Leverheads: What's that sucking sound?

[sosha]

I'm loving the PV; I can actually drink my espresso shot without milk for the first time.  I've been using 16g in the double basket, with a 10sec pre-infuse, the 2 shorter pulls for the shot.

When the lever gets to a point of resistance during the up/spring movement, I hear this  sucking sound.   What's up with that?  I've been trying to slow it down, but I'm still getting the noise.  The puck is nice and dry at the end.

Talk to me, mighty gurus.......

[milowebailey]

I'm guessing that is the water being sucked or rushing into the chamber...

[sosha]

Normal?

[milowebailey]

If it has water in it that would be normal.

If you think about how a lever works.  The lever moves the piston up causing a suction and when it passes a point in the chamber that the hole from the boiler is at it fills with water (sucking sound you describe).  Then either the spring or you press the water through the puck.

[sosha]

Phew.   Thanks, Larry.

A day off of work spent at home makes you do weird things, like listen to the lever.......

[expy98]

mine doesn't make any sound unless the seals are dry and needs lubing which is a bit of fun to do so.  But then again I don't
use it frequently so may not have ran into that.

[jspain]

sosha,

My PVL doesn't make a sound that comes to mind.....? I'll fire her up in the morning and pay closer attention. Milo has a lot more experience and I'd trust his evaluation.... The proof is in the shot and if it is good, all is well. I'll post back after pulling in the morning.

Welcome to lever land! 

ps, my preinfusion is 5 seconds. Check out Staylor's video. It's a great help.

[sosha]

I've been watching his video, along with too many others.  He uses 12g, which I'll try tomorrow.