[Closed] DIY Fixing a Gaggia Coffee Machine help please..

speak to this chap -- http://www.gaggiamanualservice.com
sorted me out by email, wouldn't take any cash for time spent in conversation..

I did this with Mrs North's Gaggia Baby recently after it stopped producing anything.

My guess is that the solenoid valve is blocked (or, in the case of Mrs North's, knackered). It's easy to take off and clean. If you're doing that, then consider dismantling the boiler and cleaning that out as well.

If you're dismantling, you should consider a service pack with various replacement o-rings. I got one from Mr Bean2Cup's parts site: [url= http://www.gaggia-parts.co.uk/ ]www.gaggia-parts.co.uk[/url]

I can't remember where I found the info, but on one of the coffee forums out there someone had posted up some pictures of the inside which helped me to get started. Although TBH they're pretty simple inside - just take pics of the wiring in situ so you can plug it all back in correctly!

Thanks.. will start with the solenoid me thinks.
Do they stop making the click noise when they are broken or is it just a case of clean it and see if it works?

In fact, you've reminded me to order a replacement solenoid valve. At vast cost. Which I could handle if I drank coffee.... 🙄

Do they stop making the click noise when they are broken or is it just a case of clean it and see if it works?

TBH don't know (I don't use the machine). But definitely try dismantling and cleaning - if you have any leftover descaler, drop the metal parts in a cup of that.

But....I never managed to fix the missus's, so please don't take my word for any of this..!

A timely thread as I have this job to do over the weekend.

Does anyone know if water is supposed to go through both these ringed holes on the solenoid wotsit as one i can blow air through and the other seems blocked..

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Yes, but you need the solenoid on and powered to effect the switching.

You can take the innards out of it and then all holes should flow - IIRC, the big nut just above the solid base will undo and then you can fully dismantle.

cloudnine - you need to strip that bit down further - see

[url= http://reedsmeals.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/overhaul-of-gaggia-classic-espresso.html ]Gaggia Classic Repair[/url]

The gasket will prise out with a thin screwdriver, no need to stick a screw in it.

Would also recommend stripping down the lot and soaking it in descaler because as soon as you put it back together it will block again with something else being pumped round.

Stripped down the boiler and solenoid again.. all scrubbed clean with mrs cloudnines toothbrush and descaler. Also took off the group head to clean that. The head now works but the wand doesnt 😆 (think i just put it back in the wrong position)
Nearly celebrated with a cup of coffee but quite fancy getting to sleep before 4am. Pretty easy really, just a bit fiddly in places. Just remember to take a few digital pictures of what it should look like and marker pen to label where the wire connectors go back on.

Yeah it's the solenoid, i've posted on this forum last year about this common gaggia issue, it usually rears it's head after you attempt a descale (as you found out) due to flake particles blocking up the minuscule ports in the solenoid valve - it's a simple repair/dismantle but this problem is often misdiagnosed as an airlock of some kind leading to futile bleeding of the boiler and frantic operation of the steam valve till you get so pissed off that you actually consider heading down the shops to purchase a jar of instant coffee....Oh the plebeian horror of such a shameful act necessitates a disguise.

😉