Rancilio Recent Questions, Troubleshooting Help & Support

It might be a bad electrical connection. The connector and plastic housing are easy to replace. It might be a bad thermostat letting the boiler to get too hot. It is easy to replace also. If this was my machine, I'd replace both. You can Google search for parts or a parts list. Here is one source http://www.espressoparts.com/RancilioSilviaParts

The power light blinks as the thermostat calls for heat for the boiler. If it is blinking like a turn signal, it needs to be replaced.

Descale the boiler with citric acid.

1. Turn off the machine and let it get cool
2. Dissolve about a tablespoon of citric acid in the water reservoir.
3. Turn on the machine and then pump about a cup of solution out of the boiler vent using the hot water switch.
4. Turn off the switch. Close the vent
5. Let the boiler heat up for about 5 minutes.
6. Shut off the machine. Let the acid work for about 30 minutes.
7. Check the level in the reservoir.
8. Turn on the machine and then pump about a cup of solution out of the grouphead using the brew switch.
9. Turn off the brew switch.
10. Repeat steps 5,6, 7, 8, and 9 until the water runs clear.
11. Wash out the reservoir.
12. Turn the machine on. Pump a full reservoir water out the grouphead using the brew switch.
13. Refill the reservoir.
14. Have some coffee

Replace the steam valve. It is not very hard to do and you can find a new valve with a Google search. It is possible to attempt a repair but it is as hard to just replace the valve and repaired valve usually leak a bit.

Replace the coffee switch.

You can find a copy of the owner's manual here ManualsLib Makes it easy to find manuals online

Use Citric Acid.

1. Dissolve about one tablespoon of citric acid in the water reservoir.
2. Fill the boiler completely. Open the steam valve and start a hot water cycle until water comes out the steam vent. Stop the hot water cycle, close the vent.
3. Let the boiler heat up about 5 minutes. Then turn off the power.
4. Let the acid solution work for about 1/2 hour.
5. Pull a 30 second shot to change the water in the boiler.
6. Repeat flushing cycles (steps 3, 4, & 5) until the water looks clear. Refill the reservoir with water and acid as needed.
7. Wash out the water reservoir.
8. Pull 5 or shots to get the acidic water out of the boiler. Run a hot water cycle to clean the acidic water out of the steam vent.
9. Let the unit come to temperature and look for leaks.
10. Make some coffee and look for leaks.
11. Froth some milk and look for leaks.

It should not leak steam out of the grouphead. The three way valve is leaking. First of all if it is new, get it fixed under warranty. The three way valve is a replaceable item. On the other hand if you are like me, you can try a back flush with just a tiny bit of coffee machine detergent like "Joe-Glo". The directions might say not to do this but if it is my machine, it's my machine

1. Get a rubber disk for back flushing. Any place that sells the detergent should sell the disk.
2. Put the disk in the portafilter and add just a few grains of detergent.
3. Install the portafilter and "brew" for about 20 seconds, then switch of for 15 seconds or so..
4. Refill the water reservoir as needed.
5. Repeat the "brew" cycle until you get "detergent water" in the catch pan. It may take 6 to 8 cycles.
6. Remove the back flush disk from the portafilter, reinstall, and run a couple of normal 30 second brew cycles to flush detergent out the valve and grouphead.

If this was a coffee maker in service for a while and might have a water scale buildup, I would do the same thing but I would dissolve some citric acid in the water reservoir and descale the boiler, valve, and grouphead at the same time.

On the happy side, if you tried to re-heat the boiler and found this problem straight after it failed, the thermostat may still re-set once the unit cooled down. So leave it a day and try again. Alternatively, it could be a burnt out fuse or on the less happy side, a burnt out boiler. If no lights come on its a failed fuse. But if everything else is normal but it still wont heat, the best option is to take it for a service to a qualified technician as it may be that the boiler was damaged.

As its not working anyway, pull out the 'group seal' in the underside of the head and the 'shower screen' above it as well and see if the pump regains its pumping strength. If not, have the unit checked by someone qualified that can replace the pump, its either worn out or its tubes/interior are blocked. If it does pump normally with the shower screen out, the shower screen may just be full of build up and need replacing. You should be able to find the screen and seal for around $10 each on Ebay. There are videos on either You-Tube or Gooble that show how to replace these parts on the Silvia, As for the pump, if it is the problem have it replaced professionally to avoid risk of electrocution.

It shouldn't draw so much power that the fuse blows - there is an electrical fault within the machine, your kitchen circuits are doing exactly what they are designed to do, protect you and your property from faulty electrical equipment. It would be nice if you could solve the issue yourself for no cost, but unfortunately you need to take it to a qualified service technician who will quote for replacement and installation of the faulty components that are causing the fuse to blow.

The 'group seal' in the underside of the head that the grounds arm compresses against probably needs replacing. If you unknowingly left a few grounds to dry on the underside of the seal the last time you used the machine, this can be enough to cause a leak the next time around. If replacing the group seal, replace the 'shower screen' above it as well. Always buy genuine Rancilio parts, you should be able to find both for around $10 - $15 each on Ebay. There are videos on either You-Tube or Gooble that show how to replace these parts on the Silvia. Always try to ensure the seal face is cleaned before and after use and the group seal will last longer, but they are actually meant to be replaced whenever necessary, they are not designed to last forever.

Unfortunately when pumps fail, depending on the design, it is due to either their internal membrane ripping, bearing or guide seizing, solenoid seizing or motor burning out. Have a technician install a new pump, or if you are qualified to replace the pump, find a supplier and buy a new one.

There is an electrical short within the machine, ...don't doubt it - the results of your experiments prove that it has an electrical fault and that your tripping circuits are doing exactly what they should to keep you and your property safe. The machine needs servicing by a registered Rancilio electrician, don't go inside yourself, its highly likely that the part causing the tripping is dangerous and will need to be replaced.

It may be that the 'shower screen' which is a perforated metal disk filter that fits inside the head has reached its use by date. These can be found and bought on E-bay for about $15 each, make sure you buy a genuine Rancilio replacement, while you are at it, replace the rubber 'group seal' - a rubber ring for pressure sealing the head/arm after filling the arm with grounds - these are a similar price. If you get leaks around the head while making a coffee, the seal is worn out.

if it has a filter ,replace. use vinegar through the water resevoir. fill it and turn it on.

I will assume that you have the first on/off switch turned on and the one for the element is not turned on. The machine is saying it is not ready to dispense hot water or steam.

Have a look at the seal for the group handle. I have a different machine but this may of hardened and cracked. I'm sure you can get a replacement, may be hard to remove if it's gone very hard.