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Thread ID: 66128 2006-02-12 07:01:00 Blocked ink cartridge johnd (85) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
429407 2006-02-12 07:01:00 I have a Epson C61 ink jet printer which shows ample ink levels but will not clear the red colour when put through the cleaning cycle.

Is there anything else that can be done - or do I not purchase a "HERO" cartridge again?

John
johnd (85)
429408 2006-02-12 07:37:00 If there is a blockage, it could be in the print head, not necessarily the cartridge?

If the non-standard ink has blocked or damaged the actual piezo printhead, then it may be uneconomic to replace it.

I guess a new cartridge would be the cheapest way to determine what exactly is blocked.
godfather (25)
429409 2006-02-12 07:51:00 I guess a new cartridge would be the cheapest way to determine what exactly is blocked.

I have put another cartridge in - on eI had sitting for a reason I can't remember with cellotape across the jet openings. It works fine.

John
johnd (85)
429410 2006-02-12 08:00:00 That's a relief, at least the printer is not destined for the tip!

There are a lot of critical factors in ink cartridges, including the ink consistency and the internal "negative pressure" required by many systems. Never yet seen a home filled or "remanufactured" and rebranded one that gets it right. Gave up on them some time ago, accepting the cost of ink as an unavoidable running cost.

I use the colour inkjet for business reports with embedded images, the quality must therefore be perfect. No refilled or rebranded one has ever managed to be acceptable at that level for me.

Would be fine for school project stiff probably, but not when your letterhead is at the top of the page.
godfather (25)
429411 2006-02-12 08:16:00 So the cartridge is not fixable?

Must admit I have used non-brandname cartridges in both our printers (Epson 400 and C61) for years with next to no problems up to this one.
johnd (85)
429412 2006-02-12 09:04:00 Make sure the hole at the top of the red chamber is not blocked. zqwerty (97)
429413 2006-02-12 09:07:00 Can you just stick (say) a pin into it? johnd (85)
429414 2006-02-12 10:02:00 Fixed my brothers epson printer cartridge by the following:
If there is a needle hole at top of cartridge, try getting the flow to go by
[1] putting some paper tissues or something absorbant on a plastic bag to collect ink that will come out of the cartridge.
[2] Then, with your lips sealing the area around the hole, blow really hard into that hole. Ink should come flying out the bottom of the cartridge.
[3] Note if all of the colours appear, and try again if it didn't. I was often told that Epson cartridges tend to get air blockages or something to that effect. Would be a pity to waste expensive cartridges.
MMM (5660)
429415 2006-02-12 10:03:00 Wipe the bottom of the cartridge with soft tissue and see if the cartridge gives RGB output that is fairly similar for the outlets. I am presuming that the piezo assembly is a separate part and you are plugging the refill into it. The red should be non existent since you have this fault and it works with another refill.

If it is not then you are out of luck I have tried many solutions to clear blocked printheads, ie ammonia, vinegar, water and alcohol, none worked.

Since this is do or die I guess you could try a pin or 1 mm drill, better would be to pressurize with a hypodermic plunger assembly and rubber washer and try to get ink coming out the bottom as with the two colors that are working you could also suck the bottom although that could get messy lol.
zqwerty (97)
429416 2006-02-13 01:33:00 If its one that has been recharged,take it back.
You can take it out and dab it on a tissue and that will help draw the ink out.
Pancake (6359)
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