Hi, my Synchronika is taking 10-30 seconds to build up pressure when running on a blind portafilter. If I keep running the pump back to back, the time decreases. I've tried adjusting the pressure with the screw at the bottom but had no luck with the pressure changing. I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting now. Any ideas?
#ECM Synchronika - Pressure takes 10-30 seconds to build up
grand wasp
dusty eagle
Hey, try bleeding the pump, maybe there is air stuck
grand wasp
Bleeding the pump as in draining it from the hot water wand or is there a different method?
rugged mantle
Have you descaled the machine super recently? If not, start with a proper descale with a good product like Calcinet
The sync has the pressure sensor near the pump so something is definitely up there.
It doesn’t sound too bad, is the flow normal? Measure 30s flow from the group.
Could be an ecosystem growing on the intake filter of the pump, not uncommon
grand wasp
I haven't descaled recently, just been using cafiza monthly. It's just very weird behavior with adjusting the pressure screw at the bottom. Super inconsitent with the blind portafilter. Sometimes it will build up to 6 bars after 10 seconds, sometimes 12 bars. I've taken most things apart and cleaned them. I can try descaling since I haven't done that yet.
Group head sputtered for about 10 seconds before water was flowing normally, got about 400g of water in 30 seconds
rugged mantle
That flow seems normal. I’d just start with a descale and if that doesn’t solve it, take apart the pump intake and clean the filter.
The gauge on the machine should very quickly rise to the set pressure
Bleeding the pump is btw not a real thing. Using it should’ve already solved that
What could be an issue is the tank connector assuming you’re using the tank, allowing air into the pump
You can descale with warm (40-50c) water to optimally reach the pump & tubing
grand wasp
Good to know, thanks for the advice!
grand wasp
Bleeding the pump is btw not a real thing. Using it should’ve already solved tha...
yup using a tank
grand wasp
It has been working fine for a while, was just hearing weird sounds all of a sudden from the tank.
I’ve only taken the rotary pump out and put it back. Not sure what’s meant by the wrong side but I can take a picture
Only other thing I’ve noticed as I test things is the valve at the bottom for switching to plumb in leaks really easily with the slightest turn
grand wasp
Once the boiler heats up to 199/200, it sounds like a kettle and I can hear bubbles coming up in the tank
rugged mantle
Oh yeah could definitely be the non return valve being not working
Like @keen osprey suggested
Has the pressure buildup been fixed?
Is the kettle sound coming from brew or steam boiler?
Or do you mean the bubbling
grand wasp
The pressure build up got fixed, was getting 9 bars consistently for two weeks and then heard the kettle sound and water took pretty long to come out again. Took the panels off and noticed the bubbling in the tank and the consistent kettle sound from one of the boilers. Pretty sure it’s the brew since it happens as it gets closer to 199F. Steam hasn’t built up at all at that point.
Clive seems to carry parts cheaper than WLL. Figured these would do based on what might be the issue:
rugged mantle
Did you do the descale?
grand wasp
I didn't ended up descaling since I took the mushroom apart and didn't notice any scale or build up. Everything went back to normal after draining and resetting the PID.
Any recommended places to get Calcinet in the US?
rugged mantle
Yeah the descaling was also to finish the potential bacterial buildup in the pump / cold side