My 5 year old Dualit Espressivo broke on Saturday - disaster!! I was in the throes of making a coffee when the pump stopped, so no steamed microfoamed milk...
Off with the back, check of voltages etc., taking extreme care because 240V + H2O is a Bad Thing. I located what seemed to be the pump, and there were volts on the terminals. Hmm. It’s an Ulka EP5FM according to the label. Google... Many people offering to sell me one, but the guys at
ulka-ceme.co.uk aka Scintilla Pumps are the UK distributors. They sell a whole range of this type of pump, and the documentation shows that the crucial points are voltage/power, pressure (15 bar) and duty cycle (2m on/1m off). I can buy one online but I call them... they’re about 15 miles away, and are happy to sell me a replacement. We reckon it’s worth a lunch trip, so bowl over and it’s only £16 direct, vs £19.60 mail order. Done. The expensive part was lunch - £50!! Planning to skip dinner though...
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| New pump fitted - looks like the old one! |
Actually changing the pump was incredibly easy.
- Unplug machine (!)
- Undo 6 screws in back plate, remove
- Remove two spade terminals from red-bodied pump shown above, also remove over-temp sensor (white plastic block tucked into slot on left side of pump)
- Unscrew pipe coupling from top of pump
- Push pump down against lower flexible rubber mounting, stretch top mounting over top of pump
- Use pliers to hold lower pipe clamp open while removing input pipe
- Reverse all of this with the new pump
- Note that there are 3 machine and 3 self-tapping screws for the back plate, with no obvious distinguishing characteristics on the holes - test for correct locations, replace plate
- Plug in machine, fill with water, make a coffee. Yum.
Added feature: Pump is considerably more quiet that it used to be! No idea why that would be, apart from it's new.
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| Pump components |
The actual pump is a vibration pump, apparently. It's incredibly simple:
- Large 240V coil
- Nylon sleeve with metal collars inside coil
- Spring-loaded piston inside sleeve
- One-way valve on upper exit from pump
- 50/60Hz alternating current generates fluctuating magnetic field, which vibrates piston up and down, causing liquid to be pushed up through valve and, not surprisingly, not return
This repair would work for pretty much all this class of coffee machines. It's about 10% or less of the original price, so well worth it.
Interesting post, but I'm looking at a problem with the other end of the pump outlet pipe - it just blew out of the brewhead assembly and I can't see how to re-seal the connection - any ideas?
ReplyDeleteWow that’s boring. I sold the machine to a friend, having bought a new Gaggia Classic the morning it broke, so I can’t look to see if I can help.
DeleteThanks John. Actually it was easy once I figured out how the connections are made and extracted the end from the thermobloc - replacement pipe from Dualit £3.60 inc postage!
ReplyDeleteNot bad for a ten year old machine.
Really helpful page, thanks. Had problem with my DCM2X which is almost identical. Mine has an additional pipe on the top coupling, so needs removing first. There's more cable ties securing the tubing too. You can get 2.5mm ties as well as the pump from Amazon Prime so next day fix is possible. The internet suggests that the spring or the little plastic ball inside the valve of the pump is the common cause of the pump failing, so even cheaper repair might be possible.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, saved me loads of wasted time and effort, cheers
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of informative content, especially when it's this good. Your views are interesting and I really like that. The pump is designed to fit most Ulka Pumps electrical systems. Listed below is a brief review of the product.
ReplyDeleteIt's the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!| I truly love your blog.. For more than 20 years,Ulka Pumps has been providing quality solenoid pumps, solenoid valves, and industrial products with outstanding reliability for a variety of different applications. Our products are manufactured proudly in Italy, built to the highest standards to meet the expectations of all our clients.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall the last time I enjoyed an informative article like I have yours. You've exceeded my high standards and expectations with your excellent writing skills. You must have higher standards than I do. For more than 20 years, Ulka Pumps has been providing quality solenoid pumps, solenoid valves, and industrial products with outstanding reliability for a variety of different applications. Our products are manufactured proudly in Italy, built to the highest standards to meet the expectations of all our clients.
ReplyDeleteYou've exceeded my high standards and expectations with your excellent writing skills. You must have higher standards than I do. For more than 20 years, Ulka Pumps has been providing quality solenoid pumps, solenoid valves, and industrial products with outstanding reliability for a variety of different applications. Our products are manufactured proudly in Italy, built to the highest standards to meet the expectations of all our clients.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging article, thanks. I have an Ulka pump on order, due to make this fix asap. Can't currently figure out how to unscrew that pipe fitting to remove the dud pump. But knowing it's straightforward is a boost!
ReplyDelete