Older Canon i950 problems

[Gooneybird]

The Canon i950 is about 5 years old, and the original print head lasted about 3 years. The replacement is now acting very contrary, like it's not getting sufficient ink flow after the first or second full page photo print. I've done various types of cleaning, after reading many, many posts on this forum, yet the problem persists. My feeling has now reached the point that it might be related to the "sump pump" or whatever the correct name is. Not too long after installing the second new print head (almost 2 years ago) it started flashing the code saying the pump was full. I no longer remember the exact code, but someone on here (as I recall) had posted the trick on how to reset it, and I did. And it returned to working, until recently when it still tries to print but as stated above, after 1 or 2 sheets it begins failing - lots of banding, incomplete colors or both.

So, without a service manual, I need advice 1) on how to remove the cover so I can access the so called "sump pump" and 2) clear it out or replace the sponge or whatever. If anyone has a service manual in .pdf file format, I would greatly appreciate a copy to study.

This being my first post here, I don't know all the tricks, especially for posting photographs. My reason to bring this up is - I've taken many shots of the first print head that I took out and dismantled, in case anyone would like to see how it's put together. Also I've got an attachment to fit on the end of a syringe that fits well over the individual ink filters for cleaning, and can post a picture of that if wanted.

For a more complete background, I buy a complete set of all 6 Canon BCI-6 ink cartridges and refill them with MIS inks for approximately 10 refills each, then start with a new set. I just ordered a new set of original Canon cartridges and would like to get this sump pump problem (any other identifiable problem) resolved before starting using them.

Thanks in advance,

Olin McDaniel

 

[brendo]

I for one, would like to see said photos so ill help ya out. ( cant help ya with the manual though sorry)

First go to http://imageshack.us/

 

[ghwellsjr]

This site has a simple means to upload pictures--just use the Upload menu item near the top of this page. If you need more instructions, click on the Index menu and go to the "Inkjet Stuff Forum Announcements & Feedback" forum and you will see the post called "Image Hosting - FREE" which will explain the details.

 

[Gooneybird]

I'm sorry not to have posted some of my pictures of the disassembled print head, but that isn't the main reason I started this subject. When I have the chance I will attempt to do the picture posting, but my urgency is in trying to straighten out the problem. As I posted - this printer is acting like it's starved for sufficient ink, after printing 1 and part of the 2nd sheet of photos on Photo paper. After doing all the head cleaning plus verifying the cartridges appear capable of supplying a flow of ink, thus I am concluding (hopefully correctly) that it has to do with a problem with the so called "sump pump". That's what I was asking for help on, and no one has responded on my primary need yet.

I'm perfectly capable and willing to dismantle this printer case and do whatever is recommended to check that pump and clean out the collection reservoir (if that's what's needed), but I need some guidance in getting started. Like how to take the case apart without damaging something. And where exactly is the sump (collection reservoir) located? And what to do with the sponge sitting on top of it? There have been lots of posts on this general subject over the past couple of years, but none related to this specific i950 printer. Apparently Canon didn't sell too many of this particular model, not sure why. But except for this particular problem this has been an exceptionally good printer.

Thanks for all usable suggestions.

Olin

 

[Grandad35]

Gooneybird,

Early in my refilling experience on BCI-6 carts, I ran into a similar ink starvation experience as you are reporting, and that is why I experimented with vacuum refilling. I later found that my problem was caused by a blockage in the sponge/filter, and subsequently developed this technique to clean carts when they became clogged.

Now, I test every cart immediately after refill and again immediately before installing it in the printer by gently blowing into the vent port on the top front of the cart with the exit port uncovered and judging how much pressure it takes to cause ink to flow from the exit port. This is fast and easy once you gain experience, but it is almost impossible to describe how much pressure to blow into the vent port. Another way to test the same thing is to block the exit port, remove the refill screw, unblock the exit port and let the cart drip for 10-20 seconds until the drip rate stabilizes. If my memory serves, you should get around 2 drops/second on a clean cart. When the drip rate falls to 2 seconds per drop, the cart is marginal and should be cleaned.

Since your first page prints correctly, you don't have a clogged head - if it was clogged the first print would also have banding. Likewise, a failed purge unit will tend to cause cross-contamination between colors when the printer sits idle for an extended period - not your problem. If the "waste ink tank" (actually an absorbent pad) was full, you would have ink oozing from under the printer and have a very large mess on your hands, but the printer would still print correctly. In any case, the printer keeps track of the amount of ink in the waste pad, and it will stop printing well before the pad gets saturated.

On my i9900, Photo Magenta has the highest usage, and it was also the most problematic ink from my initial supplier. IIRC, it only took a few refills for that color to starve the head for ink. It is my guess that you are experiencing ink starvation and that the new OEM carts will fix the problem, but I would check the drip rate on your refilled carts first. Try blowing into the vent and compare the pressure required for carts with high and low drip rates. If you have a blockage on just one or two carts, you might want to try dropping about 10 drops of Isopropyl alcohol onto those exit ports (to help dissolve some of the glop that builds up on the filter), waiting about 30 seconds and repeating the test (be sure to blow enough ink out of the cart to push the alcohol out of the filter). If this improves the operation, consider purging all of your carts.

Unopened OEM carts will last for a long time, and I would try and save them, if possible.

If you need a manual for your printer, contact Trigger37.

 

[Gooneybird]

Grandad

Thank you so much for your prompt reply, and my apologies for my delayed reply. (Other type of problems encountered as well as printer related.)

I'll discuss several points that you made or related to - separately, so please bear with me if it gets long-winded.

As stated earlier, I've been refilling these cartridges now for about 5 years, using a technique that I believe came from my ink supplier (MIS) when I started. In just the past few days, I've discovered this way is just one of at least 3 different methods. From what I just learned, your vacuum method is somewhat different than the one I use, and so is the so-called "German" method, which I just learned about the other day.

To describe my method fairly concisely - when the new cartridge needs refilling for the first time, I cap the exit opening with the original cover, and use a heavy rubber band to insure it's on tight. Then I punch the little round plastic ball into the ink chamber, leaving a hole into it for inserting the syringe-needle and filling. Then to seal it off, I place a small rubber ball or stopper in the hole and seal over this with a gob of silicone RTV compound and let it set for at least 30 minutes before reusing it. This method differs from yours specifically in that when I remove the cover from the exit hole, I rarely get any drops falling out. This does NOT fill the sponge chamber all the way to the top though, which I believe does happen with your vacuum filling method, doesn't it? Thus you do get drops upon removing the exit cover, and I don't. Since the original brand new cartridges do not have much ink above the mid point in the sponge chamber, I always thought that's the way they should be refilled. In the first several refills they seem to work just as first timers, no ink starvation after a few sheets being printed.

Back to your recent reply - I tried blowing into the vent hole (presuming this is the hole over the sponge chamber) and observing how much ink drips from the exit hole. As you stated - it's not easy to calibrate yourself into how much pressure it takes to generate a number of drops, so I'm too inexperienced in this to judge if the exit hole is clogging and that's the cause of my flow limitation. But I'm willing to accept your belief that is where the flow is being limited, if that's your conclusion.

Another comment on your reply. Since I normally seal the fill hole with the stopper and RTV silicone immediately after filling, it's only practical to test the drip rate with the cover off the exit opening immediately after filling but before sealing the fill hole. Do you recommend doing this? Would your rate of 2 drops/second down to 2 seconds per drop minimum fit this test as an acceptable rate? I could always add some more ink if needed before sealing. But would the difference in the amount you get in the sponge compartment from what I get, alter that drip rate?

As to using 10 drops of Isopropanol on the exit port sponge (or filter?), my normal supply of such alcohol is 91% strength, whereas normal rubbing alcohol is only 65%. Of course I could dilute mine slightly if you recommend that.

Your answer on the "waste tank" was most appreciated. In so many posts of many other models of Canon printers I get the impression there really is a tank below that little square sponge, and it has to be emptied when full. I can see the sponge with a flashlight when the complete print unit is moved to the opposite side (with power off), and it does look a bit soggy, it doesn't have any solid buildup on or around it. My reason for worrying about this comes from the many posts that infer that there is some suction or priming action going on from this item, and if it fails the flow may be interrupted to the nozzles causing them to burn out.

To wind this long winded tirade down - you mentioned purging all the cartridges. I looked at many of your earlier posts and some of your "clips" showing your technique for doing that. I've never tried that, but is it really worth while? Does it extend the usable life of the cartridges? If I can get 8 to 10 refills out of each new cartridge, I'm certainly satisfied.

Oh, one last thing. Most of my cartridges appear to have two different degrees of saturation in the sponge compartment, the upper half being much lighter in color or ink content than the lower half. I believe this is also how the brand new ones look, am I wrong there? My new ones are due today, but haven't arrived, so I can't answer this myself yet. Is this actually because of a different type of filler or fibrous material in the upper and lower halves, I wonder?

Thanks for bearing with me.

Olin McDaniel

 

[Grandad35]

Gooneybird,

Even though I experimented with vacuum refilling in the past, I now refill in the classic manner. Its not that vacuum refilling didnt work I just find the classic way easier. Once I learned to purge my carts when they start to gunk-up, my ink starvation problems have been eliminated - I have been refilling the same group of carts for almost 4 years now. I average 4-5 refills before I can sense an increase in the pressure required to blow ink from the carts, with 6-7 refills usually being the point where I purge them. Pushing them to 10 refills could be your problem, but it depends very much on your ink; each color behaves differently.

snip In the first several refills they seem to work just as first timers, no ink starvation after a few sheets being printed.

Have you answered your own question?

Your carts shouldnt drip when the refill hole is plugged; the drip test requires that the refill hole be open to atmosphere. If the only time that this is possible is immediately after refilling, so be it. Remember, this isnt how I test my carts its just an alternative way to test them until you get your oral pressure source calibrated. The drip rate should be fairly constant as the ink chamber empties and even as the sponge starts to empty.

The concentration of alcohol used for a test isnt that important, since its purpose is to lower the surface tension of the ink in the filter to make it easier for the ink to flow through a partially clogged filter. This is not a cure, only a test.

Only you can decide whether to purge or replace your carts and at what frequency; Im just stating how I do it. If new OEM carts fix your problem, you will have identified the source of your problem. Refilling and purging are much easier and faster if you have several sets of carts to work on simultaneously.

When you install your new carts, compare the "drip pressure" in side-by-side tests to see if you can sense the difference. You might want to experiment with purging the old set of carts now in the printer instead of throwing them away when you install your new carts. If you do, pay special attention to how much pressure is required to blow out ink before and after they are purged.

Some ink colors are more prone to gunking up than others, and some colors are definitely refilled more often than others. The point is that you may only have one or two carts that is causing your problem, and replacing all of your carts at the same time may not be necessary. To find the offending carts, however, you will need a way to test when a cart is becoming clogged. In my case, it is easy to purge every cart at the same time, cleaning the print head with IPA (syringe/flexible tubing) and blowing it out with compressed air to prevent clogs while the carts are out of the printer for a few days (while they dry).

You might want to look at this post to see how much ink a printer holds in the waste tank after the Waste tank full lockout has been reset 4 times without cleaning the pad. You have little to fear from an overflow if you clean the pad when you get the alarm.

 

[Gooneybird]

Grandad,

Thanks again for the prompt reply.


[Even though I experimented with vacuum refilling in the past, I now refill in the classic manner. Its not that vacuum refilling didnt work I just find the classic way easier. Once I learned to purge my carts when they start to gunk-up, my ink starvation problems have been eliminated - I have been refilling the same group of carts for almost 4 years now. I average 4-5 refills before I can sense an increase in the pressure required to blow ink from the carts, with 6-7 refills usually being the point where I purge them.]

I believe you have finally convinced me of something I should have realized long ago- i.e. all my concentration on the print head was mis-applied. It should have been focused on the cartridges themselves, and I had enough evidence but just ignored it!!!

I was not aware of the high interest in, and practice of "purging" or as some call it, "flushing" the cartridges. Today I pulled out a slightly used PM cartridge that I retired after only a couple of refills because I could see coagulated particulate in the ink tank, and felt this would cause a problem. It's been sitting idle and completely sealed for about a year. And it's now totally plugged!!! SO - I'm now a complete convert, totally convinced of your position. I may play with this one a little to try to clear it so I can maybe eventually "purge" it, but that's no longer critical.

Somewhere in one of your earlier posts I read where you were still using your original cartridges, and never had to replace them. That convinced me!!! I gotta learn how to "purge" and dry effectively. That's my next challenge.

And you say the "full waste tank" warning could go to the fourth report before having to worry about it, improves my attitude there. I've only had to reset it once, so far.

So, let me try to move into the group using the better practices, and start the purging practice. I did receive the new OEM cartridges late yesterday, but will keep them unopened for a while longer.

Olin

 

[Gooneybird]

Sorry about my fouling up the quote from Grandad's last post, but I'm fairly new in this forum. The paragraph enclosed in brackets [ ] should have shown as a quote from his last post.

 

[Grandad35]

And you say the "full waste tank" warning could go to the fourth report before having to worry about it, improves my attitude there. I've only had to reset it once, so far.

To be clear, I did not say that you could reset the "full waste tank" error 4 times without fear - only that Craig was able to do this on one of his printers. I have read of a number of people who only clean the pad on every other reset. If you are going for 4 resets, I would put the printer on something like a "cookie sheet" just in case some ink oozes out.