Bunn Coffee Maker Repair

Yes VP17 is a valid number but there is another code beyond that, there are several vp17 types......Have you determined where the leak is coming from? What part is missing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UckmsK18-nM

I had found the manual but it only shows wiring and external parts. On the commercial models with a warmer on top the resevoir has a tank top that is bolted in place. this flange should be flat but is warped. The syphon tube fits into the top through a silicone rubber grommet and is also bolted in place with 3 nuts on welded studs.

On the inside of the syphon tube there is a rubber coupling making me think a short tube is supposed to to fit there. Otherwise the syphon will suck air after less than a half pint has flowed into the carafe. The manual does mention the front of machine should be lower than back but does not give exact dimensions.

The warped flange is the cause of the leak but I am thinking someone tried to fix a minor assembly problem then lost apart making the whole thing useless.

I did say it looked like a garage sale item, didn't I?

I can flatten the warped flange and reassemble but it would be a bummer if after assembly it would not fill a carafe because I omitted the short pick-up tube.

Under troubleshooting hints there is mention of failure to fill a carafe because syphon tube sucks air by not having the right tilt. Question being how much immersion is required.

Well the tube should extend to the bottom of the sump....The device need not be tilted forward but level....The tube, I believe, is about $4 from the parts link...These coffee makers are made to be repaired and can last a lifetime....They do need to be cleaned and repaired from time to time, but that's as good as it gets....Enjoy

Based on what I see in the video clip and the manuals the commercial Bunn machine is different from the consumer model with plastic housings. This model is all stainless steel including tank and piping. The hot water tank hold enough water to fill 3 carafee and has an adjustable temperature control for the element. From reading the manual and studying the machine it looks as if the syphon tube is precisely shaped and located to control the fill so it does not over fill one carafee. The large resevoir permits holding pre heated water ready for rapid filling of multiple carafee simply by replacing the filter containing coffee beans.

Guess its cut and try once I get the leaks fixed.

Thanks for the assistance.

Measure how much water the carafe holds. Then add that, times two to the tank. This will be the reservoir level. Depending on the outlet to the carafe the tube may be "U" shaped so no more water will siphon out once the reservoir water level is reached.

Hope this helps.

Apparently 64 oz. is how much liquid is siphoned each 'batch'

this still doesn't seem to add up so more experiments are called for. Many thanks for the helpful hints so far.