Missing Cyan Lines in Test Print

[m_s_p]

I am having problems with some cyan bars missing from my test prints on our sp540i. I've done multiple normal, med, and one powerful cleaning which didn't help. I was told that we should try replacing our cap tops. I just changed the cap tops and I still have the same problems.

Is there anything else that I can try to get the head printing correctly again?

I'm having problems with my greys being brownish like warm gray rather than bluer like a cool grey.

 

[artbot]

not familiar with the 540i test print. does it make two passes? because the missing nozzles on the top and bottom are identical patterns. one thing to note... when getting a concentrated "halo" of missing nozzles (and the missing area doesn't move around), that is sometimes a sign of a clogged up head manifold.

also, have you gotten a visual of the bottom of that head?

 

[m_s_p]

The machine does make 2 passes for the test print. How can I take a look at the head? Do I remove the maintenance cover and move the heads to the left side?

 

[Gabriel]

Any improvement after powerful cleaning? It's the same problem all the time? Did you had a head strike?
Take a cleaning stick with cleaning liquid on it and gently touch the print-head surface(not rub but easily press). Try also to take the cap-top out from the pump line(there is a joint there), grab a syringe and pull some ink through the cap-top (of course the print-heads must be in the capping position). You should have vacuum in the syringe and you should pull ink. Do that couple of times(2-3 times -depending on the syringe). If you don't have vacuum in the syringe, then maybe it's the damper or the manifold. Then, if everything is ok (have vacuum and pull ink in the syringe), do a normal cleaning from the menu. Do a test print and see if there are any improvements (new nozzles "returned").
If that won't work, I guess nothing will(maybe head soaking ????) and you will have to replace the print-head.
Hope that helps.

 

[m_s_p]

No improvement after the powerful cleaning.

I believe it is the same problem all the time.

I had a few head strikes last month, but didn't notice anything wrong with the prints at that time.

Over the last few months a large corporate client has changed from Warm Gray 11 to a cooler Gray 425. I had no problems matching the WG 11, but I have a lot of problems matching the 425 which made me look at the test prints and Cyan head.

I'll try to get my hands on a syringe and see if that will help.

 

[m_s_p]

I was able to pull ink with a syringe. I pulled about 6mL. Is that enough or do I need to pull more?

Pulling the ink didn't help. I also tried cleaning the head which didn't help either? Anything else I should try before I get a tech out to change the head?

 

[Gabriel]

Just try to pull more ink..see if that helps. If not, then a technician is required to replace the print-head.

 

[artbot]

get down low with a flash light. push the carriage off to the left a bit (speaking of jv3) or slide the carriage off to the far left (if there's a cleaning area...still speaking of jv3).

 

[m_s_p]

I've tried pulling more ink and no improvement. When I print a mix of 30C 0M 0Y 25k I still get M and Y in the print. Is that a result of the bad cyan head or could that be a different issue?

When I had the head strikes a month ago the head was moving right to left so it hit the MY head not the CK head. Do head strikes usually affect the head that hits first or can it affect either head?

 

[rushworks graphics]

maybe time to get a tech out to fix the problem?? just sayin............maybe worth the call out fee etc getting it sorted.

 

[m_s_p]

I called a tech and just travel is $300 + $1200 for a new head + $400 labor. I'm not against it, but I just want to make sure I've covered everything I can before they come out. If he doesn't bring the right parts I'm probably out at least another $500 so they can travel again.

 

[artbot]

if you had a head strike and the printer didn't get worse after the strike, you didn't get any damage from it. you are in the clear. if you are dead set on changing the head. take out the head. take off the manifold and see if it's locked up/clogged on that side. you've got nothing to lose.

 

[Robert M]

That head

didn't read all the suggestions but here is what I would do
1) get a mirror and make sure the head is not damaged
2) get a syringe and try to gently push some cleaning fluid through the nibbles on the top of the head
3) if that does not work, pull the head and soak the head in about an 1/8 inch of cleaning solution overnight.
4) repeat step 2
5) still not working, try drawing cleaning solution up through the head while it is soaking in some very clean cleaning solution. The channels where the ink exit the head are funnel shaped so it is easier to pull a clog up rather then pushing it down.
If step 5 works, pull the manifold off the head and flush it out, there is a filter inside the manifold that may be dirty

all else fails get a new head at www.solventinkjet.com and I'll throw in a tech manual so you can fix it yourself.