I have a Francis Francis X3 machine and would like the attachment to use ground coffee as at the moment I can only use pods.

The issue you are experiencing with your Illy Francis Francis X9 may be due to a malfunctioning seal or gasket.

The coffee pod holder and brew head are sealed together with a rubber gasket, which creates a tight seal to prevent leaks. If the gasket is damaged or worn, it may not create a proper seal, causing water to leak out of the machine.

I believe to troubleshoot this issue, you can try removing the coffee pod holder and inspecting the gasket for any damage or wear. If you find any issues with the gasket, you can replace it with a new one to ensure a proper seal. You can purchase replacement gaskets from Illy or from a third-party supplier.

Another possible cause of the issue could be a clogged or dirty brew head. Over time, the brew head can become clogged with coffee grounds or other debris, which can cause water to leak around the edges. To clean the brew head, you can remove it from the machine and soak it in a solution of hot water and white vinegar to remove any buildup or debris.

It's also possible that the issue is related to the machine's pump or water flow system. If the pump is not working properly, it may not be able to generate enough pressure to push water through the coffee pod. In this case, you may need to have the machine serviced by a qualified technician to diagnose and repair the issue.

There were two versions of the Francis Francis X1; one without the logo (older) and one with. I guess your only chance is ebay; but why would someone sell the holder without the machine?

My X1 came with an ESE pod holder and a ground coffee holder so they are definitely available.

Hello,

check out the below link;

http://www.partselect.com/

Good luck.

If you have an X3 Trio - you are out of luck.
If you have the older model, you can buy 'ground coffee conversion kits' or you can use a ground coffee portafilter from an Ascaso Dream/Arc etc.
See: http://coffee-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/11/thing-of-beauty.html

The X5 has the same internals as the X3, so it really is a matter as to if you like the styling. The results from the X5 and X3 should be the same. Sadly you can't convert a Trio to ground coffee.
There is nothing about the X3 that should wear out in such a short time, so unless you have let the case get damaged - there is no reason it can't be brought back to as new condition. All internal parts can more or less be found though alternative suppliers, Lelit and Ascaso models share many components.

Check the group head shower, make sure it does not have any defects(cracks, scratches or unusually large holes).

There are two different handles made for this unit (I own an X1 and have both). Both of these handles have baskets.

First - The pod handle has a basket area that is very shallow, about 1/3 of an inch deep and the basket has very small holes.

Second - The handle for loose grounds came with two baskets, one for a single dose, and one for a double dose. Both removable baskets have the very small holes for the espresso to drip through.

You must have a basket in the handle in order to use the machine. If you try to make espresso without a basket, you'll just make a mess. Besides, the machine will never be able build enough pressure to extract espresso from the grounds.

Search the net (ebay?) for francis francis x1 handle.


Good luck

You need a ground coffee adapter, these are available from various sites online. Do a web search for X1 ground coffee handle and you'll find one. Make sure it's the right one for your machine (check to see if you have the aluminium or brass boiler version)

Just found this site - It's in the UK and I'm not sure if you are but they will probably export to you.

http://tinyurl.com/lhxvg6

Regards
Richard