The information below will show you how to diagnose water or coffee flow issues with your Gaggia Classic, Classic Pro and Evo Pro then guide you through a home repair.
After you go through the "Flow Test" and "Diagnose your Flow Issues" videos, you will find some common causes for flow issues and links on how to fix them.
Note: If you have no flow at all through the steam wand but the pump goes on, it could be that the pump needs priming. Check out our article on how to force prime your Gaggia Classic for a resolution.
The following two videos will help you determine where your issue is and point you in the right direction to fix it.
Step 1: Conduct a Flow Test
The video below will walk you through the process of conducting a flow test on your Gaggia Classic espresso machine. This will help determine if either the pump is bad or you have clogs in your hydraulic system.
When you conduct a flow test on your machine, you should expect a flow rate of about 9 grams/second or a water output about 3.25 fluid ounces in 10 seconds. If your machine is flowing at the appropriate rate, your issue is unlikely to be flow related. Check out our support page for more possibilities for what might be causing your issue.
If your machine is not flowing at the appropriate rate, however, move on to Step 2.
Video: Flow Test
Step 2: Diagnose Flow Issues
If you've determined that you are experiencing flow issues in your Gaggia Classic, review the video below labeled, "Diagnose your Flow Issues." This will help you figure out what is causing your flow issue and point you in a direction to fix it.
Video: Diagnosing Flow Issues
Common Causes:
Most of the time, if your Gaggia machine isn’t flowing as it should, it’s because of one of the following reasons. Click on the links below to jump to an article or video that will help you resolve the specific problem you’re experiencing.
Three-Way Solenoid Valve Clogged:
During normal operation or from the descaling process, chunks of scale can break loose and clog the three-way solenoid valve. This article will show you how to clean the three-way solenoid valve.
Descaling your machine regularly will help prevent significant scale build-up, so your machine will be less likely to clog. How often you need to descale your machine depends on how hard your water is, though every 90 days is a good rule of thumb for standard, everyday use.
We also recommend using the BWT Bestsave S Anti-Scale Filter for additional protection against scale buildup.
Water Intake Line Misaligned
When removing and replacing the water reservoir, it’s possible for the water intake line to become bent upwards so it sits above the water level. This prevents water from being drawn from the reservoir.
Here’s how to perform a reservoir tube check.
Brewing Components Clogged
After repeated use, coffee can build up on the brew group and shower screen, shower holding plate, and the filter basket(s) which may restrict flow.
Here’s how to perform routine group head cleaning and maintenance.
Coffee is Ground Too Fine
If you’ve ground your coffee too fine, it could become too compact and restrict coffee flow.
Here’s a helpful guide on how to fix your espresso extractions.
Pump Failure
If you’ve been putting your machine through its paces for a while, you may need to replace the pump.
Here’s an easy-to-follow process for how to diagnose and replace your pump.
Boiler is Clogged
If you’ve descaled your machine and it continues to clog, it’s possible that you have scale buildup in the boiler itself. If this is the case, scale from the boiler will make its way into other lines in your machine, which can cause blockages.
Here’s a detailed explanation of how to access, clean, and (if necessary) replace your boiler.
No Flow Through the Steam Wand
If you’re not getting good flow through your steam wand, the first step is to check for a clogged steam tip. If your wand tip is clear, you may need to replace your steam valve in order to restore flow.
Here’s a guide on how to replace the steam valve.
Set Up a Repair
We know—espresso machines are complicated. If you’ve given it a shot and can’t figure out how to fix the issue, we’ve got your back.
Setting up a repair with one of our skilled technicians is as easy as clicking here.
Warranty Disclaimer: Failure of normal wear and tear items such as group gaskets, seals and shower screens are not covered under warranty. Issues due to scale build up or lack of maintenance are not covered.