In our Fairmeadow Eichler the pump suddenly sounds harsh. Is it failing?

Possibly, but not always. Hardened mounts, a nearly empty tank or air in the line all make a pump sound rough. Refill the tank and listen again. If the harsh note stays and shots run thin, have it tested before the pump fails outright.

How often should we backflush a lever-group Rocket?

A plain water backflush after a day of shots keeps the group clean. Detergent backflushing is for once in a while, because detergent also washes grease off the cam inside the group. If the lever starts to feel stiff, the cam probably needs grease, and we do that on the bench.

The brew gauge reads higher during a shot than it did last year. Is that a problem?

The gauge shows what the expansion valve allows. If it reads higher than before at the same grind, the valve may have shifted or scaled. It is worth a check, and on the bench we set it against a test gauge.

ROCKET ESPRESSO · PALO ALTO

Service · All Rocket Espresso Models

Rocket Espresso Machine Repair · Palo Alto, CA

Rocket Espresso repair for Palo Alto Eichlers and Old Palo Alto kitchens, picked up and bench-diagnosed.

$150 pickup deposit. Pickup, bench diagnosis, and return are included. The deposit is not credited toward the repair. Repair work is quoted separately.
Bench diagnosis: up to one week. Most repairs: 3–4 weeks.
Same-day pickup may be available. Same-day repair is not offered.
CSLB #1136642

Call (925) 999-4095

Rocket Espresso in Palo Alto

Rocket Espresso in Palo Alto kitchens.

An open Eichler kitchen hides nothing. With living room, dining area and kitchen under one flat roof, a vibratory pump that has started to rattle or a valve that hisses after it closes is hard to ignore. Greenmeadow and Fairmeadow on the 94306 side have whole tracts of these houses, and in them a new sound is often the first sign a Rocket is wearing.

Noise has measurable causes. A tired vibratory pump, a pump mount that has worked loose, or an expansion valve opening early each sounds different on the bench. We collect from the Eichler tracts, Old Palo Alto, Crescent Park and Midtown, test the pump against a gauge, and send a written quote before anything is replaced.

$150 pickup deposit. Pickup, bench diagnosis, and return are included. The deposit is not credited toward the repair. Repair work is quoted separately. Bench diagnosis can take up to one week; most repairs take 3–4 weeks. Same-day pickup may be available, but same-day repair is not offered. 6 months on parts and labor; 90 days on consumables.

Common repairs we do

What we repair on the bench.

Vibratory pump rattling louder than it used to. The pump sits on rubber mounts that harden with heat. Once they stiffen, pump vibration passes straight into the frame, and a worn pump adds its own harsh note. We replace the mounts, test pump output, and change the pump only when its pressure has fallen off.
Shower screen clogged and shots pouring unevenly. Coffee oils bake onto the shower screen and the plate behind it, and water leaves through a few clear holes instead of the whole screen. Shots channel and taste uneven. We remove the screen, clean or replace it along with the group gasket, and check the flow pattern with the portafilter out.
Hot water knob that will not close all the way. A worn seal or scale on the seat lets hot water keep seeping from the spout. We rebuild the valve, clean the seat, and test it at full boiler pressure so it shuts off with a light turn.

Models we service

Rocket Espresso product lines.

espresso machines

Pricing and warranty

What it costs. What we stand behind.

$150

Pickup deposit. Pickup, bench diagnosis, and return included. Repair quoted separately.
3–4 weeks

Most repairs. Bench diagnosis can take up to one week.
6 / 90

6 months on repair parts. 90 days on consumables.

Nearby cities

Rocket Espresso service in neighboring cities.

More cities

Rocket Espresso across our service area.

FAQ

Rocket Espresso in Palo Alto questions, answered.

In our Fairmeadow Eichler the pump suddenly sounds harsh. Is it failing?

Possibly, but not always. Hardened mounts, a nearly empty tank or air in the line all make a pump sound rough. Refill the tank and listen again. If the harsh note stays and shots run thin, have it tested before the pump fails outright.
How often should we backflush a lever-group Rocket?

A plain water backflush after a day of shots keeps the group clean. Detergent backflushing is for once in a while, because detergent also washes grease off the cam inside the group. If the lever starts to feel stiff, the cam probably needs grease, and we do that on the bench.
The brew gauge reads higher during a shot than it did last year. Is that a problem?

The gauge shows what the expansion valve allows. If it reads higher than before at the same grind, the valve may have shifted or scaled. It is worth a check, and on the bench we set it against a test gauge.
What does the Rocket Espresso pickup deposit cover?

$150 pickup deposit. Pickup, bench diagnosis, and return are included. The deposit is not credited toward the repair. Repair work is quoted separately.
How long does Rocket Espresso bench repair take?

Bench diagnosis can take up to one week; most repairs take 3–4 weeks. Same-day pickup may be available, but same-day repair is not offered.
What warranty applies to Rocket Espresso coffee-machine repair?

6 months on parts and labor; 90 days on consumables.

Need Rocket Espresso service in Palo Alto?

Tell us what the machine is doing. We will confirm pickup.