Canon S530D inkjet printer, uses the BCI-3 series of ink cartridges.

I had a clog that "clean" and "deep cleaning" functions did not clear. I
decided to try cleaning the print head. I removed it (easy to unlock) and
took out the ink cartridges. I used methyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to
clean ink feeds in the print head assembly and the print heads. I let the
print heads stand in the methyl for a few hours.

The print head looked very clean. After carefully drying, I reinserted the
ink cartridges ( 3 color and 1 black) into the respective slots, and
reinstalled the print head assembly into the printer.

A print head test (from driver software control) showed that each of the 3
color heads and the black head printed close to a perfect pattern formation.
However, the color control is off. That is, I get orange but no red or
close to red color, either in the test pattern or in printing from a known
source with definite reds present. Also, when printing in grey scale only
(driver grey scale only box checked), I get blacks, some tones of grey but
other mid-tones of grey come out as a light green.

My guess is that something in the print head or conductor lines associated
with the print head, got broken and/or crossed causing the ink flow control
to no longer correctly respond to driver inputs.

Any repair thoughts, other than buy a new print head assembly?

Chuck Warren wrote:

>Canon S530D inkjet printer, uses the BCI-3 series of ink cartridges.
>
>I had a clog that "clean" and "deep cleaning" functions did not clear. I
>decided to try cleaning the print head. I removed it (easy to unlock) and
>took out the ink cartridges. I used methyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to
>clean ink feeds in the print head assembly and the print heads. I let the
>print heads stand in the methyl for a few hours.
>
>The print head looked very clean. After carefully drying, I reinserted the
>ink cartridges ( 3 color and 1 black) into the respective slots, and
>reinstalled the print head assembly into the printer.
>
>A print head test (from driver software control) showed that each of the 3
>color heads and the black head printed close to a perfect pattern formation.
>However, the color control is off. That is, I get orange but no red or
>close to red color, either in the test pattern or in printing from a known
>source with definite reds present. Also, when printing in grey scale only
>(driver grey scale only box checked), I get blacks, some tones of grey but
>other mid-tones of grey come out as a light green.
>
>My guess is that something in the print head or conductor lines associated
>with the print head, got broken and/or crossed causing the ink flow control
>to no longer correctly respond to driver inputs.
>
>Any repair thoughts, other than buy a new print head assembly?
>
>
YEAH IT IS TIME TO STOP WASTING TIME. GO BUY A CANON IP5200 AND USE OEM
INK. YOU WILL ENJOY PRINTING AGAIN.

>
>
>

1st: Methyl alcohol is not "rubbing alcohol", it's a caustic substance that
should never be used around a printer. Here's hoping you used isopropyl
alcohol. Warm water and a little ammonia would be as good.

Soaking the head, you probably have inks mixed in the heads. Get some test
pages of the 3 colors and print several at normal settings. This should
clear the heads pretty well. Also, "drying" heads is not usually a good
idea, they want to go right back into the printer with tanks inserted as
soon as possible.


"Chuck Warren" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:-9GdnchLkfcKOXHeRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Canon S530D inkjet printer, uses the BCI-3 series of ink cartridges.
>
> I had a clog that "clean" and "deep cleaning" functions did not clear. I
> decided to try cleaning the print head. I removed it (easy to unlock) and
> took out the ink cartridges. I used methyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to
> clean ink feeds in the print head assembly and the print heads. I let the
> print heads stand in the methyl for a few hours.
>
> The print head looked very clean. After carefully drying, I reinserted
the
> ink cartridges ( 3 color and 1 black) into the respective slots, and
> reinstalled the print head assembly into the printer.
>
> A print head test (from driver software control) showed that each of the 3
> color heads and the black head printed close to a perfect pattern
formation.
> However, the color control is off. That is, I get orange but no red or
> close to red color, either in the test pattern or in printing from a known
> source with definite reds present. Also, when printing in grey scale only
> (driver grey scale only box checked), I get blacks, some tones of grey but
> other mid-tones of grey come out as a light green.
>
> My guess is that something in the print head or conductor lines associated
> with the print head, got broken and/or crossed causing the ink flow
control
> to no longer correctly respond to driver inputs.
>
> Any repair thoughts, other than buy a new print head assembly?
>
>

I know it will cost you about $50 for a complete set of new genuine
Canon cartridges, but that's probably your problem. Unless, of
course, you are already using them. I have been using aftermarket
cartridges in two Canon printers for over two years and never had a
problem. Recently by swapping print head assemblies and ink
cartridges between the two printers I found the ink to be the problem.
I bought a set of real Canon cartridges and the problem vanished
immediately. I haven't given up on the aftermarket cartridges but
will replace the Canon's one by one as they run dry and see what
happens.

(E-Mail Removed)



On Wed, 8 Feb 2006 15:54:40 -0600, "Chuck Warren"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Canon S530D inkjet printer, uses the BCI-3 series of ink cartridges.
>
>I had a clog that "clean" and "deep cleaning" functions did not clear. I
>decided to try cleaning the print head. I removed it (easy to unlock) and
>took out the ink cartridges. I used methyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to
>clean ink feeds in the print head assembly and the print heads. I let the
>print heads stand in the methyl for a few hours.
>
>The print head looked very clean. After carefully drying, I reinserted the
>ink cartridges ( 3 color and 1 black) into the respective slots, and
>reinstalled the print head assembly into the printer.
>
>A print head test (from driver software control) showed that each of the 3
>color heads and the black head printed close to a perfect pattern formation.
>However, the color control is off. That is, I get orange but no red or
>close to red color, either in the test pattern or in printing from a known
>source with definite reds present. Also, when printing in grey scale only
>(driver grey scale only box checked), I get blacks, some tones of grey but
>other mid-tones of grey come out as a light green.
>
>My guess is that something in the print head or conductor lines associated
>with the print head, got broken and/or crossed causing the ink flow control
>to no longer correctly respond to driver inputs.
>
>Any repair thoughts, other than buy a new print head assembly?
>

John N. Ayres wrote:

>I know it will cost you about $50 for a complete set of new genuine
>Canon cartridges, but that's probably your problem. Unless, of
>course, you are already using them. I have been using aftermarket
>cartridges in two Canon printers for over two years and never had a
>problem.
>
THOUSANDS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS

> Recently by swapping print head assemblies and ink
>cartridges between the two printers I found the ink to be the problem.
>I bought a set of real Canon cartridges and the problem vanished
>immediately. I haven't given up on the aftermarket cartridges but
>will replace the Canon's one by one as they run dry and see what
>happens.
>
>
>
SOUND LIKE YOU NEED TO REPLACE DA BRANE

>(E-Mail Removed)
>
>
>
>On Wed, 8 Feb 2006 15:54:40 -0600, "Chuck Warren"
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>
>
>>Canon S530D inkjet printer, uses the BCI-3 series of ink cartridges.
>>
>>I had a clog that "clean" and "deep cleaning" functions did not clear. I
>>decided to try cleaning the print head. I removed it (easy to unlock) and
>>took out the ink cartridges. I used methyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to
>>clean ink feeds in the print head assembly and the print heads. I let the
>>print heads stand in the methyl for a few hours.
>>
>>The print head looked very clean. After carefully drying, I reinserted the
>>ink cartridges ( 3 color and 1 black) into the respective slots, and
>>reinstalled the print head assembly into the printer.
>>
>>A print head test (from driver software control) showed that each of the 3
>>color heads and the black head printed close to a perfect pattern formation.
>>However, the color control is off. That is, I get orange but no red or
>>close to red color, either in the test pattern or in printing from a known
>>source with definite reds present. Also, when printing in grey scale only
>>(driver grey scale only box checked), I get blacks, some tones of grey but
>>other mid-tones of grey come out as a light green.
>>
>>My guess is that something in the print head or conductor lines associated
>>with the print head, got broken and/or crossed causing the ink flow control
>>to no longer correctly respond to driver inputs.
>>
>>Any repair thoughts, other than buy a new print head assembly?
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>