Linkage ink into other cartridge

[sgmichael]

HI,

I have below problem on my Canon printer MP520.

Black ink spread into cartridge CLI-8M, has tried changed new CLI-8M cartridge (OEM) but after few weeks, the problem happen again, black ink spread into the new cartridge CLI-8M.

Anyone face this problem before and can share the solution?

Thanks.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

There is either a problem with the black cartridge, or there is an internal leak in your print head. If you recently cleaned your print head by violent means (pressure, excessive heat), that could be the problem. If you recently refilled the black cartridge, you probably either overfilled the cartridge so the sponge is oversaturated, or you have a leak in the ink chamber. If you use a topfill method, you MUST seal the ink chamber completely, without any leak.

 

[sgmichael]

There is either a problem with the black cartridge, or there is an internal leak in your print head. If you recently cleaned your print head by violent means (pressure, excessive heat), that could be the problem. If you recently refilled the black cartridge, you probably either overfilled the cartridge so the sponge is oversaturated, or you have a leak in the ink chamber. If you use a topfill method, you MUST seal the ink chamber completely, without any leak.

HI ThrillaMozilla,
Thanks for your advises replied.

Let me give you more detail so that you may give me further commends.

* I didn't clean print head by violent.
* I did refill black cartridge but should not be effect to second CLI-8M cause during change second CLI-8M, black cartridge ink not in full condition.

Mean could it be leak in the ink chamber? ( i use a topfill method for all cartridges )
What is "ink chamber" ? And what is the best way to completely seal it as your suggestion?

Fyi, it happen leak to CLI-8C before CLI-8M.

Thanks.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

How did you refill the black cartridge? What method did you use?

 

[stratman]

I have below problem on my Canon printer MP520.

Black ink spread into cartridge CLI-8M, has tried changed new CLI-8M cartridge (OEM) but after few weeks, the problem happen again, black ink spread into the new cartridge CLI-8M.

If you experienced the same problem with a NEW Canon OEM Black and Magenta cartridges then the problems is with your print head.

ThrillaMozilla accurately stated your problem in his first sentence. Black ink is where it shouldn't be, therefore the problem should be first approached as if something is either wrong with the black cartridge or the print head has an irreparable issue that allows black ink to mix with other colors. A print head can malfunction even if you did nothing unusual to it.

 

[sgmichael]

How did you refill the black cartridge? What method did you use?

I refill the ink through a small hole on top of the cartridge.

 

[sgmichael]

I have below problem on my Canon printer MP520.

Black ink spread into cartridge CLI-8M, has tried changed new CLI-8M cartridge (OEM) but after few weeks, the problem happen again, black ink spread into the new cartridge CLI-8M.

If you experienced the same problem with a NEW Canon OEM Black and Magenta cartridges then the problems is with your print head.

ThrillaMozilla accurately stated your problem in his first sentence. Black ink is where it shouldn't be, therefore the problem should be first approached as if something is either wrong with the black cartridge or the print head has an irreparable issue that allows black ink to mix with other colors. A print head can malfunction even if you did nothing unusual to it.

Hi stratman,

If it a black cartridge issue, then i can purchase an OEM cartridge and replace it.
BUT, if print head issue, may i know what is your suggestion?
Anyway to clean it or self repair? Or is it worth to buy and change new print head?

Thanks.

 

[stratman]

Let's clarify the issues. You have a Canon MP520 which has a PGI-5 Pigment Black cartridge and 3 dye ink cartridges - CLI-8 Magenta, CLI-8 Yellow, and CLI-8 Cyan. You've stated that the PGI-5 Pigmented Black ink has contaminated your CLI-8 Magenta Magenta cartridge, which I take to mean that you see black ink inside your Magenta cartridge (not just Magenta that looks homogeneously darker than it should). You also state that your CLI-8 Cyan had a contamination problem but you didn't explain in detail what the problem was.

If your PGI-5 Pigment Black ink cartridge is leaking then the volume of ink inside the PGI-5 Pigment Black cartridge should drop quicker than usual and your may see black ink pooling on external surfaces of the print head and maybe black ink that has dripped/sprayed onto surfaces inside the printer itself. If there is a leak in the PGI-5 Pigment Black cartridge, such as an incompletely sealed top refill hole, or the cartridge's ink exit port (the circular portion below the sponge that fits onto the ink intake port on the print head) is no longer sealing properly against the print head, then you can get a leak of ink which can flow across the external surface of the print head and then cross-contaminate other cartridges.

If there is no sign of ink pooling or coating the external surfaces of the print head, you may then have a malfunctioning print head such that integrity of seals inside the print head are compromised and ink is able to flow between two compartments that should be separate from one another. Think of plumbing in your home where a hole forms between the fresh water pipe and an adjacent sewage drain pipe - you get contamination of fresh water with sewage. The only cure for your printing issue, unless you are a talented repairman and have special equipment, is to purchase a new print head.

Trying new OEM Canon cartridges may resolve your issue. If not then it sounds like you will need a new print head from the information you have provided so far. Skip trying to repair a bad print head. The other solution is a new printer.

 

[sgmichael]

Let's clarify the issues. You have a Canon MP520 which has a PGI-5 Pigment Black cartridge and 3 dye ink cartridges - CLI-8 Magenta, CLI-8 Yellow, and CLI-8 Cyan. You've stated that the PGI-5 Pigmented Black ink has contaminated your CLI-8 Magenta Magenta cartridge, which I take to mean that you see black ink inside your Magenta cartridge (not just Magenta that looks homogeneously darker than it should). You also state that your CLI-8 Cyan had a contamination problem but you didn't explain in detail what the problem was.

If your PGI-5 Pigment Black ink cartridge is leaking then the volume of ink inside the PGI-5 Pigment Black cartridge should drop quicker than usual and your may see black ink pooling on external surfaces of the print head and maybe black ink that has dripped/sprayed onto surfaces inside the printer itself. If there is a leak in the PGI-5 Pigment Black cartridge, such as an incompletely sealed top refill hole, or the cartridge's ink exit port (the circular portion below the sponge that fits onto the ink intake port on the print head) is no longer sealing properly against the print head, then you can get a leak of ink which can flow across the external surface of the print head and then cross-contaminate other cartridges.

If there is no sign of ink pooling or coating the external surfaces of the print head, you may then have a malfunctioning print head such that integrity of seals inside the print head are compromised and ink is able to flow between two compartments that should be separate from one another. Think of plumbing in your home where a hole forms between the fresh water pipe and an adjacent sewage drain pipe - you get contamination of fresh water with sewage. The only cure for your printing issue, unless you are a talented repairman and have special equipment, is to purchase a new print head.

Trying new OEM Canon cartridges may resolve your issue. If not then it sounds like you will need a new print head from the information you have provided so far. Skip trying to repair a bad print head. The other solution is a new printer.

Hi stratman,

I will base on your commends and advises to further verify, thanks and very appreciate all your given information.

 

[lin]

Hi sgmichael,

I didn't read all other people reply to your problem. Not too sure if i will be able to suggest something that would be of helpful. But based on your first post, if you find any contamination of the ink inside a cart, it's not good enough to just replace with a new cartridges, because your new cartridges will still get contamination as there is contaminated ink on that ink port filter and the whole channel inside the printhead for that color. What you need to do before replacing with a new cartridge/newly refilled, is to wick up all the contaminate ink from the printhead ink port filter for that particular colour.

How to wick up the contaminate ink from that printhead ink port filter & channel:

Wick-up method
1) Pick up any access ink from that port filter with any a dry piece of paper towel or kitchen towel. Then Throw the paper towel away until it show no sign of contaminated ink. As that inklet port filter gets dried, wet a piece of the paper towel and wick the port filter and you see that there is still contaminated ink. Throw the wetted paper towel. Repeat the process of wetting another small paper towel and wick the port filter again. Repeat until the wetted paper towel no longer show any contaminated ink. Put back the printhead back into printer with newly refilled cartridges/new cart.

Wick down method
2) Pick up any access ink from that port filter with any a dry piece of paper towel or kitchen towel. Then Throw the paper towel away until it show no sign of contaminated ink. Place a folded paper towel underneath the printhead, wet a cotton and place it on the port filter and leave the printhead for a few minutes (you will notice the wetted cottom become dry). Any contamination will wick out from the bottom of the printhead to the paper towel underneath. Repeat if necessary if the port filter still show sign of contaminate ink when you test with another wetted cotton. After you ascertain there is no more contaminated ink on the port filter, you can replace the printhead back into the printer.

However You have to careful if using wick down method, as apart from the particular color that has wick out from the printhead nozzles, the whole other colors will also wick out from the nozzles and ink bank underneath is quite dried, you need to do some cleaning cycle for the purge unit to pull the ink into the printhead channels after putting the printhead back into the printer.

This is how I remove any contamination and prevent contamination to my replaced cartridge. that has been refilled again.