Epson 890 - ink is getting onto the paper transport rollers

[Martin]

I have an Epson Photo Stylus 890 printer. Whenever a page prints, it appears
to be placing a thin black link of ink onto the small grey rollers that feed
the paper through as the print progresses. Every sweep of the ink cartridge
seems to place just a little bit more black ink onto the rollers and from
there onto the paper itself.
This means that a fresh printout starts off clean, but gets progressively
worse down the page essentially leaving a roller edged line down the sheet.
The ink carriage is quite close to the rollers when it sweeps, but does not
touch it - so where is the ink coming from. Even if I print out just text
which is cyan in colour (therefore not using any black), I still get the
black deposited on the rollers.
Any ideas what could be causing this and how I can correct it. I do not feel
confident enough yet to try and dismantle anything (warranty is out of date
now) as I may end up totally knackering it.
Is it worth sending it to Epson or would that cost more than it is worth.

TIA
Martin

 

[Kennedy McEwen]

I have an Epson Photo Stylus 890 printer. Whenever a page prints, it appears
to be placing a thin black link of ink onto the small grey rollers that feed
the paper through as the print progresses. Every sweep of the ink cartridge
seems to place just a little bit more black ink onto the rollers and from
there onto the paper itself.
This means that a fresh printout starts off clean, but gets progressively
worse down the page essentially leaving a roller edged line down the sheet.
The ink carriage is quite close to the rollers when it sweeps, but does not
touch it - so where is the ink coming from. Even if I print out just text
which is cyan in colour (therefore not using any black), I still get the
black deposited on the rollers.
Any ideas what could be causing this and how I can correct it. I do not feel
confident enough yet to try and dismantle anything (warranty is out of date
now) as I may end up totally knackering it.

Have you checked for lint on the ink pads? Or under the head? Even a
small amount of lint can wick ink and cause this type of effect - keep
your printer under a dust cover when not in use.

 

[Joel]

I have an Epson Photo Stylus 890 printer. Whenever a page prints, it appears
to be placing a thin black link of ink onto the small grey rollers thatfeed
the paper through as the print progresses. Every sweep of the ink cartridge
seems to place just a little bit more black ink onto the rollers and from
there onto the paper itself.
This means that a fresh printout starts off clean, but gets progressively
worse down the page essentially leaving a roller edged line down the sheet.
The ink carriage is quite close to the rollers when it sweeps, but doesnot
touch it - so where is the ink coming from. Even if I print out just text
which is cyan in colour (therefore not using any black), I still get the
black deposited on the rollers.
Any ideas what could be causing this and how I can correct it. I do notfeel
confident enough yet to try and dismantle anything (warranty is out of date
now) as I may end up totally knackering it.
Is it worth sending it to Epson or would that cost more than it is worth.

TIA
Martin

I huess the best thing you can do is wiping off the ink spilled around
the print head and go from there.

 

[Martin]

There is no lint on the ink pad. How can I remove any lint from under the
head? I cannot find any easy way to get anything under the carriage system
to be able to clean it. Unless I take it apart, I am not sure what I can do.
As I have no instructions anywhere on how to dismantle the printer, I am a
bit unsure as to what to do. I admit it that I am worried that I will mess
up the whole printer. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

Martin

Have you checked for lint on the ink pads? Or under the head? Even a
small amount of lint can wick ink and cause this type of effect - keep
your printer under a dust cover when not in use.
--
Kennedy
Yes, Socrates himself is particularly missed;
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pissed.
Python Philosophers (replace 'nospam' with 'kennedym' when

replying)

 

[Joel]

There is no lint on the ink pad. How can I remove any lint from under the
head? I cannot find any easy way to get anything under the carriage system
to be able to clean it. Unless I take it apart, I am not sure what I can do.
As I have no instructions anywhere on how to dismantle the printer, I am a
bit unsure as to what to do. I admit it that I am worried that I will mess
up the whole printer. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

Martin

You just use Q-tip, or a napkin, toilet paper whatever you see around
you then reach to the header (bottom of the ink cartridges) to clean it.
You may need some alcohol, and may check the place where the print head
rest and removing extra ink etc..

No, you don't have to break the printer to do cleaning, just MOVE the
print head out of the resting place then you can reach the print head
just fine.

 

[Kennedy McEwen]

There is no lint on the ink pad. How can I remove any lint from under the
head? I cannot find any easy way to get anything under the carriage system
to be able to clean it. Unless I take it apart, I am not sure what I can do.
As I have no instructions anywhere on how to dismantle the printer, I am a
bit unsure as to what to do. I admit it that I am worried that I will mess
up the whole printer. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

Martin, with the printer switched off, looking into the front of the
printer, the print head is parked on the right. Just under the left
side of the print head, on the visible side, there is a small white
lever. Move that forward towards you so that it slips under the platen
and then the print head can be moved left along the runners by hand. Put
a windex dampened (not soaked) paper towel in the platen and move the
head over it several times until it stops leaving a trail of ink. You
might need to use several paper towels to clear it all. Finally, push
the printer back to its parked position - don't worry about the lever,
it will return to normal the next time the head parks.