Can't print on refilled BCI-3eBK (Canon Pixma MP780)

[jul81after]

I just refilled the BCI-3eBK using the german method with ink kit from alotofthings.com (This is my first time. I messed up with the BCI-6BK and got a new OEM one.) I tried printing a B&W document. I only saw a few traces of black. (Default setting, normal.)

I can't seem to print from the 3eBK ink. I did the following steps:
1. Nozzle Check (won't print the checkered print from the 3eBK. Others (all OEM ink) printed fine).
2. Cleaning (won't print the 3eBK. Others are fine)
3. Deep cleaning (same as #2)
4. Print Head Alignment (fading on some of the black).

So I printed the document again. More traces of black.

What else can I do?

 

[pharmacist]

One Question: did you cut away any shavings from the drilling process ? And did you click the cartridge really good into the printhead craddle ? If you put a paper towel on the ink outlet of the cartridge: does the ink gradually get absorbed by it ?

 

[jul81after]

There weren't many shavings from the drilling process.
The cartridge is firmly inside the cradle. (It does print a bit of the document.)
I left the cartridge out (after putting in the ink in) for a few days. I was worried about it leaking. (I also needed to buy a new OEM ink for the one I ruined.) There weren't any leaks when I went to put it back in. Does this mean it dried out?

 

[avolanche]

Just remove the cartridge and squeeze the sides to see if ink drips from the outlet.It's not dry if you get a nice drip.

More likely is a clogged nozzle.

 

[jflan]

I left the cartridge out (after putting in the ink in) for a few days. Does this mean it dried out?

You should have mentioned this earlier.
If I understand correctly, you left the printhead intake uncovered for several days ??
For future reference do not leave a printhead intake uncovered for more than the few seconds it takes to change out a spent ink tank.

You almost certainly have a clogged printhead because of this. It will probably take some aggressive (but careful) cleaning steps to clear.
These steps have been discussed ad nauseam here, so do a search of these forums on printhead cleaning.

 

[leo8088]

The cartridge should be OK even it was left out of a printer for a few days. But the print head without a cartridge plugged in will dry up in probably 30 minutes. A few seconds is definitely fine. I have taken out cartridges to purge and refill then plugged back in. That took at least 15 minutes or longer and there was no problems. But if the cartridge was taken out for a few days it is most likely dried up really good. You can flush it with runing water to clean it up. The trick is using a faucet that is high above the sink. Running water is not the correct concept. It should be water dripping in drops. A few drops a second is what you need. Let the gravity give the force to unclog the dried ink. Let it drip into the ink intake from a foot above is quite a powerful power wash for the print head. Turn on the hot water too. Hot water drops are even better. The water drops won't be too hot when they reach the ink intake. Nost of the heat is lost during the free fall. Do it for 20 or 30 minutes and test it to see if it unclogs it. If it doesn't then do it for an hour. It should work.

 

[jul81after]

So I did the cleaning several times via software and at least two deep cleanings. It finally worked!

I've learned my lesson and won't leave the printhead intake uncovered. Does this mean I should have an extra set of ink cartridges? (It takes me awhile to fill a cartridge.)

 

[jflan]

So I did the cleaning several times via software and at least two deep cleanings. It finally worked!

I've learned my lesson and won't leave the printhead intake uncovered. Does this mean I should have an extra set of ink cartridges? (It takes me awhile to fill a cartridge.)

Good, glad you were able to clear it !
A second set of already refilled carts is a better plan.