HP LaserJet 8000 - Maintenance Kit Help

[Ric]

Hi people,

We have recently aquired a HP LJ 8000 which seems in good working order
apart from the fact that each printed page comes out with a black strip
along it. The printer has done over 700,000 copies and I beleive that it
should have a maintenance kit fitted every 350,000 copies. Is there any way
I can tell if it as ever had a kit fitted and does anybody want to risk
saying weather or not a maintenance kit would sort out the black mark
problem?

Thanks in advance,
Ric

 

[Malvin]

Normall, if you print out the configuration page, it will tell you the
number of page count from last maintenance. However, that doesn't really say
much, as a maintenance kit might have been replaced, but the person forgot
to reset the page counter, thus giving you the wrong impression that a kit
hasn't been replaced (If you see what I mean).

With regards to the black line, is it along the width or length of the page?

Try printing a page, and stop the printer just before it reaches the fuser
unit, that way you can determine if the marking happens before or after the
fuser unit.

 

[Ric]

Normall, if you print out the configuration page, it will tell you the
number of page count from last maintenance. However, that doesn't really
say much, as a maintenance kit might have been replaced, but the person
forgot to reset the page counter, thus giving you the wrong impression
that a kit hasn't been replaced (If you see what I mean).

I figured that would be the case - the config page does indeed indicate that
no maintenance has been performed ever but as you say that might mean
nothing!

With regards to the black line, is it along the width or length of the
page?

It is along the width of the page - the printer prints in landscape so the
problem would presumably be at one point along the width of the paper path
rather across the whole of it if that makes sense?

Try printing a page, and stop the printer just before it reaches the fuser
unit, that way you can determine if the marking happens before or after
the fuser unit.

Sounds worth a try - any tricks involved in doing this? Sounds tricky!

 

[Malvin]

I figured that would be the case - the config page does indeed indicate
that no maintenance has been performed ever but as you say that might mean
nothing!


It is along the width of the page - the printer prints in landscape so the
problem would presumably be at one point along the width of the paper path
rather across the whole of it if that makes sense?


Sounds worth a try - any tricks involved in doing this? Sounds tricky!

Okay, I would firstly recommend starting a test print, then stop the printer
by lifting the top cover. That way you can determine if the line appears
before entering the fuser or after.

Sorry, can't remember if you said you have changed the toner, if not replace
the toner with a spare or something and see if that helps.

Whip out the fuser unit and check the condition of the heat rollers inside
for any signs of marks by manually rotating them. Also, check the transfer
roller for any unusual quality.

 

[Ric]

Okay, I would firstly recommend starting a test print, then stop the
printer by lifting the top cover. That way you can determine if the line
appears before entering the fuser or after.

I did exactly that, and it seems that it is the toner cartridge that is
putting the marks on the paper!

Sorry, can't remember if you said you have changed the toner, if not
replace the toner with a spare or something and see if that helps.

No spare unfortunately, I have ordered another and am just hoping that it
does actually sort it out or I'm in big trouble!

Whip out the fuser unit and check the condition of the heat rollers inside
for any signs of marks by manually rotating them. Also, check the transfer
roller for any unusual quality.

I have had a good look at the fuser and it does look a bit nackered. There
is a bit on one of the rollers where the surface has been scratched away,
but holding a printed page up to it show that there are no print defects
along the same line as the scratch so I don't think it will cause any
problems.

If the new toner makes the black marks go away then I will probably get a
maintenance kit anyway as a new fuser wouldn't hurt and tray 3 doesn't pick
up very well so could do with some new pickup rollers.

Thanks for your help,
Ric

 

[Ric]

Okay, I would firstly recommend starting a test print, then stop the
printer by lifting the top cover. That way you can determine if the line
appears before entering the fuser or after.

Sorry, can't remember if you said you have changed the toner, if not
replace the toner with a spare or something and see if that helps.

Whip out the fuser unit and check the condition of the heat rollers inside
for any signs of marks by manually rotating them. Also, check the transfer
roller for any unusual quality.

Woohoo!!!! It worked, it was the toner cartridge all along! Thanks again
for your help.