Help--just plumbed her in and STRANGE noise!

[wantmorecrema]

Just plumbed in the VII and she's making a high pitched sound that resembles that when you are steaming. Is this normal?
Thanks,
Carrie

[gdahl]

What you are hearing might be some steam escaping through the vacuum breaker valve as the steam boiler pressure begins to rise. It would sound like "ssssssssssss" for several seconds, build in intensity, and then suddenly stop when the pressure became high enough to close the valve. My WEGA used to do this. At one point I had to replace the valve because it wouldn't close all the way.

I don't know if this is what you are hearing, though. Can you describe with more specifics? (Power on? For how long? Where are you in the light sequence? etc.)

When I installed mine, the power was off when I first applied live water pressure. All was quiet. Next, I turned on the machine, and could hear the pump start running as the boiler filled. All was quiet again, and from the lights, I could tell that the group boiler was heating. Several minutes later, the main steam boiler began to heat. As it finally started to build pressure, I could hear the faint sound of the valve letting some steam escape until it closed. A couple minutes later everything was up to temperature and pressure.

Has yours acted differently?

Gary Dahl

[wantmorecrema]

Thanks Gary. The hissing is there whether it's on or off (off with the on/off button still lit). It's there whether the boiler light is blinking or stable. When I steam, it alters the noise but it's still there.

When I first turned it on the sound wasn't there. It came on about 8 minutes after.

[gdahl]

Sounds like a stuck vacuum breaker valve then, which isn't normal. I can't give specific help for this one, because I haven't had my machine open yet. You can use the machine, but it's probably better to not leave it on unneccessarily because of the extra moisture being released inside the case.

It could be something else, of course. To verify, run the unit without the covers so you can find the source of escaping steam.

Worst case consists of replacing the valve, which (fortunately) is easy.

Gary Dahl

[wantmorecrema]

Well, I called Chris Coffee and one of their devoted techs got back to me, even though it was a Friday night! It turned out that one of the valves was not tightened enough. He helped me go under the hood and I fixed it. She's now perfectly quiet!

Wow, what a machine! I'm in love!

Thanks again Gary.

[gdahl]

I'm glad you're up and running. Have fun!

Gary Dahl