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Broken Barista Athena?? - 2008/02/06 12:19I busted out my Barista Athena after having it boxed up for a couple of years. It has been used only a handful of times and was bought new 3-5yrs ago. I watched the video again, so I know how to use it, but I cannot get any water to pump through the machine! Nothing comes out of the steamer, nothing comes through the coffee filter. I can hear the pump, and the machine warms up, but it just doesn't seem to draw the water out of the water canister. What can I do? Thanks, Angie
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colin
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Re:Broken Barista Athena?? - 2008/02/06 12:51-fill reservoir -power on -open the steam wand -press brew switch
Note water coming out steam wand and brew head.
Fixed!Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Angie1970
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Re:Broken Barista Athena?? - 2008/02/06 15:28Oh, if only it were that easy!
I just tried your suggestion and got the same results; no water. I removed the top warming plate and can look right at the tubing...there is still no water leaving the reservoir when I power on and open the steam wand or depress the brew switch. Also, when the steam wand is open the brew switch does not light up when I depress it so I don't think it is allowing the machine to brew at the same time as having the wand open. I did not turn the steam ON; just turned the dial to open the wand.
Any other suggestions? Thanks for your quick response, Colin!! Angie
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colin
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Re:Broken Barista Athena?? - 2008/02/06 15:51Lime scale could also be an issue -- BUT. If it was working (and dry) when you boxed it up, it should respond to a re-start.
If you left any water whatsoever in it when you boxed it up, that water would have mixed with the aluminum in the boiler to create enough grit to plug up the brew head.
The fact that NO water comes out of the wand WHEN THE STEAM WAND KNOB is open and the BREW SWITCH pressed is mighty odd.
Will think more.Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Angie1970
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Re:Broken Barista Athena?? - 2008/02/06 16:24"If you left any water whatsoever in it when you boxed it up, that water would have mixed with the aluminum in the boiler to create enough grit to plug up the brew head."
Well that could be the culprit. When I opened the wand knob for the very first time today I got maybe a tablespoonful of water out, then a little steam, then nothing. Surely that was old water left in the machine. But not a drop of water has come out of the brew part.
And, yes, once that initial bit of water came out that was it. As of now, NO water comes out when knob is open and brew switch is pressed. WAAAHHHH.
Perhaps you will think of something else. Otherwise I guess it may be time to shop for a new machine.
Thanks again.
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colin
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Re:Broken Barista Athena?? - 2008/02/06 16:31You could attempt a series of de-scaling sessions with the unit.
The fact that a few drops of water come out is promising.
Get some citric acid powder and prepare to get down with the machine.Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Angie1970
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Re:Broken Barista Athena?? - 2008/02/06 16:40"If you left any water whatsoever in it when you boxed it up, that water would have mixed with the aluminum in the boiler to create enough grit to plug up the brew head."
Well that could be the culprit. When I opened the wand knob for the very first time today I got maybe a tablespoonful of water out, then a little steam, then nothing. Surely that was old water left in the machine. But not a drop of water has come out of the brew part.
And, yes, once that initial bit of water came out that was it. As of now, NO water comes out when knob is open and brew switch is pressed. WAAAHHHH.
Perhaps you will think of something else. Otherwise I guess it may be time to shop for a new machine.
Thanks again.
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