Epson heads seriously clogged

[LiWen]

I've an Epson 1290 for 3 years now, and have always used Epson
cartridges on it with no problem, but I didn't use it for a whole
year last year and now both the colour and black print heads are
clogged. I've used the head clean utility at least half a dozen times
since and the results are not improving with each clean. In fact,
after changing the colour cartridge just now, the nozzle test print
gave me a few black lines where it should be light blue. Any ideas on
what I can do ?

 

[measekite]

I really do not know. I just prefer Canon Pixma Printers. However, in
your case, it may be wise to investigate the models of HP printers that
have a print head built into the cartridge. If you had one of these
models all you would have to do is trot down to your favorite store and
purchase a set of new cartridges. They might even take back the
existing ones and give you those for free. Some stores, like Costco,
are very customer oriented.

 

[Shooter]

There are a number of thing you can do when the Epson software fails. There
are a number of cleaning carts out there which should do the trick, if you
use one get hold of a Purge file for your printer, again there are many
around. You can while waiting for the cleaning cart clean the underside of
the heads by using Windolean (Clear) sprayed on a piece of kitchen towel and
with the printer switched off lay the 10cm x 1.5cm soaked no the track in
front of the heads and with care move the print head over the paper and
leave over night. This should clean the underside of the head. While the
head in this position do the same with the head rest or drip pad. Hope this
helps.

 

[jbuch]

I've an Epson 1290 for 3 years now, and have always used Epson
cartridges on it with no problem, but I didn't use it for a whole
year last year and now both the colour and black print heads are
clogged.

I suppose that by now, you know that this is what you should expect to
happen if you leave an inkjet unused for a year.... it dries out.

There are also numerous postings over the years about use of Windex
(ammonia D -- only) and other cleaning agents to dissolve the dried up
ink clogs.

I have unclogged a couple of Epson printheads by following the often
repeated instructions involving Windex. And, allowing the cleaning
solution to work overnight.... because it took a long time to make the
clog, it probably takes a while to unmake it.

I suppose that you might now have learned the key differences between
"permanent" print heads (Epson) and "disposable print heads" such as HP
and Lexmark.

Follow the oft repeated instructions, and you should be all right.

Look for postings by Arthur Entlich ([email protected]) who will email
you a free manual on how to unclog and take care of Epson printers.

If you plan to leae an inkjet unused for a year, be sure to buy one
which has "Disposable Print Head" technology such as HP or Lexmark.

 

[CWatters]

I've an Epson 1290 for 3 years now, and have always used Epson
cartridges on it with no problem, but I didn't use it for a whole
year last year and now both the colour and black print heads are
clogged.

If shooters suggestion doesn't fix it this is a more drastic approach....

http://home.att.net/~arwomack01/#ClogCleanning

 

[Burt]

Shooter's advice is good. For a more comprehensive description of Epson
head cleaning email Arthur Entlich and ask him to email you his instructions
on this subject. His email address is (e-mail address removed) . His
instructions helped me to restore my Epson printer to as-new function.
Shooter's info is similar but more condensed - best to read Entlich's stuff
before you proceed.

 

[Burt]

This more drastic approach comes with the danger that you might damage one
or more of the ink feed tubes to which you attach the tubing. At that point
you have converted a potentially recoverable printer into a doorstop. Try
Arthur Entlich's instructions first. Tried and true.

 

[Caitlin]

Shooter's advice is good. For a more comprehensive description of Epson
head cleaning email Arthur Entlich and ask him to email you his
instructions on this subject. His email address is (e-mail address removed) .
His instructions helped me to restore my Epson printer to as-new function.
Shooter's info is similar but more condensed - best to read Entlich's
stuff before you proceed.

Curious to know why this advice is apparently so 'secret'? Does everyone get
sworn to secrecy that receives the document or something? I'm sure many
would volunteer to host the information on a website.

 

[Burt]

Arthur Entlich would have to answer this question. I don't think he regards
it as a secret. It is a fairly long document that would not be practical to
post on a NG such as this. He very generously offers to send it to anyone
who wants it. He also invites people who post a problem to send a scan of
an Epson print if the problem they describe doesn't appear to be a simple
head clog. If I still had the file he sent me I would (with his permission)
send it along. Unfortunately there are some people who would inadvertantly
repeat his instructions in an incomplete way that would not get the desired
result. I also believe that there should be attribution for a technique or
bit of advice. Instead of appearing authoritative in suggesting a printer
or ink I prefer to direct the person asking advice to the source of the
information that I might otherwise have quoted (or misquoted) without having
used them myself. I only feel comfortable advising someone about my own
personal experience with a printer, third party ink, etc. In my estimation,
Arthur is the best source of information on this NG for things Epson, so it
is best to get the info from him. He really tries to be totally objective
when asked about various printer issues and gives enough information to help
people make up their own minds when asked, for instance, which printer to
buy. Much to his credit, he spends an inordinate amount of time answering
posts, emails, and helping people to solve printer problems and expects
nothing in return.

The question you should really be asking is why Epson and the other printer
mfgrs don't have this information available for their customers. So many
times, the problems I have had with hardware, windows, software
installation, or software functions have been solved, not with information
from the mfgr or vendor, but from people such as Arthur who share their
knowledge on newsgroups and forums. I have learned a great deal from this
NG and hope that I and others can help a few people in return.

 

[LiWen]

Thanks, guys ! Really appreciate your responses. I've now emailed
Arthur for the manual. Yeah, I haven't been much of a tech to my
printer aside from changing its cartidges; unlike photocopiers and
other printers, there just doesn't seem to be a lot of movable parts
to this thing, the printheadcartridge snucks itself to its hidey hole
and that's it ! But now I do appreciate the difference between
disposable and permanent print heads and know not to leave it unused
for any period of time ! thanks again.

 

[measekite]

Curious to know why this advice is apparently so 'secret'? Does everyone get
sworn to secrecy that receives the document or something? I'm sure many
would volunteer to host the information on a website.

I have that same curiosity.

 

[Shooter]

I also believe that Epson should be more forth coming with service
information, they are in my view pathetic, if you visit any of their sites
there is no mention of out of warranty service or where to go. I have had
many discussions with their very weak Customer Service in fact one adviser
told me to run Gray balancer to solve Bronzing, in my early days with a 2100
they told be to clean as many time as required to clear the nozzles, we all
know what can happen if you do to many cleans.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

If you have not already done so, email me privately at the address shown
on the header of this message and request the Epson Cleaning Manual. If
you mention the specifics in your request I can give you some additional
pointers regarding a printer that has been left unused for a very long
period.

The incorrect colors showing up are likely due to the amount of excess
ink in the cleaning station from all those cleaning cycles causing
contamination. Do not continue running cleaning cycles.

There is no charge for the manual, and you will not be spammed. Please
be certain to supply an address that will accept a 60+kb message.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

That's brilliant and helpful information.

"My car wouldn't start this morning"

"Oh, you should buy a new one of another brand".

Jeez.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Curiosity killed the Cat ;-)...

Because I spend several hours a day answering personally to the
requests, since there are many different printers in use, different inks
being used, and different issues that come up and the manual would need
to be hundreds of pages long to deal with all of them. In some cases
several emails go back and forth as people have additional questions
that come up.

Further, the manual is updated every few weeks as I am regularly adding
information based upon user response, and other information that comes
up, so in order to get the most current version to people, I do not
allow for the manual to be published or posted elsewhere.

Lastly, it's mine. I wrote it, I update it, I service it, and I
developed many of the methods from my own experience working with the
printers and it is how I wish to distribute it.

Considering people who contact me get this service for free, get
personalized service, never get spammed, I really don't see how anyone
can complain about it (well, theirs always someone looking for WMD and
terrorists under their bed, I suppose).

If you prefer, you can order a much less complete manual, which is
mainly full of web links to some questionable advice via ebay by a guy
who charges about $7 US for it. He might have a web site ;-)

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

No, you have suspicion, which is quite different.


Tell you what, ask the many thousands of people I help each year.

Unlike most of your less than useless postings, I actually contribute to
the printer community on a daily basis.

Something you probably couldn't understand.

Art

 

[MikeD]

No, you have suspicion, which is quite different.


Tell you what, ask the many thousands of people I help each year.

Unlike most of your less than useless postings, I actually contribute to
the printer community on a daily basis.

I will endorse that. Art gives good, sound, knowledgable advice for free and
I for one am very grateful.

Mike

 

[measekite]

Some times it is wise to bite the bullet, cut your losses and run. When
some stocks do not perform and you loose some you guess the trend and it
may be wise to sell and get on another horse. That is the issue here.
Some do not want to fart around and spend the time and aggravation to
solve a problem that may happen frequently. Now while I like Canon
Printers I do have an HP also. In certain areas the HP may be a better fit.

 

[measekite]

Since you are so meticulous in your replies, writings, and record
keeping what percent of the total aggregate of people who had print head
clogs were from people who use or have ever used after market inks? And
by the same token for Epson OEM inks all of the time.

 

[Caitlin]

Wasn't complaining Arthur - just puzzled. You are of course entitled to help
people in the way that suits you best, and offering that help is a big
positive. In fact I hope if I ever get the R1800 I can still call on you for
help if I have clogging problems one day (though I get the impression the
R800 and R1800 may be less prone to these problems)

I was simply puzzled, and as I host several sites myself I thought it was
possible you didn't have the resources or had not thought of the possibility
of hosting the advice. It seemed like a lot of work to have to answer every
enquiry individually, and I was puzzled why no-one was quoting from your
advice. If it is because you feel it could be misinterpreted, quoted
incorrectly etc, fair enough!