MP830 print problem

[Rhodius]

Hi all,

Been reading this forum for a long time, this forum is where I learnt about the re-filling (still using durstich mode), cleaning using Windex etc.
Anyhow, I mostly print black and white text and only occasionally print in colors. Yes most experts in this forum will say, I created my own problems by not printing colors too often. My photo prints are too yellow, it seems I consistently have problem with light cyan and light magenta.

Here's a nozzle check print:

Sometimes it looks like I'm having problem with black too:

And here's the service mode print:

However my cyan and magenta shows on Neil's 6 colors test print, it seems the printer is incapable of lighter colors, what gives?

Here's what I've done to clean up any clog so far:
- Shot a few droplets of Windex using syringe into the print head
- Wash the print head under hot water, dry and clean
- Sub-merge the print head into toilet paper with windex
- Blow compressed air into the printhead to ensure all traces of color gunks come out
- Dry head

After that last one there's almost no trace of color whatsoever on a new paper towel, which gives me the impression I've cleaned all I could. What else could be the problem? Bad print head?
If bad print head, what printheads are compatible with the MP830? Is MX870's compatible? Other than spending close to $100 to get an MP830 printhead.
Thanks.

 

[The Hat]

The fact that you mostly print black is evident in your nozzle check;
the best way to keep your colours working properly and to fix any problems early if they happen to occur
is to print a nozzle check every week or so which would be more than sufficient.

Your cleaning methods all look good except for the tissue (Toilet) paper,
it falls apart too quickly and can actually clog your print head, Kitchen towel would be the preferred alternative.

Now you have done just about everything to your print head that can be done (Except open Heart surgery),
but did you ever think it might be your cartridges and not the print head at all.

Constantly refilling your cartridges over time can cause them to become less efficient
and unable to supply enough ink to the print head when it's required.

The OEM cartridges are good but they can get grubby and dirty for constant use and do need a clean from time to time.

The best thing I can suggest is to beg borrow or steel another set of cartridges from someone or even better
purge (Clean) a couple of your spare ones, dry and refill and see if your nozzle checks are better than the ones you posted.

I strongly suggest you abstain from any further printing till you can resolve your current print problems,
nozzle check are acceptable, please report back as soon as your able..

 

[Rhodius]

Thanks The Hat. I do have a few unused virgin empty PGI carts that I got from ebay. I'm thinking of filling up and started using them. These would be pretty much new, never been re-filled before (no hole anywhere), assuming the sponges can soak up enough ink (since they have been dry for a while), there shouldn't be any problem with ink flow with these guys, correct?

Alternatively I do have a brand new MP620 sitting, I think the print head is the same as these, correct? But you wouldn't think the print head is the problem right?

 

[The Hat]

What I did say way it may not be the print head but more than lightly it could well be the cartridges that is causing your problems.

By purging these cartridges youll then be starting a fresh with them (Like New) so at least youll find out one way or the other
if they were causing the problems or in fact the print head is gone bad.

Its a pity that the MP620 doesnt use the same type cartridges as your MP830;
you could have used them to test your print head..

 

[Rhodius]

I just want to report back, and thanks to those who view my post, especially The Hat, I gained back the colors on my MP830. The Hat was right, it was the ink flow in my carts. I exchanged the carts, refilled and used a few virgin carts that I kept and even then kept doing nozzle check and a few clean cycle every time I saw missing colors in my nozzle check print, eventually my nozzle check came out ok. It's still occasionally missing light cyan and I don't know why this particular color. Sometimes I'm missing Pigment black which was never a problem from the beginning so I just started printing a few pages of a manual that contains all texts and that resolved that issue as well.

Thanks again guys!