Squealing noise related to water

[bbqnut]

I started noticing something about my S1 VII, and wondered if you heard it also on your S1 or S1 VII. I suspect it has been there all along, and that I have just started paying attention to it.

The squealing noise happens when pulling a shot, and seems to be when the boiler is refilling. If you walk up to the machine and pull a shot, it won't happen for a few seconds, and then you hear it and will continue as long as you keep pressing the shot button. It is like water going through a pipe but not in a good way.

I had a plumbed-in Bunn commercial drip machine that also made the same noise, so I am not too worried, but wanted to see what others experienced. The reason I started listening, is when someone else commented about the sound of their rotary pump. Well with this noise, you can barely hear the rotary pump.

Thanks

[Niko]

Sounds normal to me, it must be the boiler refill.
I'm having a rather scary sound coming out of my pump as we speak/write...

[chas]

Call Chris Coffee and talk to either Roger or Jason. I'm sure they'll be able to give you a good idea what it is and whether you can or should do anything about it.

[bbqnut]

OK, I will call them in the morning. I am sure they can listen on the phone and will be able to determine if it is normal or not.

Thanks

[Niko]

I'm calling them as well for my problem.

[bbqnut]

I did see, that, but did not relate it to my issue.

I guess that might be the issue I am having.

I guess we can both report back what Chris' has to say.

[blacroix]

I had the same issue when one of my toilets filled... It was actually coming from the valve that the supply line connected to. I just closed the valve a little to have it fill just a tiny bit slower - stopped the noise... you might try closing your valve just a bit to see if the decreased flow rate takes care of it.

[StuBaby]

I notice the same problem, as well as the possibility that my flow meter is not accurate or consistant. As far as the noise goes, it only happens when water is moving throught the brew group, not when the steam boiler is filling. It has the sound of fast flow through a 90degree bend of pipe. It is coming from the top of the machine, not from the flow meter. It is variable in its timing, never at the onset of pulling a shot, but the longer the water flows throught the brew group, the lower pitched the sound becomes. The "toilet filling sound" that blacroix mentions is an accurate description of sound quality. It may represent a sharp bend in copper tubing (I haven't taken top off Spaz yet) or one of those brass floaters peepz have described once parts are dismantled.

I have relaxed quite a bit since purchasing the SpazII and will try to get some consistancy with my pulls, from grind to tamp, before I call Chris with a problem list. This is definately growth for me, hehe.

Please keep us informed with what Chris and his troops say.

[StuBaby]

Have you noticed that Niko has had more problems with his machine since he changed his avatar to the cocobolo turned tamp???
Bring Back The Steam

[chas]

As far as the noise goes, it only happens when water is moving throught the brew group, not when the steam boiler is filling. It has the sound of fast flow through a 90degree bend of pipe. It is coming from the top of the machine, not from the flow meter. It is variable in its timing, never at the onset of pulling a shot, but the longer the water flows throught the brew group, the lower pitched the sound becomes. The "toilet filling sound" that blacroix mentions is an accurate description of sound quality. It may represent a sharp bend in copper tubing (I haven't taken top off Spaz yet) or one of those brass floaters peepz have described once parts are dismantled.

After reading this thread and listening to my machine this AM, I guess it makes the same sound. It just doesn't bother me nor did I ever think for a moment that it is indicative of any issue. Just high pressure hot water runing through thin tubes.

[bbqnut]

I talked to Jason this morning over at Chris'. He listened over the phone, and felt the noise was normal.

He also indicated adjusting the brew pressure a bit could help. Looks like I may do that just to see if I can get the noise to go away, without changing the brew pressure too much from the ideal 8-9 bar.

[StuBaby]

Thanks for the f/u bbq. Let us know if that works for you.

[Niko]

Have you noticed that Niko has had more problems with his machine since he changed his avatar to the cocobolo turned tamp???
Bring Back The Steam

My problems are over...
So here's the steam just for you StuBaby!
Notice the steam boiler pressure?-I don't mess around...
crank it up, crank iit uuup...

[StuBaby]

That's not steam, that's a gauge (ok, two gauges). But I do like the colors. The avatar with you standing in front of the Spaz with a cloud of steam told a story. When I saw it, I wondered what you were up to; were you purging the water from the steam tip, did your machine explode, was it cold in the kitchen? It felt like I was getting to know you caus' you invited us into your home. Call me a romantic, but that was the best espresso related avatar out there. That was yours, Niko, wasn't it???

Anyway, you are clearly handy with a camera, so keep the different avatars coming....but, we're watching you Niko, we're watching you. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHa

[Niko]

...are those Illy cups?
or are they...

[StuBaby]

HaHa, there you are buddy. All is well in the world!!!!!! Thanks Niko :D

[bbqnut]

Havent adjusted anything yet, but noticed when pulling shots will coffee in the basket does not produce the squealing noise.

[Niko]

I have a feeling the squealing noise is quite normal.
It's the sound of pressurized water squeezing through the plumbing. The sound is quieter when the water pressure is just right because ever since something happened to my plumbing connection - the sound went away and my expansion valve stopped dripping completely.