Epson 3800 with a clogged magenta channel

[Nigel Harris]

Hi all, well, depending on how my fixing of the plumbing goes in our main bathroom, I may get a decent run at this printer this weekend. I’ve got the service manual, any top tips before I launch in would be appreciated! My modest objective is to dismantle the capping station and gubbins and give everything a thorough clean.

Regards
Nige

 

[Nigel Harris]

According to the manual I will need to recalibrate stuff if I remove the pump cap assembly... Going to pause for a moment before I wade in further, here’s where I am up to...

and how my printer looks right now...

And how the capping station looks now I have access to it...

Question is, should I remove it so I can give it a thorough cleaning. I’m assuming the calibration work required afterwards is manageable, so I will likely plough on... wish me luck

 

[Nigel Harris]

OK, so I’ve read up in the service manual about adjustments. All that seems to be required is if you replace the pump motor then you need to reset a counter. I’m not intending to replace anything, so that doesn’t sound too troublesome. Onwards...

 

[Nigel Harris]

Might as well photo this as I go along. When I mess something up it can act as a cautionary tale

Let’s have a look underneath...

 

[Nigel Harris]

Ok, let’s do some more cleaning. The wiper blade is looking mucky again despite me having cleaned it when it was in situ.

Probably overkill for this job, but am using “pec pads” which I use to clean the sensor on my camera. Pharmacist solution.

 

[Nigel Harris]

Blade cleaned up a bit.

Now intend to flush more fluid through the foam caps and see what happens with the pipework underneath

 

[Nigel Harris]

Hmmm... not the most promising of starts, confirms a problem as it’s not draining very quickly? I need to read up about how this is supposed to drain...

 

[Nigel Harris]

Okay, let’s go from the other end... and push/pull some cleaning fluid through.

 

[Nigel Harris]

Sorted. These literally are tubes wound round and drain from the foam caps to the maintenance tank. Pushing from the other end certainly was the easiest way to get a decent flush through at volume. I’ve put 30ml through each tube until it was running clear out the other end.

Stations are draining much quicker now..

A bit of a mess below! Don’t tell my better half, we use that Pyrex jug!

 

[Nigel Harris]

Well, it’s all back together again, so I will now need to decide how best to test things... might be a good point to stop!