Refill ink clogging printhead?

[jbclem]

I have an HP cp1160, the printheads are separate from the cartridge. I've
been refilling the black cartridge without problems for some time now, even
though the ink is not the correct pigmented ink. Recently I bought a
different refill kit, from Costco, and I started having problems with the
black printhead clogging up. I soaked it a number of times with iso alcohol
(91%) and eventually it unclogged. But what happens now is that it works
for 10 or 20 pages and then clogs up again. It is fairly easy to unclog it
now, 10 minute soak in the alcohol, but it clogs up again quickly.

I'm wondering if the new ink from Costco is so much worse than the original
refill ink that it's causing this quick clogging, or if there is just some
residual ink inside the printhead that I can't clear out, no matter what I
do. BTW, the one good thing about the Costco kit, besides the price, was
the printhead cleaning solution that came with it...works better than the
alcohol, but they don't include much with the kit.

I realize the lesson learned here is to use the correct ink, but I'm puzzled
that the first refill ink I used worked for months without a problem, and it
was not the right stuff either. Any ideas or solutions for my problem?
What's the best way to clean out a clogged printhead, etc...

John

 

[Larry Fieman]

<snip>

been refilling the black cartridge ... I realize the lesson learned here

is to use the correct ink, but I'm puzzled that the first refill ink I used
worked for months without a problem, and it was not the right stuff either.
Any ideas or solutions for my problem?

Here's a couple of possibilities.
1. bubbles. Sometimes the clogged HP carts work better after a vigorous
shaking. I put one in a plastic bag or two and shake real hard. I've even
attached the bag to a string and whirled it around my head fast, with a
series of abrupt stops.
2. squeezing. The cartridge has to be squeezed the correct amount while
the ink fill is open to air, and then released after the ink fill is closed.
Too much squeezing and the cart will clog. Method #1 may help if the cart
is oversqueezed. I like to use a C-clamp for keeping the cart squeezed
while filling.

Regards,
L

 

[Yianni]

It's not the ink, the tubes/printhead got air inside.

--

 

[Old Nick]

1. bubbles. Sometimes the clogged HP carts work better after a vigorous
shaking. I put one in a plastic bag or two and shake real hard. I've even
attached the bag to a string and whirled it around my head fast, with a
series of abrupt stops.
2. squeezing. The cartridge has to be squeezed the correct amount while
the ink fill is open to air, and then released after the ink fill is closed.
Too much squeezing and the cart will clog. Method #1 may help if the cart
is oversqueezed. I like to use a C-clamp for keeping the cart squeezed
while filling.

Sorry. I have considered BOTH of these things for ink cartridges, but
not with the idea of resuscitation! I especially like the abrupt stop
method <G>
**************************************************** sorry
remove ns from my header address to reply via email

I was frightened by the idea of a conspiracy that was
causing it all.
But then I was terrified that maybe there was no plan,
really. Is this unpleasant mess all a mistake?