What does a dead Canon print head look like?

[overload]

Had it clog many times usually just one color, just cleaned it out
(Windex plus canned air always worked).

This time, I cleaned it out (air flows through all segements) but it
has lost all six colors. Is this how it dies?

Just want to find out before I spend money on a print head when it
might be the whole printer. (i9100, 11x17, $$$, CIS would have to be
replaced also as the 11x17 now has 8 colors).

Thanks.

Jim

 

[measekite]

It appears that you are having trouble because you are not using Canon
Factory ink.

 

[Frank]

Had it clog many times usually just one color, just cleaned it out
(Windex plus canned air always worked).

This time, I cleaned it out (air flows through all segements) but it
has lost all six colors. Is this how it dies?

Just want to find out before I spend money on a print head when it
might be the whole printer. (i9100, 11x17, $$$, CIS would have to be
replaced also as the 11x17 now has 8 colors).

Thanks.

Jim

Mentally picture meashershithead and you've got it!
Frank

 

[Burt]

Mentally picture meashershithead and you've got it!
Frank

I've read a few posts over the years of people who tried compressed air to
clear clogs and had the print head die. Overzealous cleaning can also do
it. I don't know exactly why, but I know it happens. Go onto the
Nifty-Stuff Forum, click on the first FAQ about why your printer doesn't
print properly, and go through that extremely long thread to see if there is
anything you can do to revive it. My feeling is that you do the least
invasive procedure first and progressively try each next step.

 

[Irwin Peckinloomer]

It appears that you are having trouble because you are not using Canon
Factory ink.

Why would you (let me rephrase that) why would any sane person assume
that?

 

[Olin K. McDaniel]

I've read a few posts over the years of people who tried compressed air to
clear clogs and had the print head die. Overzealous cleaning can also do
it. I don't know exactly why, but I know it happens. Go onto the
Nifty-Stuff Forum, click on the first FAQ about why your printer doesn't
print properly, and go through that extremely long thread to see if there is
anything you can do to revive it. My feeling is that you do the least
invasive procedure first and progressively try each next step.

I agree with the above advice exactly, having effectively destroyed
most of my printhead's nozzles through too vigorous cleaning
procedures. Mine did not include blowing air through it, but did
include forcing liquid through each of the color inlets, and also
using an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with the print nozzles immersed in
the fluid being driven by the ultrasonic energy. Actually, I probably
only hastened the full death of the printhead, it had already begun
dying after over 30 months of hard service. I was unwilling to accept
that at the time, so did the final overzealous terminal act. Sort of
like "heal it or kill it".

Olin McDaniel

 

[overload]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I just have to order a new one and
hope the problem is actually the head and not the printer.

Thanks again.

Jim