Possible print head clog with IP4500

[tsu3000]

You're going to have to replace the waste ink pads, too. Hobbicolors pigment black ink has the same problem as the original Inktec pigment black ink that I used for many years and clogged up many printers that I was taking care of. And don't use Hobbicolors pigment black ink anymore.

I plan to start using OctoInkjet for their inks once my current supply of Hobbicolors runs out. I heard good things about OctoInkjet and the fact they are based in UK means I don't have to pay too much in shipping costs

Thanks for the tips.

 

[tsu3000]

I found this video on disassembling the iP4500 on YouTube. Part one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcreqnT8lvg and part two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIlJbrOYXP4&feature=related

A simplified service manual is here: http://www.gondack.com.ar/media/useruploads/files/ip4500-ssm.pdf
It has no instructions on disassembly, but other info that might be useful.

Good luck in unclogging the purge system.
Peter.

Thanks for the links. These will come in handy at some point. Do you know if there is a full service manual for IP4500?

 

[PeterBJ]

I don't know. Google only found some links to the simplified manual.

 

[l_d_allan]

Do you know if there is a full service manual for IP4500?

IIRC, I've seen vendors with manuals for perhaps $3 USD on eBay. However, I have to suspect that they are violating Canon copyrights to sell these. (don't get me started on ip abuse)

I plan to start using OctoInkjet for their inks once my current supply of Hobbicolors runs out. I heard good things about OctoInkjet and the fact they are based in UK means I don't have to pay too much in shipping costs

That might be "penny wise and pound foolish". What is your time worth?

Compatible ink is really, really inexpensive ... at least compared to retail oem. Yeah, shipping & handling add up with small orders. Ouch.

If you suspect problems (which may or may not be due to Hobbicolors ink ... perhaps it is because of that guy in the mirror ???) .... try an alternative. Life's too short to deal with clogs more than monthly, imo.

Normally, you don't want to mix ink from different vendors .... possible chemical reactions. However, this pigment newbie believes that PGI-5Bk ink is only used on plain b/w text on an iP4500 with MediaTypelain, and I don't think it is likely, and perhaps not even possible ... to have dye and ink mixed together on the same print.

My speculation is that a print of mostly b/w text with some colored text and maybe charts ... on plain paper MediaType would use the CLI-8B Black cart for the black text on that page. The PGI-5BK cart wouldn't be used in that situation. The CLI-8B wouldn't be as deep black as the PGI-5BK black, and might smear if wet, but would probably be much less prone to clog the print-head nozzles.

This is the kind of thing it would take "invisible ink" with cleaning carts to confirm ... which I believe "Saint George the clog slayer" has done.

Or do something equivalent to my situation if you have the room ... get a used laser jet for b/w text, and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER print text with your inkjet, other than unavoidable nozzle checks (which you should do weekly anyway). Then you really don't care about how PGI-5Bk is doing.

My 2 worth.

 

[ghwellsjr]

The problem with this printer is a clog in the purge system, not in the print head. If the purge system is not working then it will look like the nozzles are clogged when you really can't tell. That's why I always recommend when all the nozzles of a certain color are not working to check the purge system. That's what I did on post #7, my first post on this thread.

Canon gives a wrong impression in the Print Advisor when they give an option to print "Fast-print all-black text" because as long as you are printing on plain paper, it will always use the pigment black ink (unless you select borderless). Furthermore, if you select duplex printing on plain paper, it will mix pigment black ink with dye cyan and magenta to reduce "show through". Photos printed on plain paper will mix pigment black ink with the three dye colors so there's no problem mixing pigment and dye inks.

I have done a tremendous amount of pigment black ink printing on plain paper with no problems as far a nozzle clogs go, even with the problematic Inktec pigment ink. In fact, the more printing you do, the less likely you will have a problem. I think if you always selected a photo paper, even when printing on plain paper, you probably would end up with some clogged nozzles.

But I don't recommend that you use up your supply of Hobbicolors pigment black ink. I still have a lot of Inktec pigment black for BCI-3eBK that I won't use in any printer. My tests have shown that their new PGI-220Bk ink does not have the same problem.

 

[tsu3000]

*UPDATE 4* - SUCCESS!

Just to give an update on the progress and I have finally unclogged the printer head and all seems to be working fine now.

Looking back it was not only a head clog but also a partially clogged purge unit that caused all the problems. After trying to unclog the head for several days, the nozzle checks were getting progressively better but the grid patterned was still not printing 100%. Parts of the pattern were missing. Then my attention focused on the purge unit. I started to fill the purge tray with solution and waiting for about 3 days (topping up where necessary) without printing. Then I decided to do one last nozzle check and hey presto everything just worked - I got the perfect nozzle check! It was a relief since I did not fancy opening up the case.

A big thank you to all that contributed - it was a great help!

 

[ghwellsjr]

Does the liquid that you place on the purge pad get sucked away when you do a cleaning? If not, you still have a purge system problem that will not go away all by itself. Sometimes you can get the nozzles to work by soaking as you did, but the problem will come back as ink accumulates on the pad if it won't get sucked away. Maybe you can periodically clean the pruge pad to prolong the life of your printer.

If it does get sucked away, I would recommend that you use a lot of Windex in hopes of getting the waste ink pads to start flowing again and please don't use Hobbicolors pigment black ink.

 

[tsu3000]

Does the liquid that you place on the purge pad get sucked away when you do a cleaning? If not, you still have a purge system problem that will not go away all by itself. Sometimes you can get the nozzles to work by soaking as you did, but the problem will come back as ink accumulates on the pad if it won't get sucked away. Maybe you can periodically clean the pruge pad to prolong the life of your printer.

If it does get sucked away, I would recommend that you use a lot of Windex in hopes of getting the waste ink pads to start flowing again and please don't use Hobbicolors pigment black ink.

Yes the solution does get drained away but I am not sure if there should be a little solution left on the pad. I will keep an eye on it.

Thanks.