leaky CLI-8 cartridge

[mjs]

I've recently started refilling the cartridges for my Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II. I'm using the top fill method, using original canon cartridges. So far, I've only done the photo cyan. My problem is, after filling, and being placed in the printer, the cartridge continues to leak.

I'm following the basic steps.. the one "variation" that might be there is I'm using vinyl electrical tape to seal the hole. Is this not airtight?

Would I be better off using wax? and if so, how do you use the wax without it dripping into the ink?

Thanks.

 

[jtoolman]

Yes it's not air tight.
Why are you not using a plug?
I prepared my carts by removing the fill Ball and drilling through with a 5/32" diameter bit and them I can use a common Tabbed Colored plug commonly used on many Canon and Epson refillable carts. Never had any leaking problems for over two years or rifilling.

 

[rodbam]

As Jose said your letting air into the cartridge. You should really use the silicone plugs I think.

 

[DaveSlater]

I tape the factory covers onto the bottom of the cart while filling it thru a hole driled in the top. Then I dab a little silicone rtv in and over the top hole. The rtv is easy to remove for next fill.

 

[The Hat]

The biggest challenge facing a would-be top refiller after the cartridge has been filled successfully
is to get that magical perfect seal on the refill hole, and using any kind of tape is definitely not it.

Dozens of different ways have been tried in the past and do seem to work initially but only for a short period of time,
usually just after you have stopped looking at it and placed it in the printer, then the darn thing will leak.

Its a matter of narrowing it down to the known few ways that does work, but whichever one you choose
make sure that the refill hole is clean, clear and DRY of any ink before attempting to reseal the hole up.

A simple little test to do before putting the cartridge in the printer is to remove the orange clip and check to see if the outlet hole drips any ink,
a few drops is perfect but lots of drops or continued small flow is not,
cap the outlet hole with the orange clip quickly and reseal the refill once again..

 

[jtoolman]

If one wants to really be super anal about this, you can initially remove the original sealing ball that the factory uses to seal th fill hole after filling. To remove the ball I use a little tool that is basically a thin screw tip mounted on a knob. After exposing the ball by carefully dissecting the label away from the area, I scree it into the ball and pull it out.

Then after refilling you can press a new ball into place and it will seal it as effectively as the original. You will need a new ball every time you refill.

You do not drill a hole which can by itself be the cause of a bad seal, if it is not the perfect diameter and perfectly clean. So that failure possibility is eliminated.

http://www.rjettek.com/Inkjet-Supplies/Canon-BCI-PGI-CLI-Refill-Kit.html

This is the perfect way to refill Canon OEM as far as I know. Unless you are filling with the Freedom or German method. It is the least invasive method as no holes are drilled.

They do have aminimum order of $30

This kit runs about $15. So you can maybe add more balls and outlet covers or share the order with another person to get past that minimum order amount.

 

[fotofreek]

I've successfully used the stainless steel screw/o-ring technique with top filling on bci-6 carts (and now cli-8) for about eight years. Never a leaky cartridge. I've also just started to use the elastic plugs sold by Precision Colors. They have two types - one with small tabs that you can grip fairly easily for removal and the other with a "mushroom-like" cap. The second type is easier to insert because the end you insert is tapered and the cap shape provides a larger surface for pushing it into the fill hole. Both are used after pulling out the ball from the factory fill hole. I've been told that the plugs provide an excellent seal.

 

[FastForward]

I've recently started refilling the cartridges for my Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II. I'm using the top fill method, using original canon cartridges. So far, I've only done the photo cyan. My problem is, after filling, and being placed in the printer, the cartridge continues to leak.

I'm following the basic steps.. the one "variation" that might be there is I'm using vinyl electrical tape to seal the hole. Is this not airtight?

Would I be better off using wax? and if so, how do you use the wax without it dripping into the ink?

Thanks.

I've read some posts here about "hot wax". You should just disregard that advise as it is a confusing reference to HOT GLUE by one certain poster.....

 

[barfl2]

To get the ball out I use a manual pin vice equipped with a 1mm drill. Carefully drill as close to centre as possible, just go in a little way then insert a small screw eye (as used for curtain wire) and pull ball out.

Fill your cart put ball back in remove scew eye cover with aluminium/duct/tape and test for leaks.

Can anybody see a problem re-using the ball assuming it is a good snap fit not damaged and cart inverted does not leak. If OK this overcomes any cart height problems with the newer printers. I do not know whether NEW balls are available in the UK

 

[FastForward]

To get the ball out I use a manual pin vice equipped with a 1mm drill. Carefully drill as close to centre as possible, just go in a little way then insert a small screw eye (as used for curtain wire) and pull ball out.

Fill your cart put ball back in remove scew eye cover with aluminium/duct/tape and test for leaks.

Can anybody see a problem re-using the ball assuming it is a good snap fit not damaged and cart inverted does not leak. If OK this overcomes any cart height problems with the newer printers. I do not know whether NEW balls are available in the UK

I have also used this method to remove the balls and it works well. On more than one cart, when I removed the label there was ink in the ball hole. This would indicate that the ball seal may not be perfect and this has been discussed here before by a member with much more experience than myself.

I would think that if you clean the top of the cart well and use brand name duct tape/foil tape that the ball will provide 90% of the seal so the tape only needs to make up the other 10%. This is a nice cheap solution with about as much chance of success as a silicone ball hole plug.....good advice for those on a budget barfl2.