Gaggia Internal Bypass Leak / 3-Way Valve Bleed

Water leaking into the drip tray constantly, even when not brewing

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Worn brew group O-rings, Leaking 3-way solenoid valve, Cracked hydraulic manifold, Overpressure valve dumping to drip tray

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the machine before internal inspection.

Observations:

  • Empty and dry the drip tray, then run a few brew cycles and monitor how quickly it fills.
  • If the tray fills rapidly with clear water, suspect an internal bypass leak.

Internal checks (advanced):

  • Remove the cover and trace the hoses leading to the drip tray.
  • Identify whether the leak originates from the 3-way valve, OPV, or brew group return line.
  • Inspect O-rings on the brew group inlet and outlet and replace if worn or flattened.

If the 3-way valve or OPV is leaking internally, replace the faulty valve. If the hydraulic manifold is cracked, it must be replaced. This repair is moderately complex and may be best handled by a technician.

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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

3-Way Solenoid Valve
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