LUCCA Tempo: Priming the Vibratory Pump

If the pump on your machine is excessively loud and there is no water being released from the grouphead, the pump may be struggling to prime itself. Follow these instructions to force prime the pump on your Lucca Tempo.

Tools required:

• Wash bottle
  
  

1. Remove the reservoir from the machine. Place a dish towel in the reservoir area to absorb any spills.
   
2. Remove the filter from the end of the inlet tubing. Sometimes this can become clogged over time. Test the machine with the filter removed to evaluate if this is the source of the priming issues. If so, try soaking the filter in some warm water with mild dish detergent. Gently scrub the screen with a soft brush to remove any films that may have developed, or replace it outright.
   
3. Once the filter has been eliminated as a possible complication, next connect the inlet tubing over the tip of the wash bottle. Ensure the bottle is completely or nearly full to be the most effective at generating pressure.
   
4. Power on the machine and press the shot button. The pump will run. Simultaneously, apply pressure by squeezing the bottle. This will force water into the pump and assist with priming.
   
5. If successful, the tone of the pump will change and the volume will decrease. The pump will begin to draw water from the bottle on its own. You can now remove the tubing from the wash bottle, reinstall the filter and reservoir, and resume normal use of your machine.
   

CAUTION: Running the machine with an under-filled boiler can cause damage to the heating element. When resuming use of the machine, be sure to run the grouphead for at least 30s or until water begins to flow. This will ensure the boiler is completely filled with water to protect the heating element

Note that to preserve the health of your pump the shot button should be engaged for no longer than 60 seconds continuously. Vibratory pumps have a 1:1 duty cycle, meaning for every second they are used they require a second to cool down before being used again

See also:

• LUCCA Solo: Replacing the Vibratory Pump