Advice please - Blobs of Light Magenta on prints

[Phill ODonoghue]

Hi I have an Epson R3000 using non oem inks and carts from Rihac Australia.

Not only am I getting red blobs on my prints the printer uses excessive VLM (light magenta) ink. I had used 45ml this month comparred to all other carts only used between 4ml and 8ml. Since filling the cart yesterday I have used about 15ml on just 5x 7"5" prints. I have done extensive cleaning on this machine since switching to non oem a few months ago and I get good nozzle test results and it prints small purge test are excellent. I had issues with the Light Magenta cart from the first time i used it and I suspect that it is a problem cart but Rihac don't agree that blotches can be caused by a cart issue.

Yesterday I did a full manual clean of the components including the purge pad and surrounding seals and the wiper blade.

What I have found is that by reducing the 'Color Density' setting in the paper config dialog to -45% the blobs go away but so does the print quality. This setting is used to reduce oversaturation of ink which causes paper to curl and incur head strikes. I am using Matte black ink and printing on Epson Archival Matte paper.

I would appreciate any suggestions as I love my old R3000

Regards Phill

 

[stratman]

I am a Canon printer owner, not Epson. Until one of our Epson specialists reply, then take my advice as general advice no matter what brand printer you use.

I had issues with the Light Magenta cart from the first time i used it and I suspect that it is a problem cart but Rihac don't agree that blotches can be caused by a cart issue.

It's the cartridge or the print head. My money is on the cartridge, unless Light Magenta gave you issues before the Rihac cartridge.

If you suspect the Light Magenta cartridge then the logical thing to try is a NEW Light Magenta cartridge. Not another refillable cartridge, but a new OEM or aftermarket cartridge. Do this to remove the variables that can occur with aftermarket refillable cartridges.

If the issue vanishes then you most likely have your answer - your refillable cartridge is malfunctioning and Rihac should replace it based on your account it never functioned properly.

It is interesting that by dialing down the Color Density you are able to resolve the issue. My first thought is that the increase demand of the Light Magenta via suction placed on the cartridge by the print head to deliver more ink, magnifies the ink flow issue. Maybe there is a leak of air into the cartridge causing a disequilibrium of desired pressure within the cartridge.

Regardless, check the ink entrance port on the print head for proper shape (no deformation) and sealing (like an O-Ring as found on Canons), excess ink in the area (clean it up), and try a NEW cartridge.

 

[Phill ODonoghue]

Following Stratman's reply, I have now replaced the VLM with a new prefilled cart from another supplier and given the machine another thorough manual clean. Replacing the cart was a logical step as I also had my suspicions about the cart.
I thought that I might be getting somewhere however the problem has returned. It also occurs when I boost red on any photo so it seems like some pressurized problem ?

If someone can suggest what to do next then this would be appreciated.

Regards

Phill

 

[stratman]

a new prefilled cart from another supplier

I recommended a new OEM cartridge, not another aftermarket cartridge. What it the new aftermarket cartridge is the same design as your previous aftermarket cartridge that is causing the problem which an OEM cartridge would not? Probably low odds of this.

Regardless, another reason for the leaking ink needs consideration until the culprit is determined.

check the ink entrance port on the print head for proper shape (no deformation) and sealing (like an O-Ring as found on Canons), excess ink in the area (clean it up), and try a NEW cartridge.

 

[Phill ODonoghue]

Hi Stratman, Thanks for responding - As your initial response was " a new OEM or aftermarket cartridge" that is why i ordered an aftermarket cart (from MR-AUS) one that was prefilled professionally with the bottom seal intact.

Prior to replacing this there was a buildup of ink around the ink entrance port which I had cleaned prior to replacing the cart. None of the other 8 carts had this build up. My thinking is that I may have damaged the 'O ring' when I inserted a niple provided by Rihac when the original cart did not prime correctly. The aftermarket cart was sealed in this regard and was professionally primed.

I will order an Epson OEM cart now, hope that this does not cost me A$50 for nothing. Well at least I will have plenty of VLM.

 

[stratman]

As your initial response was " a new OEM or aftermarket cartridge" that is why i ordered an aftermarket cart (from MR-AUS)

You are correct. Sorry for the confusion. What I recommended against was a refillable cartridge which may have an air leak into the cartridge and therefore ink is more likely to leak out.

I will order an Epson OEM cart now, hope that this does not cost me A$50 for nothing.

If the O-ring is damaged or missing then a different cartridge will not resolve the issue, so hold off on a new OEM cartridge for now. If the cartridge was deformed then a new cartridge would help. If something is missing or deformed on the print head around with ink entrance port then either a new O-ring or a new print head is my guess. Compare other ink entrance ports on the print head with the potential problem VLM ink entrance port and note discrepancies of shapes of the ports, potential missing O-rings, and leaked ink.

there was a buildup of ink around the ink entrance port which I had cleaned prior to replacing the cart.

I take it the leaked ink was the VLM? Any other leaked ink elsewhere or contamination of VLM into other ink colors? A nozzle check might show this. Print a nozzle check, crop, scan and post here please.

 

[Phill ODonoghue]

Correct Stratman, VLM.

After cleaning the port it does not look damaged and appears the same as the other ports. As far as I can tell the seal is inside the cart like a grey ring which has a ball sitting on top held down by a spring. I only know this because I pulled the suspect cart apart out of curiosity.

I have also rechecked the area after replacing the cart and printing today and so far it is does not have any build up as with the previous cart at the entrance port.

Attached is a nozzle check. As always with this printer it is faint but all lines appear to be firing 100%.

If it did get air in the line as a result of the previous cart might this take a few prints before it settles ?

 

[stratman]

Attached is a nozzle check.

Very difficult for me to tell the quality of the nozzle check. The resolution is not good enough to see the lines and am unsure the colors printed are appropriate. One patch looks at least partially missing, though in person you may see everything. You need someone with Epson knowledge.

If it did get air in the line as a result of the previous cart might this take a few prints before it settles ?

Maybe so, but I do not know Epsons enough to advise. Hopefully one of the forum's Epson experts, like @Ink stained Fingers , will be along shortly to help.

 

[Phill ODonoghue]

Thank you for your help Stratman.

Hopefully someone will have experienced this themselves and come up with a another idea. In the interim I will just use this as a proof printer and print final prints on my newer XP-970.