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Just wanted to quickly respond to a question I've fielded a few times now due to this post:
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6909
EDITED: October 13th 2011
I now have further information regarding this issue and thanks to customers returning their inks, cartridge, printhead I have now nailed the issue to a specific yellow ink batch.
Couple of things:
1. Despite alarming similarities to Miklings reported issue, it is a different ink type and only affects a single batch.
2. The problem affects Canon Original CLI-521 and CLI-221 Yellow cartridges that have not been flushed prior to refilling
3. The problem does not affect flushed or "clean" refillable cartridges
4. The problem does not appear to affect CLI-8 cartridges but I would still recommend replacing the ink at the earliest opportunity
The solution is pretty much identical to the one suggested for Miklings problem and as per Mikling I am offering a printhead (and cartridge) swap to those who are unable to revive the yellow in their printhead. So far all the customers reporting the issue have been able to resolve things following Miklings directions (Summarised below).
I'll be contacting all customers who might have received the problem batch tomorrow morning (still compiling the list) but in the meantime if any of those customers sees this and wants to pre-empt things you'll need to provide the following info'
Name
Order ref(s)
Printer model(s) the ink has been used with
Batch information from your Yellow ink
Specific problems (if any) that you've experienced
Email through to support@ (my store domain)
DIY Solution to recovering printhead & cartridge
1. Get suitable dishwasher detergent (I can supply with replacement yellow) and dilute in 100ml of boiling water
2. Allow solution to cool until it is warm rather than "ouch" hot!
3. Drip small amount of solution on to yellow inlet screen (the silver mesh the yellow cartridge would sit over)
4. Allow solution to sit on mesh for 5 minutes (to allow the solution to go to work on the block)
5. Suck the solution out of the mesh again using the bare tip of a syringe (DO NOT use with needle attached)
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 a few times
7. Flush/rinse the printhead gently, preferably using a distilled water solution
8. Allow the printhead to dry thoroughly, taking particular care to ensure there is absolutely no moisture on the electrical contacts at the back of the printhead before you attempt to re-use.
If you want to flush the cartridge as well (Personally I'd recommend replacing it) you can do this as follows:
a. Empty any remaining yellow ink from the cartridge using this technique
b. Flush the cartridge using warm water from the tap into the cartridge outlet hole (No need to drill additional holes)
c. Empty the cartridge again using the same technique as in step a.
d. Using the same solution you used to clean the printhead, fill the cartridge and leave overnight
e. Repeat steps 2 to flush the cartridge of the cleaning solution and dissolved clog
f. If possible do one final rinse using distilled waster to remove any lingering minerals, etc... from the tap water.
g. Empty the cartridge one last time (as per a. & c.)
h. Refill the cartridge using a fresh ink supply (This will be supplied to affected customers)
Additional Notes:
I've spent some time testing all the available batches to hand and confirmed the issue does not recur for batches other than the one I've identified, so this is a one off... The ultimate cause is still currently unknown but samples have been sent to my distributor so I'm expecting some answers in the future.
Confusion, False Alarms and Resolution
This particular issue has been difficult to nail down because initially the difference in ink type to Mikling provided me with "evidence" that the first report of problems meant my own stocks were in the clear. Subsequent reports, and finally getting hold of examples of the problem, then confirmed we'd got it wrong and helped me narrow down just what and where.
To say that the process has been frustrating doesn't cover it and I'm still waiting to hear where the issue originated in the supply chain. But as I said, I'm now looking to resolve this for all affected customers and replace the faulty ink while dealing with the associated trauma.
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6909
EDITED: October 13th 2011
I now have further information regarding this issue and thanks to customers returning their inks, cartridge, printhead I have now nailed the issue to a specific yellow ink batch.
Couple of things:
1. Despite alarming similarities to Miklings reported issue, it is a different ink type and only affects a single batch.
2. The problem affects Canon Original CLI-521 and CLI-221 Yellow cartridges that have not been flushed prior to refilling
3. The problem does not affect flushed or "clean" refillable cartridges
4. The problem does not appear to affect CLI-8 cartridges but I would still recommend replacing the ink at the earliest opportunity
The solution is pretty much identical to the one suggested for Miklings problem and as per Mikling I am offering a printhead (and cartridge) swap to those who are unable to revive the yellow in their printhead. So far all the customers reporting the issue have been able to resolve things following Miklings directions (Summarised below).
I'll be contacting all customers who might have received the problem batch tomorrow morning (still compiling the list) but in the meantime if any of those customers sees this and wants to pre-empt things you'll need to provide the following info'
Name
Order ref(s)
Printer model(s) the ink has been used with
Batch information from your Yellow ink
Specific problems (if any) that you've experienced
Email through to support@ (my store domain)
DIY Solution to recovering printhead & cartridge
1. Get suitable dishwasher detergent (I can supply with replacement yellow) and dilute in 100ml of boiling water
2. Allow solution to cool until it is warm rather than "ouch" hot!
3. Drip small amount of solution on to yellow inlet screen (the silver mesh the yellow cartridge would sit over)
4. Allow solution to sit on mesh for 5 minutes (to allow the solution to go to work on the block)
5. Suck the solution out of the mesh again using the bare tip of a syringe (DO NOT use with needle attached)
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 a few times
7. Flush/rinse the printhead gently, preferably using a distilled water solution
8. Allow the printhead to dry thoroughly, taking particular care to ensure there is absolutely no moisture on the electrical contacts at the back of the printhead before you attempt to re-use.
If you want to flush the cartridge as well (Personally I'd recommend replacing it) you can do this as follows:
a. Empty any remaining yellow ink from the cartridge using this technique
b. Flush the cartridge using warm water from the tap into the cartridge outlet hole (No need to drill additional holes)
c. Empty the cartridge again using the same technique as in step a.
d. Using the same solution you used to clean the printhead, fill the cartridge and leave overnight
e. Repeat steps 2 to flush the cartridge of the cleaning solution and dissolved clog
f. If possible do one final rinse using distilled waster to remove any lingering minerals, etc... from the tap water.
g. Empty the cartridge one last time (as per a. & c.)
h. Refill the cartridge using a fresh ink supply (This will be supplied to affected customers)
Additional Notes:
I've spent some time testing all the available batches to hand and confirmed the issue does not recur for batches other than the one I've identified, so this is a one off... The ultimate cause is still currently unknown but samples have been sent to my distributor so I'm expecting some answers in the future.
Confusion, False Alarms and Resolution
This particular issue has been difficult to nail down because initially the difference in ink type to Mikling provided me with "evidence" that the first report of problems meant my own stocks were in the clear. Subsequent reports, and finally getting hold of examples of the problem, then confirmed we'd got it wrong and helped me narrow down just what and where.
To say that the process has been frustrating doesn't cover it and I'm still waiting to hear where the issue originated in the supply chain. But as I said, I'm now looking to resolve this for all affected customers and replace the faulty ink while dealing with the associated trauma.
