Can the Brain's Trust help with following CANON Pro 9000 Mk11 problem

[Roy Sletcher]

Hi Guys,

Here is the problem on my Canon PRO 9000 Mark 11:

I have always been anal making sure I get clean nozzle checks before printing.

Couple of months ago the group 2 colours (C, M, Y) started requiring several cleanings to get as clean nozzle check. Particularly noticeable when changing carts.

Once I got a clean check all would be well until I changed the carts again - maybe 50 to 100 sheets later, whereupon several cleanings would be necessary to get a clean nozzle check even though I had been printing gangbusters 5 minutes earlier. Problem is more frequent in the cyan than the M or Y of group 2 colours. If I did not print for a couple of days it would sometime require several cleanings before a clean nozzle check.

The other five group 1 colours are no problem. I can change carts without problems and they work like the energizer bunny.

I have purged and cleaned the carts before refilling, and still the problem persists.

I can gently squeeze the sides of the carts and ink is expelled, so the starvation is a mystery. Also blowing into the top vent only requires a light blow to expel ink through the outlet. So i think my refill technique/methods are not the problem. Or is it?

This problem has been getting progressively worse for he last couple of months.

Based on some research from this forum I put some windex on the pads the carts rest on at the right side of the printer. It definitely helped for a short time, but gradually the problem returned.

Replacing the head is a simple $120 exercise, but I don't think that is the problem, and have exhausted my limited expertise.

Any help appreciated. Sorry to be long winded, but wanted to give a complete picture.

Roy Sletcher

 

[stratman]

Have you tried new OEM cartridges for the problem colors?

 

[rodbam]

That sounds like a real pain Roy it seems really strange to print normally after cleaning & than play up with a change of cartridges. If the carts were the problem they shouldn't work when the head is clean until the next change.
Hopefully someone may be able to suggest something.

 

[mikling]

Try removing the rubber seals around the outlet and then clean them and replace them. I have begun to get suspicious about those seals and their effectiveness after a prolonged period. My impression is that they somehow relax or don't seal as well anymore. I have gone through something related where only after the printer is rested for an extended period would problems to restart occur.

 

[Roy Sletcher]

Thanks guys for suggestions.

Will check the seals as Mike suggests. That certainly sound like a possibility I had not considered.

Also the logic of trying a OEM cartridge for the worst affected colour from Stratman. I completely missed the simple logic of that diagnostic tool. Guess it is so easy to over think these things when looking for obscure causes.

Appreciate expression of Sympathy from my Aussie buddy Rod. I think we have both been refilling the pro9000 carts for about the same time. some two and a half years of so.

Will be busy for next day of so, but will report results later in the week to add to the knowledge base on this site.


Roy Sletcher