Is my espresso machine shot?

April 6, 2008 2:43 PM

My FrancisFrancis X5 espresso machine has water coming out everywhere except where it's supposed to.

I just took the machine out of storage, so it's easily possible that something got jostled, or that the low temperatures in the garage where it was stored didn't agree with the machine.

When I turn on the machine, water comes out practically everywhere — places I didn't even realize it was possible for water to come out — EXCEPT the brew head.

I can call FrancisFrancis tomorrow, but I'd be grateful if anyone had a tip on how to repair this myself, or on what I might expect costwise.

posted by veggieboy to food & drink (6 comments total)

I have a different espresso machine, but mine developed the same problem over time--lots of leaks. It got to the point that any water I poured in just emptied into a puddle on the countertop almost immediately.

I had to replace a bunch of rubber gaskets (about 10). If your storage was not climate controlled, heat + cold + dry would dry out the gaskets pretty quickly, I would think. Repair shops wanted about $200 plus shipping both ways to do the job, so I bought the parts from Espressoparts for about $50 and did it myself.

It wasn't too bad, but mine is a la pavoni lever machine, so it is a lot less mechanically complex than automatic pump machines. I looked at Espressoparts and couldn't immediately locate any parts for your machine, but they have always been really helpful anytime I've called. You can also shoot an email to the guys at EspressoSmith in Denver, they are awesome and if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself I highly recommend just having them do it. I've been to their shop in Denver and it is unreal--they are like the Monster Garage of espresso machines.

Also, consider posting this question on either the Coffeegeek or Home Barista forums. There are always helpful people around both those places. Email's in the profile if you need any other help.
posted by jtfowl0 at 3:30 PM on April 6

Yup, probably the rubber gaskets got all cracked while in storage. This isn't a hugely difficult thing to fix, but can take a time and patience. If it is under warranty, I would send it back for repair, but that sounds unlikely. Otherwise you will have to disassemble the whole unit, check the hose sizes, etc and get the right gaskets, then install them. Doesn't sound too difficult, but one misfitted piece and the whole thing is under water again. Wouldn't hurt to email the company and see what they say about repair costs.

Could also be cracked hoses that have been worn by the storage climate. Could also be that a hose simply got knocked off a joint. If you turn it on without a basket in and water still comes out mostly from the proper place, it is most likely a small tear or gasket issue (not much pressure, so if it requires more pressure to fail, it is most likely a small hole). If you get nothing from the head with no basket in, most likely a hose popped loose.
posted by neuroking at 4:06 PM on April 6

The sieve is probably blocked. This happens from time to time and a common cause of non performing espresso machines.

A good way to fix it is to remove the sieve from the cradle and give it a good wash.

Hold it up to the light and look through the sieve. You should see lots of light.

If no joy (those grounds can be really wedged in there) place the sieve on the stove top and heat the sieve up- the grounds will burn away. Let the sieve cool down, the give it another wash.

Hold it up to the light and look through the sieve. You should see lots of light.

Dry it and place it back in the cradle.
posted by mattoxic at 6:47 PM on April 6

Your description--mainly that nothing comes out where it's supposed to--leads me to believe that mattoxic is on the right track. I would check for blockages in the group head.

If not, the other suggestions re: gaskets and/or hoses are certainly a possibility.
posted by lackutrol at 10:39 PM on April 6

@mattoxic: when you say sieve, are you talking about the basket that you put the ground coffee into, or something else? (Just curious...I want to make sure I'm maintaining my machine properly!) If that is what you are talking about, a good soak in some vinegar and a scrub with a stiff wire brush will also achieve the same results.
posted by jtfowl0 at 5:52 AM on April 7

Thank you all very much.

This morning, I called both FrancisFrancis and an independent repair shop. Both told me it sounds like the boiler has cracked — probably because it froze in storage. Let my story serve as a warning to others!

For what it's worth, I had stored it in the same garage twice before over the winter and later taken it out with no problems. But it looks like I had just gotten lucky and now my luck has run out.
posted by veggieboy at 7:47 AM on April 7