Gaggia Classic GT: How to Manually Prime Pumps

This guide explains how to manually prime the pumps on the Gaggia Classic GT in the case they become air-locked. While the machine is excellent at pumping water, it cannot pump air effectively. If this occurs, you’ll need to manually push water into the pump system to restore normal function.Damp rag or cloth (to simulate water reservoir detection)A small priming pump or a turkey baster with a bulbThe pump can become air-locked if it tries to pump air instead of water. While rare, the most likely time for this to occur is after the machine has been emptied of water for transportation or storage.Symptoms include:The pump is running, but the water level in the reservoir is not decreasing. You can test this by activating the brew switch as if you were going to pull a shot.Louder than normal pump noise. A dry pump amplifies the normal vibration noises the pump makes when it runs. The Gaggia Classic GT has two pumps. One services the steam boiler and the other services the brew boiler. While it is possible for them to both be airlocked, it's not very likely. Luckily, determining which pump needs priming is pretty easy. When you turn the machine on, the first thing it will do is see if the steam boiler needs any water. If it does, it will activate the steam boiler pump. If the loud pumping noise starts on its own when the machine turns on, then that's the pump that's airlocked. If, when you turn the machine on, the pump doesn't run automatically, or does run, but sounds normal and stops after a few seconds, then it's not the steam pump. To be extra sure, try activating the brew switch like you're pouring a shot. If the loud pump sound begins when the brew pump is activated, then that's the pump with the airlock. Remove the water reservoir from the machine.Fill a priming pump or turkey baster with water, then squeeze out any air left in the tool before attaching.Position the priming pump or baster bulb securely over the reservoir inlet fitting. This fitting is located under where the reservoir was seated. Drape a damp rag over the reservoir sensor area to simulate the presence of water.Power on the machine. The pump should activate, even with the reservoir removed.While the pump is running, firmly squeeze water from the priming tool into the pump inlet.When the pump begins drawing water on its own, immediately turn off the machine to avoid sucking air back into the pump.Warning: Do not continue running the pump once water has been taken in, as it can reintroduce air to the pump.Drape a damp rag over the reservoir sensor area to simulate the presence of water.Power on the machine. The pump may activate automatically to top off the steam boiler. If it does, wait until it stops before moving on to the next step.Once the machine is done running the pump to fill the steam boiler, activate the brew switch as if you were pulling a shot. While the pump is running, firmly squeeze water from the priming tool into the pump inlet.When the pump begins drawing water on its own, immediately turn off the machine to avoid sucking air back into the pump.Warning: Do not continue running the pump once water has been taken in, as it can reintroduce air to the pump.Reinstall the water reservoir with fresh water.Power the machine back on.Verify that the pumps sound normal and the water reservoir level decreases during operation.

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