Gunge in my ink cartridges

[OM2]

The yellow ink in my MX870 has stopped

I had a look and it the sponge isn't getting any ink passed through

Very weirdly: there seems to be gunge in the ink reservoir
I have no idea what this is or how it could have got there??

Anyone else have the same problems?

See below for 2 pics I took:

Could it be the ink that I'm using??

Thanks


Omar

 

[Grandad35]

You might want to read through this thread.

 

[RMM]

Omar, what type of ink are you using? There was some IS CLI-221 yellow that caused a reaction with the OEM ink that formed precipitates and caused clogging.

 

[OM2]

so the ink has grown bacteria??
i got the inks for octoink
that's where i always buy from
i would add that the inks were purchased quite recent - say within the last 6 - 8 weeks - i'd have to check the order date to confirm

the other thread contained a lot of info
can someone just confirm: is the other ink cartridge dead??

i'm not sure if relevant - but i have 2 printers that use the same ink
the other has not been effected - if the bottled ink is contaminated - should not refill it because the same might happened + get new ink to replace??

thanks

 

[Grandad35]

You should be able to purge the contaminated cartridge to clear it, but I would first refill it with Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), leave it sit for an hour or two to kill any living organisms, and then purge it.

When my carts aren't in the printer, they are stored in a plastic food container with a closed lid. A folded paper towel that has been soaked with alcohol is placed in the bottom to kill any bacteria and to keep the carts from drying out through the vent. I haven't had any problems with glop buildup since I started doing this (but I also changed ink suppliers at the same time, so...).

 

[websnail]

I've responded to your ticket Omar (after 3 days of nursing, followed by 48 hours of being nursed! - Illness is never fun!) but just to provide the relevant references on this:

The issue itself is described here:
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7022

I just need to reiterate that this it NOT a recurrence of the original issue as I've been testing every batch of ink that's come through here since and made sure that I only source my primary inks in original shipping containers from Image Specialists to avoid any possible cross contamination.

The most likely explanation is localised contamination from the original bad batch of yellow ink at customer end. How it got there is hard to say but most likely refill equipment, partial top up with the old stuff that was forgotten about or something similar. Easily done but obviously less than ideal.

The fact that the other cartridge is clear gives my 100% confidence of that and I don't state 100% ever unless I'm really sure...

Anyway... resolving the clog in the cartridge is provided on the thread above... specifically:

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