My new Rancilio Sylvia espresso machine was disconnected for a while and the tank emptied - now it has an air lock. How do I solve this? Shirley Schmidli
Air lock happens when hot water in the resevoir cools down and pulls a partial vacuum. Other machines has an anti-vacuum valve that opens when the tank cools but at any rate, airlock can be cured by opening the steam valve or loosen the fitting going from the pump to the thermal block. You will most likely hear the air escape. Then tighten it back up.
According to your problem, may be the steam makes it lock. So first release the steam by slowly removing the steam knob. Then you can unlock it. You need to clean the machine. So descale the machine and also clean the boiler and Steam spout.
Answers & Comments
Welcome to Fixya.
Air lock happens when hot water in the resevoir cools down and pulls a partial vacuum. Other machines has an anti-vacuum valve that opens when the tank cools but at any rate, airlock can be cured by opening the steam valve or loosen the fitting going from the pump to the thermal block. You will most likely hear the air escape. Then tighten it back up.
Thanks for using Fixya.
Hi,
According to your problem, may be the steam makes it lock. So first release the steam by slowly removing the steam knob. Then you can unlock it. You need to clean the machine. So descale the machine and also clean the boiler and Steam spout.