CAUTION: Clearance problem with ink plug (CLI-221BK cart) on MX870

[joseph1949]

CAUTION: Clearance problem with ink plug (CLI-221BK cart) on Canon PIXMA MX870.

I have been using the Top-Fill method on my carts for my Canon PIXMA MX870. Awhile back I noticed that the ink plug over the ink tank for the CLI-221 BK cart was missing. This cart is on the far left. I thought that I had forgotten to replace the plug after filling the cart with ink. I placed another plug in the hole. Today I see that this plug is missing!!!!! What happen????

If you pay careful attention to the movement of the print head you will see that the print head comes very close to the body of the printer. The thickness of the head of the plug is a bit less than 1/32 of an inch. The printer had pulled the plug out of the hole.

What to do? I covered the hole with electricians tape. I will keep an eye on the tape to see that it does not come loose. I suggest that you DO NOT use a plug made out of hard nylon or any other hard material. If the plug comes loose it could hurt the internals of the printer. My InkTec plug is made out of soft rubber. Hopefully the soft rubber plug(s) will not cause the printer any harm. I suggest you use wax, hot glue, or electricians tape for the plug material.

Thank you.

 

[stratman]

Where is the hole on the top of the cartridge?

 

[joseph1949]

To: stratman

Thank you for your reply.

The plug hole is on top of ink tank. It is to the right of the ball valve if you are holding the cart so the sponge outlet is on the left and on the bottom. The distance (center-to-center) from ball valve to plug hole is 5/16 of an inch, equal distance from the sides.

It may be possible to move the plug hole to a different location and not have the printer pull the plug out. One could remove the ball in the ball valve and plug the resulting hole with the InkTec plug. Would this work? I will try this sometime in the future. My main concern is not to lose anymore plugs into the internal workings of the printer.

If would be great if someone with a MX870 would try different locations for the plug (the head 1/32 of an inch high) hole and see if the printer pulls out the plug.

I believe that the head of the InkTec plug sticks up too high for this printer. InkTec may have to go to a different plug for the MX870.

Thank you

 

[mrelmo]

i am not fimiliar with the mx870, but on the mp560 and mp640 that use the 220/221 cartridges, there is very little clearance between the top of the cartridges and the case, when the printhead cartridge moves out of the park position it actually rises up before moving from side to side and the clearance with the case is very minimal, if you use the german method it is not an issue but for the people like myself that perfer the top fill, the case must be modified, you are lucky that you only pulled the plug out, there is a possibilty that the printhead carriage could get jammed and damage the gears. i can not take credit for the modifiction to the case as i got guidance from m j about using a dremel tool and cutting away part of the case. yes this will void any warranty but that is the price i was willing to take. if anyone is interested i will be more specific and provide pictures of the modification, i use the colored plugs from precision color which are near flush but there still is not enough clearance, like i said i am not fimiliar with the mx870 but it sounds like the same issues as with the mp560 and mp640

 

[stratman]

joseph1949:

I have read about the same modification, or a similar one, as mrelmo posted. Some Canons don't do well with plugs sticking up. Mrelmo's instructions sound like they could be of help.

I have used hot glue and it has worked well, plus you can keep clearances below 1/32 with good technique. I now use Precision Colors silicone/rubber plugs (whatever they are made from) because they seemed a more elegant and easier solution and may be less problematic overall. A few of my cartridges still have a hot glue seal and are no problems at all for going on two years. I imagine one day the wax/glue will deteriorate and there will be an air leak.

 

[joseph1949]

To: stratman

To: mrelmo

Thank you for your replies.

I do not want to modify the case of the printer unless it is absolutely necessary. I bought the printer from Costco and they would not like it if I return a printer that has had its case modified. I have been told by Costco that I can return the printer anytime for print-out problems. If Costco finds out that the case has been modified I could have my card taken awaynot good. So, what to do?

I believe that I will try using hot glue to seal the plug hole.

Question: can you make some recommendations on what hot glue to use and what are the best hot glue guns to use?

Also, I will experiment using silicone caulking to make a plug. I have had some experience using the caulking. I will inform the forum on how well the caulking works.

Thank you.

 

[pharmacist]

Hey another reason to switch over to the german durchstich refill method....No leaks, no clearance problem, automatically optimal ink saturation and ease of mind.