On a Bunn VPR why is the water boiling out the top of holding tank?

The VPR manual is on the bunn.com website. (Free)
*** the following is for information only as all repairs should be performed by a qualified Bunn tech. ***
* The VPR has two heaters in the brewer. There is an element inside the water tank (cylinder) which is wrapped in a warmer blanket which is also heated. (Like and electric blanket)
* There will be one or more warmer "Hot Plates".
* Most VPRs will power up as soon as it's plugged in. In other words there is no On/Off switch (though this may have changed in newer models or called a 'Vacation' switch that turns off all the internal heaters.)
* Each additional warmer plate will have it's own on/off switch.
* Internal heater(s) have thermal fuses on each heater. There may be a 2nd thermal fuse or High Limit on the tank - it looks like a disk with two tabs. The thermal fuses look like diodes that sometimes are enclosed in a plastic tube. There should be continuity on all good fuses. If it's open then replace.
* The element is straight forward. Similar to what you would find in a water heater. Which is basically what this brewer is. Just on a smaller scale.
* There is a bulb style thermostat wired in series with the main heater element. This is should be set to boil the water but it should not boil constantly. If it's always boiling then it's shorted. If it does not switch on when the dial is turned clockwise. Then it's open. Need to replace.
* Okay final note; I'm guessing the real question here is what the wires look like in the real brewer and not a bunch of lines on a paper. Most Bunn brewers come with a schematic (electrical) diagram under the top lid or inside a panel. So I've had that problem myself even though I have an Electronics background. You just have to take your time and follow each wire to the component. It's all there. But again, this should be performed by a Qualified Tech.
Aloha, ukeboy57

Fill water tank until water comes out from sprayhead, THEN plug it in it should be OK.

IF the machine keeps blowing steam/keeps boiling the water, The thermostat is defective and must be replaced.

NOTE: If you don't use the machine for a couple days, UNPLUG IT. The water will evaporate if you don't unplug it.

The thermostat controlling the tank heater is defective or wired incorrectly.

Try running a quarter-pot 50/50 solution of white vinegar and cold water through to clean out calcium deposits in the pump system. Use a clean filter to catch the pumped debris. When pumped through, let cool somewhat, and reuse the cold mixture again twice more. Pour out the vinegar solution and run several cold water loads through to wash out the taste. Hope this helps!

This is a pour over unit.

You fill the tank with water, it heats the water in the tank.
When the water in the tank is at brewing temp, the lite should go out.

To brew coffee with this system, you put a filter in the brew funnel, put coffee in the filter. Place the brew funnel in the slide tabs to hold in place. put an empty decanter on the warming plate under the brew funnel. Then take one decanter of fresh water and pour it in the top of the brewer where it says "WATER ONLY" the coffee will begin brewing immediatly.

Hello, yes you are correct, it's due to the water boiling in the tank. take 2 screws out of the top panel, just under this panel you will find the thermostat (it's ajustable) turn the temp down on the thermostat, if this does not solve the problem your thermostat may be bad and you will have to replace it. You can purchase new parts from either bunn direct or from holiday house in california. if you have any additional questions please feel free to comment again. Good Luck! Mike

What's happening is that it isn't leaking, it's boiling over. You need to turn down the thermostat under the top lid. Also, before you brew coffee, add water to the tank and let it pour into an empty pot. Once it stops brewing, let it heat up for a few minutes then make your pot of coffee.

Unplug the machine and remove the top. You will find a little box with a knob or a "T" on it, this is the thermostat. Just turn it down a little, put the top back on and plug it back it.

It sounds like the tank isn't full. Unplug the machine and make sure there is a pot underneath to catch water. Pour clean water into the tank until it starts flowing out. Plug the machine in and let it heat up. Then try brewing coffee.

The way your machine works is that there is a holding tank for the water and it isn't actually brewing with the water you just poured in, it is using the holding tank water. If the holding tank gets low, and you pour water in all it does is fill the tank but nothing will come out.

Hope this helps.

There is a thermostat underneath the top of the machine. There are a couple of little screws that you need to undo then you will see a little dial or even a little T on top of a metal box or circuit board. I recommend that you unplug the machine before opening it up. Then just turn the thermostat down - usually counter clockwise. Turn it just a little and put the top back on the machine and let it heat up.