
Older Breville Barista Express BES870CBXL won't build pressure past pre-infusion, already cleaned/descaled with vinegar
Bought an older BES870CBXL used. It has the older fixed upper burr with no internal burr adjustment. Machine is cosmetically very clean, and the previous owner barely used it, or so it appears.
Problem: pressure gauge only reaches around the pre-infusion range. At external grind setting 1, espresso still flows very quickly with low pressure.
Video: https://imgur.com/a/xLj0GPH
What I've done:
- Cleaning tablet/backflush cycle
- Descale with 50:50 vinegar/water
- Fresh-water rinse
- Water tank full/seated
- Group head, hot water and steam all function
- Tested the silicone Breville cleaning disc, but mine is the older version with the small hole, so I realize that's not a true blind-disc pressure test
Has anyone else faced similar issues and resolved them?
Thank you in advance.