Gaggia Classic - water flows back into the water tank

wannabecraig · 08-08-2018 10:03PM #1

So I had an issue with my pump. Bought a replacement. Fitted it according to vids online and it works well.
However, now instead of the water flowing into the group head it just flows back into the water tank through
the other tube! The steamer works perfectly, pump is humming but water doesn't come of the group head.

Any ideas?

Vid:

Jeffrey Lebowski · 09-08-2018 09:10AM

Here is a flow diagram for the classic. Looks like the OPV is sending water back to the Reservoir.

http://www.gaggiausersgroup.com/index.php?action=ezportal;sa=page;p=4

wannabecraig · 09-08-2018 09:47AM

Yes, when I have a look at a vid that stripped it down that's what it looks like is happening.
Do you have any idea why this would happen and how I might fix it?

Jeffrey Lebowski · 09-08-2018 09:56AM

To get the pump out did you remove any other wiring ? solenoid wiring ?

Did you prime the boiler afterwards ? The boiler could have air in it.

http://www.gaggiausersgroup.com/index.php?action=ezportal;sa=page;p=21

wannabecraig · 09-08-2018 12:37PM

Hi. I didn't disconnect anything that was connected to the anything but the pump.
There are no loose wires.

I didn't prime the boiler, I will do so tonight and update thread, thanks.

coylemj · 10-08-2018 03:05PM

OP, did you fit an identical pump? I replaced mine and the old and new are identical - Ulka EP5, 48W.

wannabecraig · 25-09-2018 10:05PM

Yeah. Fitted that one. Took it all apart and cleaned. Put back together and it blew up! Well tripped the switch. Anybody know anywhere that I can get this repaired?

Diziet · 05-10-2018 12:14PM

It's not the pump, it's the OPV (Over Pressure Valve) , judging from the description. When it fails, it sends water back to the reservoir. I had the same issue with my Rancilio Silvia, which I fixed by replacing the OPV (with the aid of YouTube, it was very doable).

wannabecraig · 23-01-2019 02:55PM

So I totally stripped this down and serviced it. It was then blowing the trip in the house once I plugged it back in.
Sent it to a guy to repair (not naming here yet) and he said it was the cable, that it worked fine once he used his plug.
He charged me 140€ to service it (which I didn't ask for) then sent it back. When I got it back was still an issue with the
water flowing into the tank. Sent it back again and then worked fine for a while, although there was water spilling out the back.

Forward a few weeks and issue reappears. I open it and see that the spill is because the tube at the top of the pump is
not fastened correctly and also, even though I've numbered the wires after I serviced it they were put back in wrong order!

Anyway, situation is happening now again, water flowing directly into the tank. Took out OPV and cleaned it, looks fine tbh,
so not 100% sure what's wrong with it. Anything else I can look at before I buy a new OPV?

wannabecraig · 23-01-2019 08:24PM

Diziet wrote: »

It's not the pump, it's the OPV (Over Pressure Valve) , judging from the description. When it fails, it sends water back to the reservoir. I had the same issue with my Rancilio Silvia, which I fixed by replacing the OPV (with the aid of YouTube, it was very doable).

Trying to find a new OPV for the classic is proving impossible.

mad m · 23-01-2019 08:59PM

wannabecraig wrote: »

Trying to find a new OPV for the classic is proving impossible.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/142407190752?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F5282-53468-19255-0%252F1%253Fff3%253D2%2526pub%253D5575376664%2526toolid%253D10001%2526campid%253D5338268676%2526customid%253D8ed1a76c-fde0-4ecb-8b28-01f97e458399%2526lgeo%253D1%2526item%253D142407190752%2526srcrot%253D5282-53468-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D1831467306551%2526rvr_ts%253D7c4828d11680a16e95b0967bfff77a16&ul_noapp=true

wannabecraig · 23-01-2019 10:43PM

mad m wrote: »

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/142407190752?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F5282-53468-19255-0%252F1%253Fff3%253D2%2526pub%253D5575376664%2526toolid%253D10001%2526campid%253D5338268676%2526customid%253D8ed1a76c-fde0-4ecb-8b28-01f97e458399%2526lgeo%253D1%2526item%253D142407190752%2526srcrot%253D5282-53468-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D1831467306551%2526rvr_ts%253D7c4828d11680a16e95b0967bfff77a16&ul_noapp=true

That's a pump, I'm looking for an overpressure valve. Although I've taken mine out and look at it and it really seems fine, so I think I have to take boiler apart tomorrow.

wannabecraig · 24-01-2019 10:26PM

Sorted. Was the selonide valve. Took apart and cleaned and all sorted.

Planet X · 25-01-2019 06:43AM

Well done.
So much for the service!

wannabecraig · 25-01-2019 08:22AM

Yeah, very disappointed with the 'service'. Mentioned I wasn't happy and got a glib and patronizing response.

Gaggia Classic - water flows back into the water tank

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