Tip for Canon inkjet Printer/Multifunction users

[Zepper]

Not too long ago, my iP3000 started getting smears and streaks in my standard quality printing that I couldn't clear by using the head cleaning routine. So I disassembled the print carriage and noticed little lines or ridges and bumps of gritty looking stuff on the nozzle plate of the print head. Turns out it was caked on ink pigment from the black ink.

. I cleaned that off with alcohol and swabs using a rolling motion instead of rubbing or wiping so as not to damage the nozzles. It'll take quite a few swabs to get it all if yours is like mine. Anyway, when I got that gunk off there and put the head carriage back together, the messy printing in standard mode was gone. I don't know why there was no problem in High quality mode - maybe the slower head speed reduces the ink slinging off the deposits. Don't forget to do a nozzle check and head alignment after doing the cleaning.

The color nozzles were nice and clean (they are dye-based in the iP3k), so I think the problem will mostly occur in those printers that use the pigmented ink (generally the BCI-3e series of ink tanks).

. It took over a year of printing before I noticed the problem - not bad in my book.

. Anyway, maybe this will be useful to some of you.

.bh.

 

[Zepper]

bump

 

[SKORPI0]

I made the mistake of completely disassembling the iP5000 printhead as a last resort. The BCI-6Bk was not printing. Repeated deepcleaning cycles and cleaning with alcohol swabs did not help. Spraying the printhead (not advisable according to the Canon rep) with warm water did not improve anyhting. Same thing using a suction device with a syringe.

Thanks to a 1 year parts replacement warranty I was shipped a new printhead within 2 days.

BTW, reinking with those refill kits probably was the cause of all my problems. Looks like I'll have to stick with ordering OEMS or probalby a continious ink system.

 

[Lemon law]

What may be missed here is that all inkjets do build up deposits over time. With the printhead on the cartridge type printer--basically all HP's, Lexmarks, and Dells--the build up problem is taken care of by replacing the cartridge because you get a new printhead. In exchange the printer manufacter has you by the shorthairs--forcing you to use their propreitory cartridge design. Bottom line being that such printers feature high cost cartridges for the benefit of the printer manufacter. Refilling such printers can beat them somewhat--but even then--such printheads seldom last many refills.

Leaving only Epson and the non-chipped canon printers. The printhead is of higher quality and the cartridges for such printers is easily duplicatable by third parties. And such third party cartridges
force moderation in OEM ink prices and allow super economy when such cartridges are used.

But here the Canon and Epson line differs. In canons the printhead is user removable and user serviceable--making the above Zepper cleaning method possible. In Epsons the printhead is factory service only.

 

[Zepper]

Well I have successfully pulled the print head on an Epson or two, but probably not something that one with low mechanical skilz would want to undertake. While the Canons are a piece of cake.

.bh.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: SKORPI0

BTW, reinking with those refill kits probably was the cause of all my problems. Looks like I'll have to stick with ordering OEMS or probalby a continious ink system.

I am thinking about same thing with my old BJC6000 I hope I won't use with my new ip4000!

 

[Lemon law]

Very many people refill canons with zero printhead problems. But a warning about generic inkjet refill kits. Not only is it likely that a generic ink designed for all printers will likely have a bad color balance in any given printer, but one runs a huge danger that they might use a pigmented ink that will be certain death for a printhead designed for dye based inks.

So make sure any refill kit you buy is formulated for the printer you own.----good information can be found on good refill inks at the nifty stuff forums.-----I am seriously considering trying a hobbicolor kit myself as they include a screw seal type refillable cartridge.

 

[imported_Sincity]

I use generics on my MP780 and have went through about 10 sets already. So far no problems. Again, the head comes out so easy for cleaning and they are cheap to replace. Of all of my previous inkjets (Epson and HP) the Canon has been the most economical.

 

[mchammer]

canon ftw

 

[Zepper]

?ftw?

.bh.