Why are there loose grounds inside machine instead of formed pucks after brewing

Your machine needs dealer service. Either the brew group needs replacing or all the O-rings need replacing. The reason the grounds are wet is because water is forcing by the worn seals. These machines need dealer service every 6 to 9 months, and of course they don't tell you that when you buy them.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Saeco+Vienna+Machine+watery+pucks

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They only know that the beans is empty when it comes to compressing the grounds into a puck just before brewing. If the brew unit has nothing in the chamber to compress then it assumes you are out of beans.. Remove and thoroughly clean the brew unit and make sure grounds are exiting the grinder when the grinder is running.

First, I'm NOT a Saeco technician, But I have worked on similar machines. It's odd that you had to clean the screen of the machine though I'm not sure it this is a recommended procedure as these home "super automatic" are a ROBOT espresso maker. Yes on large espresso machines the group screen is easily removed for daily or at minimal weekly cleaning. There is a screw in the center which is easily removed and screen is brushed till clear of grounds.
* I'm surprised that you can access this screen. But since you have already done so then I guessing you disassembled the piston
assembly (the part that squeezes the grounds to form the puck.
* Okay, The group usually has a number of gaskets (or O-rings)
and I can see from the "Gasket Set"
https://www.bing.com/shop?q=+Saeco+Vienna+Plus&FORM=SHOPPA&originIGUID=202322DD03D24C3DBC248AAE69EBE4D6
There are quite a few gaskets. Now since these are available on line I'm guessing they have been made available to those willing to replace them. So maybe your okay.
* I suspect one or more of the gaskets are not sitting just right to make a proper seal. It's either broken or not in place. Thus the group leaks and water is probably leaking past the piston and leaks on puck after it dumps.
* There is another possible problem (watery pucks) is that the piston is not compressing the coffee into a proper puck. It needs to squeeze the grounds down to restrict and slow down the hot water giving it enough time to extract the coffee essence from the grounds. If your getting weak coffee and watery, loose pucks then it's the piston. This could be caused by a misplaced compression spring or that loose gasket getting in the way.
* I would normally suggest you calling for service. But Since you have already taken this unit apart (and I Don't know about the warranty) You may have to carefully work your way backwards on what you did to see if anything is missing or loose. Go all the way back to where you think was the end and look around. Put it all back together and try again.
* Okay NOW I remember this machine! It's on youtube BUT I'm cringing as I watch it! Really don't like this machine (Sorry) I had 15 come into the shop and only got 3 to work. Way too many sensors and safeties. I still got an old one in the garage that worked for a month then stopped for no reason. Okay here is the link Good luck!
Aloha, ukeboy57

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGIK-lc__dw

Hi JB, not sure if you've junked your 3300 machine by now or had the problem fixed already. Nevertheless, allow me to share with owners of DeLonghi Magnifica Espresso machines who encounter similar problem to yours. Incidentally, mine is a Delonghi Magnifica 3200 which is very much the same as the 3300. Firstly, try to ascertain if the pump is working normally. When the machine is ready to brew coffee, turn ON the steam/hot water knob and see if it pumps normally and for more than 30secs at least. My machine could pump for short durations between 5secs to 20secs max before the water light came on. I checked the flow meter connection but is all seemed well. I noticed signs of water leak (dried up chalky water stains) where the steam wand exits the control panel. Upon opening up the control panel, I noticed a larger patch of dried up water stains on the wand valve assembly. Bought a set of steam wand assembly replacement and to replace the leaking one. It's been some six month now and I'm enjoying my daily cuppa again. Btw, my Delonghi Magnifica 3200 has been serving me well for 10 years! Apart from the steam wand replacement and a faulty micro-switch, I only had to carry out the usual descaling and replacing worn out O-rings.

This needs looking at by a Saeco repair shop - the brew unit travels in a distinct 'pathway' from being empty, to filled, to coffee being tamped, then to being emptied. Yours is obviously not working as intended.
It may be the brew unit needs lubricating ( NOT OIL) or it may be the gear system that drives the brew units movements that needs attention.
Cheers
Mike.

Hi
Turn the + / - knob in the bean hopper to the + and then back 1 mark. Are the grounds coarse or fine? They should be like coarse sugar through your fingers. If they are very coarse that can be part of the problem. What is your setting on the big knob. It should be around 8 depending on your bean. Only turn the big knob down when the grinder is grinding. You can turn it up any time.

Your brew unit is probably dirty and needs cleaning. However, it won`t always help just running the cleaning program. Try to clean out all the used ground that is stuck inside the brew unit; use your fingers or a toothbrush maybe. Then run the cleaning program. It may be smart to run the program once or twice after this too, but you don`t have to use the tablet everytime.

It is the grounds blade that holds the used ground container so you can`t get it out. This means that the brew unit stops in a wrong position, and don`t get back to grinding position before timeout. If you shut down the machine for a few hours, it usually moves back during startup. But of course; this indicates that you need to clean up inside...

Sometimes the grinder has grounds "jamed" in the coffee grinder outlet. First, while grinding try turning the "quantity dial" (has + and - on dial inside coffee bean holder) back and forth to see if that breaks the coffee loose. Next, Use a small brush to clean the coffee grounds channel inside the machine. To do this, remove the brewing section, liquid tray, and spend grounds holder. On upper portion of machine, just above the area where the brewing unit is a small "trap door" where coffee grounds are delivered to the brewing unit. slip the "trap door" open (it's spring loaded so you will need to hold it open) and with a small brush gently brush the accumulated grounds out of the channel. (There may be a large accumulation of grounds if you are using dark roasted "oily" coffee. Good luck! hope this works for you

Be sure your metal strainer in the coffee puck funnel isn't clogged. Check you grind level adjustments also.
Best Wishes,
Lane

Hi,

I think the brewing gears has to be replaced.