ix4000 clogged head

[derek15pc]

Hi, I'm sure that you've been asked this question before, but here goes.

I have a canon ix4000 that has developed a colour cast. It looks like the magenta ink head is clogged by looks of the results of the test print. I have tried a head and 'deep clean' without luck.

Looking on line I came across this advice on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEkKGBUSwNg

which basically advises cleaning the head under warm running water!!!!

Is this a hoax or is really that simple.

I've cleaned heads on Epson printers and it usually involves 'magic' chemicals and incantations at full moon.

Some advice would be appreciated

Hopefully,

Derek

 

[martin0reg]

1. To prevent the printhead from burnt nozzles - do not print anymore as long as there are any stripes or missing colors, do only nozzle checks!
2. Post a nozzle check here to see what is wrong.

For external cleaning warm water is the simplest way...if it does not work even after soaking over night you can try special cleaning solutions...

Canon printheads are easily to replace, because they are easily damaged by "ink starvation" (bad ink flow caused by several reasons, clogging is one)

 

[Sherden]

Yes, it is really that simple..... depending on how much your head is clogged. It works better with color\dye inks than with the pigments one (PGBK).

A lot of patience is required also.

Please note that a missing colour could be caused also by an irregular ink flow. So better post a nozzle check before doing anything.

Information about carts you are using (OEM? refilled? ink used?) would be useful

 

[derek15pc]

Hi, thanks for the info. I am using canon inks. How do I post a 'nozzle check@?

 

[martin0reg]

http://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/how-to-upload-pictures-images-to-printerknowledge.8227/

 

[derek15pc]

Hi, thanks.

attached are the three nozzle checks. Oddly enough the first one following a 'deep clean' was the best and looked 'normal'

Hope this helps

Derek

 

[martin0reg]

Now I would try external cleaning.

...but the missing magenta after repeated deep clean could also indicate bad ink flow from the cartridge...you should inspect this too, especially when using cheap 3rd party carts..
(Is the tape on top removed correctly? Is it fully attached into the PH with a click? - the ink outlet of the cart to the inlet of the printhead must be tight..)

 

[derek15pc]

Thanks.

I'll try all those options. I should mention that when I removed the magenta cartridge, there was a bit of ink on the outside of the cartridge. I thought that odd at the time. The printer had been carried in the back of my car shortly before when I'd moved. Could it have been 'jiggled about'? Someone suggested air had got into the feed system. Is that probable and if so, what can I do about i?

 

[palombian]

Others may correct me, but IMO the vertical banding is a sign of bad ink feed.
If not all nozzles had fired you should have seen horizontal lines.

OTH it is strange that your upper magenta line fails first - after your deep cleaning - while the second still receives ink.
Normally it is the inverse.
These printers create light "photo" magenta and cyan with the same cartridges but a separate nozzle row.

I think your printhead is OK and external cleaning won't help you further, but as said, only do nozzle checks until the ink flows.

If it is air ingested by the move, maybe it disappears with additional internal cleaning cycles (not too many at the same time, let the printer rest overnight).
Changing cartridges and removing/cleaning the head only causes more air bubbles and cleaning cycles.

Instead of purging all your (good) colors empty, buy 1 new magenta cartridge .

 

[martin0reg]

...Someone suggested air had got into the feed system. Is that probable and if so, what can I do about i?

What kind of cartridges are you using?

The cartridge is sitting directly on the inlet of the PH, so there is no "feed system" (like the tubes from a ciss, hope you don't use one...) - only small channells inside of the PH which are leading to the nozzle plate.
If there is any air in the PH it should be expelled with one normal cleaning cycle. The contact between cart and PH has to be air tight so that no air is sucked while printing.
(while the air vent on top of the cart under the tape has to be open)

Like palombian said: If in doubt try a new magenta cart.

Clogging of the PH can appear in the cannells or in the nozzle plate...external cleaning can help.