Need help with MB5120

[Bird333]

I think the printhead is clogged. This printer seems new even though I got it second hand. I have done a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning and both patterns look the same. I see some yellow and a little black on the paper but the patterns are not there. Also I am getting error 2500 when I try to run the 'auto head alignment'. The manual suggests that error could be related to the printhead being clogged. Help.

 

[palombian]

Stop with cleaning cycles.
You can't do an alignment without good patterns.

You can remove the printhead. After removing 2 screws (very thight, use the correct screwdriver) there is the regular handle at the left.
Due to the particular construction (explained in detail by @Artur5 ) bathing takes a lot of time.
I used a syringe with a blunt needle that fits in the tubes that go in the ink outlets of the cartridge.

 

[Bird333]

Stop with cleaning cycles.
You can't do an alignment without good patterns.

You can remove the printhead. After removing 2 screws (very thight, use the correct screwdriver) there is the regular handle at the left.
Due to the particular construction (explained in detail by @Artur5 ) bathing takes a lot of time.
I used a syringe with a blunt needle that fits in the tubes that go in the ink outlets of the cartridge.

Thanks for the response. How do you remove the printhead?

Can you use alcohol and/or ammonia on this printhead?

 

[palombian]

Thanks for the response. How do you remove the printhead?

Can you use alcohol and/or ammonia on this printhead?

Start a print (ex nozzle check) and pull the mains plug in the middle of the print so the printhead moves free.
You can also remove the plastic plate on top to have better access.

Use (demineralised) water and a drop of dishwashing liquid.

 

[Bird333]

Start a print (ex nozzle check) and pull the mains plug in the middle of the print so the printhead moves free.
You can also remove the plastic plate on top to have better access.

Use (demineralised) water and a drop of dishwashing liquid.

I realize you are recommending dishwashing liquid, however would it hurt the printhead to use alcohol, ammonia, or window cleaner (with ammonia)? I have used these in the past on other printheads. Are Maxify printheads more delicate?

 

[palombian]

I realize you are recommending dishwashing liquid, however would it hurt the printhead to use alcohol, ammonia, or window cleaner (with ammonia)? I have used these in the past on other printheads. Are Maxify printheads more delicate?

All products have their merits and risks, you decide.
In my experience Maxify's are more delicate than I thought initially, once the clogging has gone too far they are difficult to clean.
Maybe due to the construction.

Success and report back.

 

[Artur5]

Based in my experience, I’d think it thrice before removing a Maxify printhead solely for cleaning purposes. The bottom chamber used for inkflow control is a double edged sword.
A Canon Pixma printhead can be cleaned/washed out of the printer and left to rest for a while to ensure that it’s totally dry before reinserting it, just to avoid that any traces of liquid could make a short in the electrical circuitry. Drying doesn’t takes very long because there’s very little liquid contained into the ink channel of a Pixma printhead.

Maxifys are different, The bottom chamber holds more than 2 ml. That ink (or cleaning fluid) stays there even if you leave the printhead to rest for a long time. Therefore you must be very careful when reinserting it into the printer, Just a tiny droplet of liquid might spill from the nozzles or the inlet port and make some damage, if the printer is powered.

 

[stratman]

Drying doesn’t takes very long because there’s very little liquid contained into the ink channel of a Pixma printhead.

Is it water in the ink channels that is of concern or fluid on the circuitry board and electrical contacts?

 

[palombian]

I already flushed and reinstalled a printhead without damage to the printer (but with mixed success for the head).
As long as the electrical contacts on the back are dry I don't think remaining liquid should cause a problem.

 

[Bird333]

Well I got the colors flushed out but of course the black is still blocked. It's been soaking most of the day yesterday and overnight. It printed a tiny bit of black when I first tried but there doesn't seem to be any fluid coming out when I try to force some through the inlet. I had been using hot water and soap, but I'm going to switch to windex. The black seems to be really stuck.