No yellow on nozzle test. Maybe clogged Y ink inlet on printhead.

[Grandad35]

If you are concerned about using the tube flush and drying the head out, you can place the printhead in a saucer with a shallow depth of windex or whatever your favorite cleaner is just enough to keep the nozzle plate immersed while the tubes are working.

Keeping the bottom of the nozzle plate wet also makes it easier for the liquid to exit from the nozzles.

 

[joseph1949]

To: ghwellsjr, Grandad35, and milking

Note: This will be my last post until I get back from my trip on Tuesday (10/09/12).

Thank you for your posts.

I am inclined to do the tube test since it will only take a few minutes.

Grandad35, I believe that the size of the large black ink inlet is 5/16. This means I need a tube with an inside diameter of 5/16. Is this correct?

Thank you.

 

[Grandad35]

I believe that the size of the large black ink inlet is 5/16. This means I need a tube with an inside diameter of 5/16. Is this correct?

Yes - The tube ID should be the same as the ink pickup diameter, or slightly smaller. Vinyl tubing is flexible, and it will stretch slightly if needed.

I have an old print head that I previously dissected, and its ink pickup measured at 3/8", so double check your measurement.

 

[joseph1949]

To: Grandad35

I am back from my trip. I will be working with the tubes shortly.

Grandad35, I double checked my measurement for the large black ink inlet and found that the measurement should be 3/8. I removed the gasket around the large black ink inlet to have an accurate measurement. The opening in the gasket is 3/8.

Note: The best way to take an accurate measurement is to measure the opening in the gasket. You do have to remove the gasket first, of course. Just be sure that you put the gasket back in place as soon as possible. Take note how the gasket was position around the inlet. If you place the gasket somewhere outside the printhead you can lose track of the gasketnot good!!!!! If do lose track of the gasket you can call Canon for a new one or buy a printhead!!!!!!!!

Grandad35, thank you for the edit note in your reply #9. I knew that the tubes were for testing purposes and not for flushing or cleaning (well, maybe a bit). I do not intend to flush the printhead until I have exhausted all other possibilities. I think I will be using a cleaning cart if I do have a clog. In my way of thinking using a cleaning cart is not flushing a printhead. I believe flushing a printhead means giving a printhead a bathnot for the faint of heart.

I would like to thank everyone for their help. After I buy the tubes I will be asking for more information and help.


Thank you.

 

[joseph1949]

To: all

Well, I bought the tubes. Here are the specs on the tubes:

Note: The tubes were purchased at Home Depot. The cost for a roll of tubing is bit more than $4.00 each

WATTS (manufactures name)
SVFD20
42143320
watts.com
N. Andover, MA 01845
Made in Mexico
Clear Vinyl Tubing
5/16(O.D.) X 3/16 (I.D.) X 20 ft. Note: This tubing fits the CLI-221 carts inlets on the printhead.
Bar code: 0 48643 10542 3

SVIG10
42143610
45 PSI @ 70F (21C)
1/2(O.D.) X 3/8(I.D.) X 10 ft. Note: This tubing fits the PGI-220BK cart (large black) inlet on the prinbthead.
Bar code: 0 48643 02554 7

I have the following questions:

1. What is the best way to straighten out the tubing? I cut off a 12 inch piece from the 3/16 tubing and inserted a piece of wire from a coat hanger into the tubing. I then placed the tubing into a bath of hot water. I let the tubing set in the water for two hours. I then took out the tubing from the water and removed the wire. The tubing still had a curve to it. It may stay up by itself when placed in the printhead. For this to happen the length would have to be no more than 4 inches. I can live with this, but I would like the tubing to be straighter. Any suggestions?

2. Is there an easy way to fill the 3/16 tube with isopropyl alcohol? I have a small funnel but the neck is a bit too big to fit into the tube. I may shape a piece of aluminum foil into a funnel and then place the neck of the small funnel into the aluminum funnel. Any suggestions? How about using an eye dropper?

3. While performing the tube test would it be necessary to use the orange caps/tape over the air vents on the carts? My thinking is that since test should only take a few minutes to perform there would be no reason to use the orange caps/tape.

4. Odd question!! Does the printhead float? If I need to soak the printhead would I need to fasten down the printhead? If I need to fasten down the printhead what is the best method to accomplish this?

Thank you.

 

[Grandad35]

1. I didn't straighten the tubing - that's why I only used a 4" long piece. The tubing doesn't have to be perfectly vertical for its entire length.

2. Use the same type of syringe or squeeze bottle that you use to refill to load the alcohol.

3. The orange caps won't hurt, but as you said this is a short test.

4. When I do a soak, I just set the print head on a folded paper towel that is saturated with your cleaning solution. If the clog is up inside the plastic body, you'll need to somehow get the cleaning solution to the clog, and a simple soak won't get it there. That's why cleaning carts work - the suction from the printer's purge system pulls the liquid down into the ink flow channels. FYI - a damaged print head floated when I put it in boiling water (after the ceramic plate had been removed). Try to avoid getting water behind the printed circuit board; if you do, blow it out and let the head dry completely before putting it back into the printer.

 

[joseph1949]

To: Grandad35

Thank you for your quick reply.

1. I think I will use the 4 inch tubes even if they are not straight. On Saturday I will go to Home Depot to purchase a wooden dowel that is just small enough to fit inside the tubing. I will soak the tubing in a hot bath and take it out and insert the dowel into the tubing and then see what happens. Also, I will insert (no bath this time) a four foot long dowel into a four foot piece of tubing and let it be for a period of time. I am thinking that time may be the key to straightening out a piece of tubing.

2. I had completely forgotten about my squeeze bottles. I will use one of my unused bottles. A squeeze bottle should work just fine!!!!!!

3. O.K. we agree, no caps/tape.

4. Your reply reinforces my thinking on flushing (soaking) a printhead. Soaking a printhead is an act of desperation. I will use a cleaning cart(s) and see what happens.

Thank you for your help, Grandad35!!!!!

 

[websnail]

On the tube straightening side of things the solution is steam... Get some water just to the boil over a stove with a vented lid on the pan top. Wear some serious hand/eye protection in case you get forgetful or daft and then pass the tube in front of the steam, slowly while trying to hold it straight.

In some cases directing the steam into the tube (be careful where the other end is pointed!) can also help.

This is a technique I use when straightening out any of my coiled tubing and works pretty well.

 

[joseph1949]

To: websnail

Thank you for the reply.

I will try your tip concerning using steam. I think I will get out my tea kettle. It has a spout which should give me the right amount of steam without the danger of burning me. If I place a four foot wood dowel inside the 12 inch tubing this should give me plenty of safety room. I will not have to get my hand/face close to the steam. If the dowel does not work then I will remove the dowel and hold the tubing by hand following your safety precautions.

websnail, thanks again for the tip.

 

[joseph1949]

To: websnail

I have been successful in straightening out the tubing. I will not go into detail here (I will create a new topic to explain my procedure with pictures of the straightening process and pictures of the tubes and the printhead.) but I will say that I took your advice and placed steam inside the tube with the coat hanger wire inside the tube and the other end closed off with tape.

My procedure only took a minute or two.

I will try to perform the clog test today and will give the results as soon as know something.

Thank you.