Epson ET-8550 ghosting

[steady]

I am suddenly getting this blurry misalignment or ghosting effect on my Epson ET-8550, as can be seen in the attached images. This is consistent via all paper feed sources.

I have tried all the built-in maintenance (nozzle cleaning, alignment) over a 24h period with time in between. I have turned off bi-direction printing. I also checked the sensor wheel which seems to spin and align fine, but the markings on it are kind of roughed up in places.

Can anyone point me in the direction as to what might be causing this, or what to look for?

This is a refurbished warranty replacement from Epson due to a previous machine failure and is no longer on warranty so I'm willing to try anything myself.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

The nozzle check states that just 151 pages are printed, that's normally not a situation in wlhich such ghosting occurs from ink fog on the timing strip which controls the horizontal movement of the carriage. But give it a try - this timing strip can be cleaned with a piece of kitchen paper towel and a glass/windows cleaner. the coded disk on the motor controls the vertical paper movement.

 

[steady]

The nozzle check states that just 151 pages are printed, that's normally not a situation in wlhich such ghosting occurs from ink fog on the timing strip which controls the horizontal movement of the carriage. But give it a try - this timing strip can be cleaned with a piece of kitchen paper towel and a glass/windows cleaner. the coded disk on the motor controls the vertical paper movement.

Thanks for the tip. I had tried that already but it didn't make a difference. It does seem like there is significant scuffing on the marks of this disc. I found a timing disc on ebay I may try replace this one with...

There is in general a lot of visible wear and bits of rust in the interior which doesn't make me want to put too much time and money into it. It's a disappointing warranty replacement from Epson.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

It's a disappointing warranty replacement from Epson.

That's disappointing, you apparently got a pretty worn up replacement printer on wlhich Epson probably replaced the printhead, reset the page counter and added a new waste ink pad. I don't have an idea what could have happened to the index disc.

 

[The Hat]

Thanks for the tip. I had tried that already but it didn't make a difference. It does seem like there is significant scuffing on the marks of this disc. I found a timing disc on ebay I may try replace this one with...

Clean both the time strip and the timing disc once again even if they look clean, make sure you do both sides, but be careful and do it slowly..
You’ve nothing to lose…