow in refilling the boiler. After a 3 dl flush it took forever and the Gicar box started beeping a few times (switched off/on in between).
-Andreas
yes it will be as frans has suggested; most likely the coil in the solenoid is tired
if you decide to purchase the solenoid from us i suggest you get the pump at the same time as it will not increase the courier charge and once the machine is 5 years old the piston pump could fail at any time
kind regards
reiss.
Thanks for the info! I'll try replacing the solenoid.
Btw, is it possible to install the rotary pump to my machine?
-Andreas
no, it is not possible to fit the rotary pump to your machine
kind regards
reiss.
Just wanted to report back. I guess it was the pump; I replaced the solenoid, but that didn't help. Yesterday I had the plumber over and now the machine is plumbed-in. Ah life is good again!!!
Thanks,
Andreas