Coffee sprays from portafilter spouts while pulling shot

Grind is too fine and the portafilter chokes when water hits the coffee; or the seal in the brewing head is shot.

Hi There,
That sounds like your coffee grind or tamping needs to be adjusted or the shower screen may need cleaning.

Pressurised water looks for the weakest point when extracting and if grind is too coarse or tamp is off, it will come out one side mainly.
If you don't have a grinder add extra coffee in the portafilter basket.
If is still spurts with the portafilter off - the shower screen may need cleaning - take it off and soak in coffee cleaning solution. Puly Caff coffee cleaner

If it sprays from around the filter spouts when making coffee then either the gasket up there is dirty or damaged.

i can try and help you get this figured out1st thing i would try is to start a shot without the portafilter in the machine. does water come through the screen, or is there literally steam coming through, or both. i have a feeling your either not putting enough coffee in the portafilter (basket) and/or the grind is not fine enough. it should take about 23-33 seconds to get a total of 1 1/2 oz of espresso. let me know if this helps, brian

"leaks noisily from what appears to be the contact between the grouphead and portafilter"
* Leaks from top of portafilter and group head are caused by poor sealing at head gasket.
* wipe top lip of portafilter before inserting into group.
* check if group is clear of coffee grounds, paper bits, tissue, dry crud. Use a head cleaning brush (tooth brush works) and wipe group clean (do not use screwdriver to scrape!)
* Make sure when inserting portafilter it is seated properly. (check your manual for procedure) Note the position of the portafilter handle if it's in the right position AFTER you tighten it. Is it far to the left? or stuck and barely hangs on to group?
* Barely hanging on to group? Check if pod is too big. Note; you can't double shot or use 2 pods in a single pod basket! Make two separate shots for a double.
* Handle tightens but slips off group or still leaks when pulling shot? Worn out or missing gasket. Gaskets are made of rubber and can crack, drop out, or pit. You will need to have the gasket replaced. Check with vendor or MFR for service/parts.
* Make sure you have the correct portafilter. Many look the same and may even fit but when making fine adjustments or critical shots they don't work right. Check manual or vendor for confirmation.
* Make sure you have the correct basket. The portafilters may have different baskets or cups that can be inserted. Many have special uses that can affect the pull of a shot. Fewer holes causes slower flow and longer brew time. Many holes gives a weaker shot but smoother less bitter taste. There is a blank basket that has no holes which is used for backflushing and cleaning of the group. Check your manual or vendor for which basket you should be using. Odds are that you have a standard basket ment for ground coffee and not pods. (you can remove the coffee from the pod but it will be messy.) Ask for the optional 'POD' basket insert.
* Finally if everything checks out and your still having leaks then your machine needs service as the group head or valve needs replacement. Call your vendor or MFR direct.
Aloha! ukeboy57 (youtube)

P.S. Looking back at my service with pod conversions, I've found that most if not all pro-machines don't really like the pod adapters. Sure it will work but shots are weak and poor. Pods really like a very tight fit with a very small portafilter basket(chamber) I mean like the size of a soup spoon! They like very slow and very hot water pumped with a vibration type pump to extract all the essence from the paper filtered coffee. Illy is an excellent coffee pod with a very rich aroma and good creme. The best for them (pods) are the dedicated pod machines (won't do ground coffee, only pods). If you must use a pro semi-automatic machine then I would suggest adding a port constrictor to the portafilter output. There may be a third party supplier that has a compatible adapter for your brand. I've come across some of these very extreme tools for the elites coffee affectionato. It restricts the flow at the output thus causing the hot water to brew longer and at a higher pressure to force the hot water and steam into each coffee grain. (think pressure cooker) Some of the better ones are adjustable. But note that these will need daily or cleaning after each use as these restrictors have very tiny holes which clog unless flushed after each use. Good luck 9on your pursuit of the perfect cup!)

First, I'm NOT a Briel technician, But if you still have pressure from the removal of the portafilter (or capsule) then the exit or pour spout is clogged. You can soak a standard portafilter in warm water over nite and wash it clean in the morning. Really bad? then soak in urn cleaner and flush thoroughly prior to use. For capsule machines follow the MFR's instructions to properly flush the machine. You may also try to "fool" the machine into making a 'no coffee' shot by reusing old capsules over and over again to try and flush out old coffee from the spout. Otherwise the unit may need servicing to remove the clog as most of these capsule machines do not have serviceable parts. Contact your vendor or MFR directly for service or replacement.
*warning! Try not to stick a pin, nail, or paper clip into spout(s) as this may damage valve or offset the dual pour spout. Most of these machines have double spouts and can be easily pushed out of alignment.
* Final; I've noted that your probably using a portafilter type machine. If you have water or steam dripping from head then there is a leak in your head valve or commonly called the 'Group Valve'. Fortunately this is a serviceable part and can be replaced by your vendor.
PS. Have you tried 'Back Flushing? Use a "BLANK" portafilter basket (the one with no holes) or a back flush rubber stopper (from Cimbali). Add a 1/4 teaspoon of urn cleaner of flush cleaner to portafilter and lock onto group. Run shot till it stops (excess pressure and dose will by-pass the group valve. This will flush old coffee and crud out the by-pass pipe and into drain tray. If nothing happens and the group hums for longer than 20 seconds then your probably got a clogged valve and back flush pipe. All will need disassembly, cleaning and/or replacement. Best to call your Vendor for service.
*Be sure to run the group several times and wash the portafiler to get rid of the urn cleaner.
*Tip; It's a good idea to back flush every hour with with plain water from the shot to just get rid of the coffee grounds stuck to the group shower head and leftover coffee in the group valve. Does not hurt the machine and keeps everything working smoothly.

Aloha, youtube; ukeboy57

Have you run a backwash on the group with espresso machine soap?
If no then remove the shower screen in the group and clean (that might be covered with coffee oils).

Have you tried backwashing, then removing the shower and screen from the grouphead to make sure that there is no coffee buildup on the screen.
As for the leak around the portafilter, the group gasket needs to be replaced,

Where is the drip for the coffee happening,is it around the portafilter, or the tube hanging in the drain tray on the left, or from the shower in the grouphead.
1- Around portafilter..since the machine is only 2 wks old the it is possible that coffee grounds are on the gasket in the head, get a hard toothbrush or buy a groupbrush and clean group gasket also check for damage.
2- Tube in drain tray...If it is a continuous drip whenever the machine is on then the nucleus in the solenoid is either dirty or damaged, try backwashing the machine. If it happens only when you make a coffee then that is the discharge on the solenoid working. Run a backwash on the group and that will cleann out the discharge.
3- If it is coming from the shower in the group then the solenoid needs to be replaced.

As for the steam wand leak it sounds as though the valve is not closing. That will have to be replaced because it cannot be rebuilt.

Try running the gro;up without the portafilter in place, what does the water flowq look like: is it a nice strong flow or barely a dribble. If if is barely a dribble, backwash machine with purocaff and check shower screen, that may be clogged. If you have a nice flow then try adjusting the grind on the coffee grinder.