MX860 stops printing weekly, no error - any ideas ?

[jimbo123]

trying to help a buddy, here's his problem

- about once a week his MX860 stops printing with no error message
- he runs a print head clean for PGI-BK and then can print until it happens again next week

his nozzle check looks fine

any ideas ??

J

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Printers: Canon MP830, IP4500, MX700, MX860, MX870, MP980
Method: German Durchstich Method
Ink: Hobbicolors ink, PMT-BK, UW8
Misc: Squeeze bottles - so much easier than syringes

 

[PeterBJ]

It looks to me like inkflow problems with the pigment black cartridge. Even if it is a bit expensive a new OEM pigment cartridge would be a good diagnostic tool.

The MX860 uses the PGI-x20/CLI-x21 cartridge set. I have refilled several BCI-3e/6 and PGI-5/CLI-8 cartridges using the German method and squeeze bottles without problems. But I have had problems using the same method with the PGI-520/CLI- 521. After 4 or 5 refills the cartridges seem to clog in the sponges and need a purge before they will refill to full capacity again and have no inkflow problems.

I don't know if your buddy's cartridges are refilled by the German method? I have found out that the advice to drill the refill hole in the middle between the >< markings is not good for the PGI-x20/CLI-x21 cartridges. The marking is placed too low and your needle will tend to separate the lower sponge from the outlet filter, causing problems with inkflow. Protecting the ink outlet with a storage clip and knocking the cartridge hard against a table, to bring the sponge and outlet filter back in contact, has sometimes brought the cartridge back to working order.

But I'm guessing. To answer your question properly we need a bit more information. Are the cartridges new OEM or refilled OEM, if so what method and brand of ink? Maybe they are third party or even refilled third party? Also does the pigment black disappear abruptly like a switch was turned off or does it fail gradually?

I have noticed some threads recently, dealing with problems with PGI-x20/CLI-x21 cartridges, especially when refilled using the German method, and I didn't believe the cartridges could be the cause of problem before I experienced the same problems.

I'm looking more into this and I will post in a new thread when I have found out more and hopefully got some acceptable pictures.

 

[The Hat]

trying to help a buddy, here's his problem

- about once a week his MX860 stops printing with no error message
- he runs a print head clean for PGI-BK and then can print until it happens again next week

his nozzle check looks fine

any ideas ??

J

A very intriguing situation indeed so can we have some more details Jim.

Does the printer refuse to print, wont turn on, stops printing in the middle of a print run
or prints a half page and then run out of ink.

Whats with the head cleaning business, is this necessary or just a precautionary measure and why only the black.

What brand of ink does he use and which method of refilling is involved here
and last but not least does the printer stop on any day or one in particular..

PeterBJ just piped me on this..

 

[barfl2]

What happens if he just turns the printer off waits say 10 seconds and turns it on again bit like you reset a router. I agree with PeterBJ about hole position mine is lower my 1mm hole just brushes the bottom of the P. hav'nt had problems with them yet.

I have 4 PGBK 520 carts and clean them out on a regular basis. However this printer is just stopping so it is unlikely be just the black pigment ink causing the problem.

Not overheating ? somewhere thermal cut-out ?

 

[jimbo123]

sorry been busy, thx for the help

from what i know he:
- refill canon made original ink carts
- use german refill method
- use Octoink inks from Martin

will try to find out other Qs from him

thx

J

 

[jimbo123]

more info from my buddy:

No Over heat.

Pages before print fine. Next time I use it goes blank.

Ink pad separation might be the problem and tapping it might work.

It doesn't stop in the middle.

I only do the black because I am print pages from my .doc files. No color necessary.


any thoughts for him ?

thx

J

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Printers: Canon MP830, IP4500, MX700, MX860, MX870, MP980
Method: German Durchstich Method
Ink: Hobbicolors ink, PMT-BK, UW8
Misc: Squeeze bottles - so much easier than syringes

 

[PeterBJ]

The added info makes me almost certain that the pigment black cartridge is the cause of the problems. I would suggest to buy a new OEM pigment cartridge and try if using that solves the problem.

If it does, the offending cartridge(s) is/are most likely clogged in the sponges or the vent by dried pigment ink. There is a chance that purging and drying the cartridge(s) will solve the problem. There is also the possibility that the outlet filter and lower sponge have become separated. If so it could help to protect the ink outlet with a storage clip or the original orange clip and tap the cartridge hard against a table with the ink outlet facing down, to restore contact between the ink outlet and the sponge.

I have had similar problems with PGI-520/CLI-521 cartridges and am still looking into it. Here is a thread about a similar problem with more info and links to some good instructions: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8200

Octoinkjet UK has 3 inks suitable for PGI-220: KMP-U universal for all Canon pigment inks, KMP Canon PGI-220 compatible and Image Specialists Canon PGI-220 compatible. Could you please ask which pigment ink your buddy is using? I am using the KMP-U ink for BCI-3e, PGI-5 and PGI-520, and I have had no problems with the two older cartridge types. Maybe I should try one of the other inks for the PGI-520?

Please report your results, I am very interested, as I am having similar problems with the newer cartridges.