Difference between revisions of "ECM Synchronika"

Revision as of 14:35, 19 January 2018

The ECM Synchronika is a Prosumer espresso machine that features updated gauge and PID designs, a stylish casing, and a sturdy powder coated single piece frame.

ECM Synchronika
Manufacturer: ECM
Model Name: Synchronika
Model Number: 86274
Type: Prosumer

Basic Usage

Getting Started

Adjusting Brew Pressure

The video below is for a different machine, but the same exact process is used for adjusting brew pressure on this unit.

Adjusting The PID

The video below is for a different machine, but the same exact process is used for adjusting the PID on this unit. In addition to temperature settings the Synchronika PID offers a "Cln" option which lets you program a reminder for cleaning the grouphead after a certain number of cycles. Detailed instructions on how to do this can be found in section 6.4 of the user manual.

Draining The Boilers

Reading The Brew Gauge

The brew pressure gauge is only meaningful when the machine is actively brewing. While the machine is standing by, the gauge may move around, sit at zero, or show the the circuit is pressurized; this does not mean anything. This gauge is only accurate while the brew circuit is activated during brewing. A simple test of the machine's brew pressure can be completed by using the backflush disc.

1. Insert the backflush disc into the portafilter and attach it to the machine.
2. Activate the brew function. The gauge will fall to zero, and then begin pressurizing.
3. After about 10-15 seconds the pressure should read 8-11 Bar pressure. If your machine does this then there is nothing wrong with the brew function or brew gauge, the machine is operating to spec.

Steam Tip Compatibility

ECM and Profitec Steam Tip Compatibility

Cleaning & Maintenance

Proper machine maintenance is critical for machine function. Most machine failures are caused by lack of cleaning and many manufacturer warranties do not cover cleaning related breakdowns, so it is important to keep a regular maintenance schedule. Listed below is a suggested maintenance schedule for most Prosumer espresso machines:

Descaling

Grouphead Cleaning

The grouphead should be taken apart on a monthly basis to remove scale buildup, remove coffee residues, and improve shot flavor.

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How To Clean E61 Brew Group Mushroom, Jet and Top Valve

Steam Wand Cleaning

The steam wand should be cleaned daily once the machine is finished for the day. Milk residues quickly build up on the steam wand, so it's important to keep it clean to prevent blockages from forming.

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How to Clean a Steam Wand

Water Softener

Because this machine should only be descaled professionally we recommend a filtration system, such as a BWT Inline Filter, be installed on the unit to prevent scale buildup. The machine does have a basic debris filter, but this will not soften the water or prevent scale buildup in any way.

Recommended Cleaning Products

The best product for backflushing, cleaning grouphead components, and cleaning filter baskets is a backflushing powder like Urnex Cafiza.

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Cleaning Portafilter and Baskets

Draining the Boiler

Be sure to drain the boiler(s) whenever you ship or store your machine, as water can freeze and expand inside. This can lead to cracking, fracturing, or otherwise damaging the boiler unnecessarily. The video below shows you how to do this.

Troubleshooting

No Crema or Bad Tasting Shots

Typically, issues with crema or the flavor of the shot do not indicate a malfunction of the machine. Instead, this indicates that an adjustment needs to be made in the brewing process or that different beans need to be used.

The following articles review the different variables and offer solutions:

• Tamping The Correct Way and The Effects Of Tamping Pressure
• Grinding Coffee For Espresso
• It is important to use fresh beans, typically beans roasted within the past two weeks are best. Light and medium roasts are best for espresso brewing and richer crema. Storing beans properly is also important, more information can be found here.

If the behavior persists after reviewing these factors then the machine may need to be cleaned. Lack of cleaning can cause burned or bitter flavors, or create flow issues which can result in a weak shot. Navigate to the Cleaning & Maintenance icon above for more information.

Difficulty Frothing

As with brewing, technique is critical to frothing well. Frothing is very sensitive to technique, which has a steep learning curve. If the machine is producing steam then an adjustment to technique may need to be made. The video on the right shows proper frothing technique.

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How to Froth and Steam Milk for Latte Art, Cappuccino and More

Many frothing mistakes are common missteps that result in poor or no froth. The video on the right identifies these mistakes and shows how to correct them.

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6 Common Milk Frothing Mistakes

It is also important not to overheat your milk. The milk will have the sweetest and most velvety texture between 140-150 F°. As you froth past this point the milk will lose its sweetness, the froth will take on a gummier texture, and eventually the milk will scald and begin to taste burnt. The video on the right explains how to use a frothing thermometer so that the milk is kept within the ideal range.

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How To Use a Thermometer to Froth Milk

Flow Issues

The first place to start with any flow issue is cleaning the machine. Before going through these steps please make sure the machine is cleaned according to the Cleaning & Maintenance section of this article.

No Steam From Wand

• If the gauge is within the 1-1.2 Bar range then the steam wand is likely blocked.

• Remove the tip from the steam wand and test the flow. If flow is restored then the tip needs to be cleaned and reattached.
• If the flow is still blocked then there may be a blockage in the steam wand itself. Clean the wand by using a pipe brush that has synthetic or plastic bristles; metal bristles can damage the wand. Then soak the wand in a solution of hot water and backflushing powder for ten minutes. Test flow again.
• If there still isn't flow then there may be a blockage farther back in the steam circuit. The machine may need to be professionally cleaned to remove the blockage.

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How to Diagnose Hot Water and Steam System Obstructions

• If the gauge is not reaching 1-1.2 Bar, but it is pressurizing some, then the steam temperature setting on the PID may need to be adjusted. Instructions for changing the PID settings can be found in the section of this article that discusses programming the PID.
• If the gauge is sitting at zero then the steam boiler is not building pressure for some reason.

• If the machine is spewing a lot of steam from the top as it is heating up then the vacuum relief valve may be stuck open. This valve is supposed to close once the machine produces enough steam pressure. Instructions for cleaning or replacing the vacuum relief valve are found in the video below. The machine pictured in the video is different, but the same exact process applies to this machine.
• The high limit switch may be tripped. The high limit switch is an internal killswitch which prevents damage to the machine caused by power surges or the machine overheating.

Poor Or No Flow From Grouphead

If the steam/hot water for the machine is working fine then there is likely something causing a blockage or pressure issue in the brew circuit. Otherwise refer to the section of this article that discusses the machine not flowing at all.

• If a water softener is attached to the inlet line of the machine, it may be preventing water from flowing. Please remove the softener and see if the flow improves.
• The grouphead is dirty and needs to be cleaned.

• Taking apart the grouphead for manual cleaning is the first step. This should be done on a monthly basis. The instructions can be found here.

• • If cleaning the grouphead restores flow to the grouphead, the machine should be immediately backflushed to prevent further flow issues.

Instructions for backflushing a lever style machine are found in the video below:

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Maintaining Your Espresso Machine - Backflushing

• There might be a kinked, broken, or loose line somewhere in the machine. Remove the top of the machine and take a look inside to see if you see any obvious issues.
• There might be an issue with one of the internal valve assemblies, which may need to be cleaned or replaced.

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How To Clean E61 Brew Group Mushroom, Jet and Top Valve

1. 1. The brew pressure valve may need to be adjusted, it may be set too low. Instructions for adjusting this valve can be found in the video below. The machine in the video is a different unit, but the process is identical.
   2. The plumb valve may be set to the incorrect position. Make sure the valve is turned to the appropriate position for the water supply option you are using.

No Hot Water From Wand

1. Check the brew function on the machine and see if water is able to flow through the machine for this function.
   1. If the brew water is not flowing either refer to the No Flow At All section of this article
   2. If the brew water flows but is not hot refer to the On But Not Heating section of this article.
2. Check the steam function of the machine. If you are able to steam then the hot water circuit must be heating and pressuring, since these functions share the same boiler, and hot water is expelled by steam pressure.

1. Check the steam gauge of the machine. Does it show pressure? Typical range for the steam gauge should be 1-1.2 Bar.
   1. If the gauge is within the 1-1.2 Bar range then the hot water wand is likely blocked.
      1. Remove the tip from the hot water wand and test the flow. If flow is restored then the tip needs to be cleaned and reattached.
      2. If the flow is still blocked then there may be a blockage in the hot water wand itself. Clean the wand by using a pipe brush that has synthetic or plastic bristles; metal bristles can damage the wand. Then soak the wand in a solution of hot water and backflushing powder for ten minutes. Test flow again.
      3. If there still isn't flow then there may be a blockage farther back in the steam circuit. The machine may need to be professionally cleaned to remove the blockage.

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How to Diagnose Hot Water and Steam System Obstructions

1. 1. If the gauge is not reaching 1-1.2 Bar, but it is pressurizing some, then the steam temperature setting on the PID may need to be adjusted. Instructions for changing the PID settings can be found in the section of this article that discusses programming the PID.
   2. If the gauge is sitting at zero then the steam boiler is not building pressure for some reason.
      1. If the machine is spewing a lot of steam from the top as it is heating up then the vacuum relief valve may be stuck open. This valve is supposed to close once the machine produces enough steam pressure. Instructions for cleaning or replacing the vacuum relief valve are found in the video below. The machine pictured in the video is different, but the same exact process applies to this machine.
      2. The high limit switch may be tripped. The high limit switch is an internal killswitch which prevents damage to the machine caused by power surges or the machine overheating. Instructions for resetting the high limit switches are found in the video below. The machine pictured in the video is different, but the same exact process applies to this machine.

No Flow At All

If the machine is set to the plumbed mode:

1. First try switching to the reservoir mode temporarily and see if it resolves the issue. If this resolves the flow issue, then the issue is specific to the inlet plumb line, and you should go to the next step. Otherwise keep the machine in reservoir mode and skip down to the next section which deals with testing the "No Flow" issue for the machine in reservoir mode.
2. Return the machine to plumb mode. The next thing to check is to see if we can isolate where the flow issue is occurring for the plumb line. Try putting the plumb line hosing into an external bucket or container filled with water and see if the machine will draw water from this source. If it can't, then there may be a blockage somewhere in the plumb line itself.
3. If you are able to draw water from the plumb line, then there may be an issue with the plumbing supplying this line.

If the machine is set to use the reservoir:

1. If the pump does not sound like it is activating:
   • Check to make sure the water tank is filled, and the machine isn't indicating that the water tank is empty.
   1. If the tank is empty, refill it.
   2. If the tank is full, but the machine thinks the water tank is empty then the tank may not be seated correctly. Make sure there isn't anything blocking the tank from sitting flush inside the machine.
   • Remove the cover of the machine and check for any loose or disconnected wires.
   • Make sure there aren't any kinked or pinched hoses.
   • There may be an issue with the water tank sensor.
     
   1. 1. Remove the drip tray from the front and make sure the plumb switch is turned off.
      2. Remove the reservoir and make sure the float magnet is facing the sensor. The magnet on the float should be facing the front left corner of the tank, where it meets up with the sensor.
      3. Check to make sure the wire for the water level sensor isn't loose/disconnected on the inside of the machine.
   • There may be an issue with the pump powering on. Check to make sure the pump doesn't have any loose/disconnected wires.
2. If the pump does sound like it is activating:
   • Check the water tank to make sure it is filled and that both the inlet line and the return lines are inserted into the tank. Make sure the inlet line in particular is below the surface of the water.
   • If you are using the water softener on the inlet line, try removing it and see if water can flow through the machine.
   • Open up the machine. Make sure there aren't any kinked or pinched hoses anywhere.
   • There may be a stuck valve inside the machine.

Machine Is Leaking

Between Portafilter & Grouphead

If the machine is leaking from between the grouphead and the portafilter then the grouphead gasket is either pushed out of place and needs to be reinserted properly, or the gasket is worn out. Typically, grouphead gaskets will wear out in approximately 6 months to a year depending on how heavily the machine is used. Premature wear to this gasket can be caused by using excessive force when attaching the portafilter. It is important to distinguish where the leaking is occurring. If the leaking is originating from farther up on the grouphead assembly and then draining down to where the portafilter is attached, then refer to the section of this article which discusses leaking from the grouphead.

If the leaking is coming from between the portafilter and grouphead where you twist the handle on, then the gasket will need to be replaced. Instructions for replacing the group gasket can be found in section 7.3 of the machine manual. Replacement group gaskets can be purchased here. You can try using the instructions to clean and reseat the current gasket. If that does not resolve the leak then the gasket will need to be replaced.

The gasket can get stuck in the grouphead from wear or excessive heat exposure. To remove the gasket take some self-tapping screws and partially screw them into the group gasket. Make sure not to go all the way through the gasket because you can scratch/dent the grouphead if you go too far. Then use a pair of pliers to pull on the screws and the gasket will pull out with them.

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Replacing the Group Gasket on Your E61 Group Head

From The E-61

If there is leaking from one of the E-61 valves, or the E-61 lever then there are some o-rings and valve assemblies that should be cleaned and lubricated. Instructions for cleaning the entire E-61 can be found by clicking here.

From Bottom Of Machine

1. Check the water tank and drip tray to make sure there are no cracks or breaks where water can escape. Make sure they are properly positioned on the machine.
2. Open the machine and check all of the connections to make sure they are securely attached.
   • Examine the pump and boiler assemblies to see if there are any cracks in them. If the machine was exposed to subfreezing conditions without being properly drained it can cause these components to crack. These parts will need to be replaced if they are cracked.
   • Make sure both the inlet line and the outlet line on the pump are securely connected.
   • Check the various valves located on top of the boiler assembly.
   1. If water is leaking from the relief valves, then the boiler may be overfilling. Distilled, reverse osmosis, and zero water are not compatible with this style of machine as the water level probe depends on minerals in the water to detect its presence. These water types do not contain minerals, and so the machine will continuously fill until it overflows, usually resulting in water leaking from the relief valves.
   2. If water is leaking from the relief valves even though you are using a water that contains minerals, then you may need to clean the water level probe.

1. If the machine is plumbed, then there may be too much pressure at the inlet line. The pressure restrictor may need to be adjusted, or if you do not have a pressure restrictor installed you may need to install one.
2. If the valves are leaking directly from where they screw into the boiler, then they may have a broken seal. Try resealing the valves by using white teflon plumbers tape or food safe permabond and screwing them back into the boiler.
3. If there are any broken or cracked hoses, or hoses with pinhole leaks, they will need to be replaced.

1. If you cannot find the source of the leak, it's possible the water you are seeing is from water spilled when refilling the machine, or from the drip tray being out of position. It is also possible to run the unit with the casing off to help identify the source of the leak; precautions should be taken to protect yourself from any exposed wiring or hot water or steam that comes from the machine if you attempt this.

Steam From Top Of Machine

If there is steam coming from the top of the machine then one of the relief valves is venting steam.

1. If the steam is leaking from the machine while it is heating up, with more and more steam coming from the top as the machine heats more, then the steam is coming from the vacuum relief valve.
   • The vacuum relief valve is meant to vent steam until a certain amount of pressure has built up in the boiler. It is normal for this valve to vent steam as the machine is heating. Once enough steam pressure is built up in the boiler the valve will pop closed.
   • If the machine is fully heated and the vacuum relief valve is still not closing then it may need to be cleaned. Instructions for cleaning or replacing the vacuum relief valve are found in the video below. The machine pictured in the video is different, but the same exact procedure applies.
   • If cleaning the vacuum relief valve has not resolved the issue, then the vacuum relief valve may be broken and will need to be replaced.
2. If the steam is leaking from the machine after it is fully heated, then the pressure relief valve may be relieving excess steam pressure.
   • The steam boiler temperature may need to be lowered. If your machine features a pressure gauge it should not read any higher than 1.2 bar. Program the steam boiler temperature lower and lower until the relief valve stops opening and the pressure gauge reads 1.2 bar or lower.
   • If lowering the temperature is not helping, then the pressure relief valve may be stuck open.

From Steam Wand Or Hot Water Tap

1. If either wand is leaking from the end of the wand, it means the steam/hot water valve is not fully closed.
   • Make sure the knob is securely in the closed position.
   • If the knob feels loose, or doesn't appear to be properly engaging, then there may be a loose or broken part in the knob assembly. The steam knob assembly of this machine is not considered user serviceable, and the machine should be sent in for repair.
   • If the leaking persists, then the corresponding valve may need to be replaced.
2. If the wand is leaking between the tip and the arm of the wand during use, there is an o-ring that is broken, missing, or out of position.
   
   1. The steam tip o-ring is easy to access. Simply unscrew the steam tip and there will be a small o-ring between the tip the wand arm. Inspect this o-ring for damage and clean it.
   2. The hot water tip is a little more complicated, but still easily accessed and cleaned.
      1. First unscrew the tip assembly from the wand arm.
      2. There will be an o-ring between the tip assembly and the wand arm. If the leaking was coming from here, then this o-ring needs to be cleaned and repositioned, or if it is damaged it will need to be replaced.
         

         The red arrow points to the o-ring for the hot water tip.
      3. If the leaking was coming from farther down on the tip, then the tip will need to be disassembled further to troubleshoot. To disassemble the tip further simply twist the two halves of the tip assembly in opposite directions. Alternatively you can screw the tip back onto the machine and then just unscrew the bottom half of the tip; this will give you a better grip on the tip to unscrew the two halves.
         
      4. Once the tip is apart it will separate into three separate pieces. There will be three metal pieces and another o-ring. Inspect the o-ring for cleanliness and damage. The metal pieces can be soaked in a solution of hot water and backflushing powder to remove any scale buildup on them.
         

         The disassembled hot water tip.
3. If the wand is leaking from the ball joint, then there may an o-ring that is worn out or out of position.
   
   1. These instructions apply to both the steam and hot water wands. First remove the wand arm. This can be done by unscrewing the hex shaped nut at the top of the arm, at the top of the assembly listed as part 22 on p.10 of the parts diagram.
   2. Once the wand is removed you may have parts stick to the valve assembly. Do not lose these parts.
   3. If the leaking was coming from the top of the securing nut, check the o-ring (part 27) to make sure it is clean and not damaged.
   4. Inspect the tension spring to make sure it is in good condition. The spring should be really firm. If it is easily compressed then it may need to be replaced. At the bottom of the spring are parts 24 and 26. These mate with the ball joint on the wand to let it pivot. Make sure these parts are clean and reinstall them.

Machine Not Heating Or Powering On

No Power

1. Make sure the machine is plugged into an appropriate power source.
   • Do not use the machine on a surge protector. This machine has a high power draw, more than a typical kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator or a microwave. Surge protectors are typically not rated to handle the amperage this machine requires.
   • Try using the machine on a different outlet, and make sure the machine is the only appliance plugged into that outlet.
2. Make sure the power switches are functioning properly and not broken. If the machine isn't powering on try pressing and holding the power button in the on position to see if the machine turns on. If you are able to power the machine on this way then the power switch needs to be replaced.
3. If the machine recently had a leak, had water spilled on it, or any other exposure to moisture then the machine may be shorting out. Try letting the machine sit unplugged for 48 hours to make sure there isn't a short caused by moisture.

Brew Not Heating

1. Give the machine sufficient time to heat up. A heating time of 20-30 minutes is recommended for prosumer style machines for it to be sufficiently heated for brewing. Make sure the portafilter is attached during heating.
2. Make sure the heating indicator is on. If the heating indicator is not on, then the machine will not heat. Typically this light will be off if the machine is out of water or not able to fill the boiler.
3. Make sure the brew temperature is programmed to an acceptable temperature. Optimum temperature for brewing is between 195-205 F°. Make sure the PID is programmed to a temperature in this range. Instructions for adjusting the PID can be found here.

   Additionally the temperature probe may not be operating properly and may need to be cleaned. The brew temperature will usually wander several degrees or randomly drop if the probe is malfunctioning. The temperature probe is listed as part 15 on p.8 of the machine's parts diagram.

   1. Use an open ended wrench or adjustable wrench to unscrew the temperature probe from the boiler.
   2. Soak the temperature probe in a solution of hot water and backflushing powder.
   3. If there is considerable scale buildup on the probe use a scrubby sponge to help remove the scale. Do not use any sort of metal scrubbing pad to clean the probe as it can damage it.
   4. Reinstall the probe and see if the brew temperature improves.
4. The high limit switch may be tripped and needs to be reset. Instructions for resetting the high limit switches are found in the video below. The video is of a different machine, but the same exact process applies to this machine.
5. The heating element may be broken and may require replacement.

Steam Not Heating

• If the machine is producing steam, but you think it's not producing enough steam, make sure that you are purging the line before frothing. To purge the line simply open the steam knob and let steam come through until it changes from mostly water to mostly steam. When steam leaves the boiler and hits the cold wand it is going to condense back into water. If you do not purge the line it will affect the way the steam wand froths.
• Make sure the steam boiler is turned on for the machine. Most prosumer units feature a switch, button, or PID menu option to turn the steam boiler off.
• Give the machine sufficient time to heat up. A heating time of 20-30 minutes is recommended for prosumer style machines for it to be sufficiently heated for brewing. Make sure the portafilter is attached during heating.
• Make sure the heating indicator is on. If the heating indicator is not on, then the machine will not heat. Typically this light will be off if the machine is out of water or not able to fill the boiler.
• Make sure the steam temperature is programmed to an acceptable temperature. Instructions for adjusting the PID can be found here.
• The high limit switch may be tripped and needs to be reset. Instructions for resetting the high limit switches are found in the video below. The video is of a different machine, but the same exact process applies to this machine.
• The heating element may be broken and may require replacement.

On But Not Heating

1. If your machine is running off of the reservoir, make sure it is filled with water. Don't use distilled or reverse osmosis water, as the boilers rely on some minerals to detect water level.
2. Make sure both the steam and the brew boilers are turned on. Most prosumer machines allow for individuals boilers to be turned off for energy efficiency.
3. The steam boiler takes priority. If the steam boiler isn't heating for some reason, the brew boiler won't heat. Try turning the steam boiler off and see if the brew boiler starts heating.
4. There is a loose, disconnected, or broken wire inside the machine. Remove the top of the machine and inspect the wiring.
5. The high limit switch of the machine may have tripped. Instructions for resetting the high limit switches are found in the video below. The video is of a different machine, but the same exact process applies to this machine.
6. The outlet the machine is plugged into is not rated to handle the power draw of the machine.
7. In very rare cases both heating elements will have broken simultaneously. This will happen only if the machine is exposed to a severe power surge.

Portafilter Handle Not Fitting On Machine

1. On all new machines, the portafilter may or may not fit perpendicular to the machine. This is perfectly normal. This is because the grouphead gasket requires time to wear in before this can happen. As long as you can get the portafilter hand tight onto the machine and brew without leaking, then the machine is operating properly.
2. Too much coffee may be dosed into the portafilter. If there is too much coffee in the portafilter, it can press into the shower screen and prevent the portafilter tightening all the way. Reduce the amount of coffee in the portafilter and try again. If you see an indentation from the shower screen in the grounds, then you’ve added too much.
3. Check the filter baskets for dings, dents, or any sort of warping. A filter basket that is malformed can prevent the filter basket from sealing up against the group gasket.
4. The group gasket has slipped out of place or needs replacing. Please refer to the section of this article which discusses gasket issues for instructions on how to test the gasket or replace it.

Diagrams & Manuals

ECM Synchronika
Electrical Diagram:	Not Available
Hydraulic Diagram:	Not Available
Machine Manual:
Parts Diagram:
Service Manual	Not Available
Startup Guide:	Not Available

Specifications