Unclogging stubborn Epson CX5200 printhead

[Doc]

I have an Epson CX5200 that I let sit for a while and ended up with
what I assume to be a clogged printhead.

I disassembled it to the point of having the head actually out of the
cart carrier - i.e. the part with the circuit board on it separated
from the intermediate ported plastic piece, and using a syringe and
alcohol, butted up against the rubber seal and can get a nice multi-
jet stream out of all the ports except the black. That one seems
utterly stopped up. I've even tried alternately applying suction and
pressure with the syringe, nuthin'. It still works fine for scanning
but would like to get it to print again.

Anyone know of a trick to get it unclogged?

Thanks for all input

 

[Peter]

I have an Epson CX5200 that I let sit for a while and ended up with
what I assume to be a clogged printhead.

I disassembled it to the point of having the head actually out of the
cart carrier - i.e. the part with the circuit board on it separated
from the intermediate ported plastic piece, and using a syringe and
alcohol, butted up against the rubber seal and can get a nice multi-
jet stream out of all the ports except the black. That one seems
utterly stopped up. I've even tried alternately applying suction and
pressure with the syringe, nuthin'. It still works fine for scanning
but would like to get it to print again.

Anyone know of a trick to get it unclogged?

Thanks for all input

The "trick" might well be to buy a new printer. I suspect that
pressurising the print heads in an attempt to clear them actually
damages the works

 

[Doc]

The "trick" might well be to buy a new printer. I suspect that
pressurising the print heads in an attempt to clear them actually
damages the works

In that case, it would appear I've got nothing to lose by giving it a
try other than possibly not having to buy a new printer.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Forcing pressurized fluids through the print head on Epson printers is
not wise, as they may delaminate, so I don't suggest it, in general, and
particularly with a head that is quite clogged.

The reason the alcohol by itself isn't working is because it is not an
effective solvent with Durabrite inks such as those used in the CX and C
printers.

The solvent required to dissolve the resin in the pigment inks (which is
an acrylic) is ammonia. This is why I suggest using ammoniated window
cleaner, which has some similarity to the inks, in that it has glycol,
alcohol, and a relatively high pH but the dilution of the ammonia in it
is such that it won't damage metal components, and such.

Anyway, before you damage the heads trying to unclog them, you may wish
to request my Epson Cleaning Manual which is full of suggestions on how
to fix clogs. It's free for the asking.

To get a copy, mention you printer model and your request for the
cleaning manual and send the note to:

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

Art

 

[Doc]

Anyway, before you damage the heads trying to unclog them, you may wish
to request my Epson Cleaning Manual which is full of suggestions on how
to fix clogs. It's free for the asking.

To get a copy, mention you printer model and your request for the
cleaning manual and send the note to:

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

Thanks Arthur. I forwarded an e-mail to you.

 

[measekite]

Doc wrote:

On Dec 20, 4:37 am, Peter <[email protected]> wrote:



Doc wrote:



I have an Epson CX5200 that I let sit for a while and ended up with what I assume to be a clogged printhead.



I disassembled it to the point of having the head actually out of the cart carrier - i.e. the part with the circuit board on it separated from the intermediate ported plastic piece, and using a syringe and alcohol, butted up against the rubber seal and can get a nice multi- jet stream out of all the ports except the black. That one seems utterly stopped up. I've even tried alternately applying suction and pressure with the syringe, nuthin'. It still works fine for scanning but would like to get it to print again.



Anyone know of a trick to get it unclogged?

The only trick you need is to use Epson ink.


Thanks for all input



The "trick" might well be to buy a new printer. I suspect that pressurising the print heads in an attempt to clear them actually damages the works



In that case, it would appear I've got nothing to lose by giving it a try other than possibly not having to buy a new printer.

 

[Guest]

Forcing pressurized fluids through the print head on Epson printers is
not wise, as they may delaminate, so I don't suggest it, in general, and
particularly with a head that is quite clogged.

The reason the alcohol by itself isn't working is because it is not an
effective solvent with Durabrite inks such as those used in the CX and C
printers.

The solvent required to dissolve the resin in the pigment inks (which is
an acrylic) is ammonia. This is why I suggest using ammoniated window
cleaner, which has some similarity to the inks, in that it has glycol,
alcohol, and a relatively high pH but the dilution of the ammonia in it
is such that it won't damage metal components, and such.

Your post is definitely a keeper. Tremendously useful.

Thanks Art!

 

[Emil Tiades]

In that case, it would appear I've got nothing to lose by giving it a
try other than possibly not having to buy a new printer.

Instead of alcohol, I use a mixture of amonia and water.
one part of amonia, 4 parts of water.
Usually works the next day.
Also have a look in
http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/

 

[jakdedert]

Instead of alcohol, I use a mixture of amonia and water.
one part of amonia, 4 parts of water.
Usually works the next day.
Also have a look in
http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/

People argue all the time about what is the best solvent to clean inkjet
heads. It's simple: whatever dissolves that particular flavor of ink...

....and that's pretty easy to figure out. Usually there's copious
amounts of ink dribbled everywhere in these situations. Instead of
experimenting on your potentially expensive heads, try your various
solvents on dried ink OUTSIDE of them. If you don't already have spills
to clean up, then intentionally make one.

Let it dry.

Then clean it up...with 'whatever' you're contemplating running through
the printer. If it doesn't work outside the printer, it won't unclog
the head. If it dissolves the ink, then you have a much better chance
of success.

jak

 

[measekite]

People argue all the time about what is the best solvent to clean
inkjet heads.

You do not need any solvent. Just use OEM ink. Using both an HP an a
Canon I never had to clean anything.

 

[jakdedert]

You do not need any solvent. Just use OEM ink. Using both an HP an a
Canon I never had to clean anything.

YMMV, but most people who use their Epsons sporadically often have
clogs, even using the OEM. The factory cleaning cycles take a lot of
that expensive OEM ink. If you like paying for that, more power to you;
but that's only YOUR experience, and it's not typical in my opinion.
Using an inkjet daily is about the only way to prevent it.

Only if one needs color (and these days, and that might be changing)
will an inkjet printer be a better value per page than a laser...the
only 'real' solution for preventing clogs.

jak

 

[Emil Tiades]

<drivel>

How did you, pathetic moron creep out of my killfile?

followup to alt.****wits

 

[measekite]

YMMV, but most people who use their Epsons sporadically often have
clogs, even using the OEM.

I know two people who use their Epson printers sporadically. One every
couple of months. They have the R3xx series so may that is the reason
they do not have a big problem.

 

[NewsGroups]

You do not need any solvent. Just use OEM ink. Using both an HP an a
Canon I never had to clean anything.

In that case you are one lucky bas!ard. Many printers are tossed because
the print heads are clogged,even with using OEM ink.

 

[no one]

I have an Epson CX5200 that I let sit for a while and ended up with
what I assume to be a clogged printhead.

I disassembled it to the point of having the head actually out of the
cart carrier - i.e. the part with the circuit board on it separated
from the intermediate ported plastic piece, and using a syringe and
alcohol, butted up against the rubber seal and can get a nice multi-
jet stream out of all the ports except the black. That one seems
utterly stopped up. I've even tried alternately applying suction and
pressure with the syringe, nuthin'. It still works fine for scanning
but would like to get it to print again.

Anyone know of a trick to get it unclogged?

Thanks for all input

In this Trade they soak the print head in a Domestic cleaning stuff called Spay and wipe, yes it
does have Ammonia and Detergent in it..

Put a little in a flat bowl, so that the face of the print head is in the liquid, no more that
1mm/1.32" leave it over night, then flush and soak with pain water, then dry off and soak again
with Spray & Wipe over night, then again with clean water, dry off and refit to the printer with New
ink tanks..


I did move the head a little up and down in both liquids, to help flush the holes.

I have done this myself to a 740 from memory..

This Info came from a mate that use to work for a Printer service company, they also use Ultrasonic
clears with some bad heads..

 

[Emil Tiades]

In that case you are one lucky bas!ard. Many printers are tossed because
the print heads are clogged,even with using OEM ink.

No need for the word "lucky"
Killfile the resident troll, everyone else does.

 

[Jim Ford]

No need for the word "lucky"
Killfile the resident troll, everyone else does.

I must admit I'm getting tired of his inane prattling. His posts are
just 'noise' and contribute nothing useful to the forum.

Jim Ford

 

[Cal Bubba]

jakdedert wrote:...most people who use their Epsons sporadically often have

clogs, even using the OEM. "

_Especially_ when using original Epson Durabrite ink! You'll do a lot
better with good aftermarket ink.

Bubbbubbbubuu

 

[Frank]

measekite wrote:

YMMV, but most people who use their Epsons sporadically often have
clogs, even using the OEM.

measekite is a troll. dont reply to him or your falling in his trap. he
is stoopid.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I don't disagree with the basic concept. It's how I determined what to
use to dissolve dried ink and clogged heads The only caveat is that the
heads may be made of different materials than the other areas of the
printer, and some solvents can melt the plastics used in the head.

In general, in any printer using water based inks, whether they are dye,
hybrid or pigment colorants, they tend to have similar formulations.

They use mainly water, a colorant or mixture of colorants, dye, or
pigment or both, a wetting agent like glycerin that allows the liquid to
flow and allow the ink to enter the paper surface, a product to slow
down drying on the heads like glycol, and often an alcohol to speed
drying on the paper surface. Some inks with pigments require an adhesive
to attach the particles to the paper surface, so they use a resin,
usually acrylic. Most inks are relatively alkaline.

Although I have only tested Epson inks formulations, I have been told by
others who have tried both 3rd party and other brands of inks that the
same basic mix works on the majority of water based inkjet printer inks.

The mixture uses either ammoniated window cleaner (which uses glycol,
alcohol, water and ammonia) with extra isopropyl alcohol, or in places
where ammoniated window cleaner isn't available, I suggest using ammonia
mixed to about 1% concentration, and adding the isopropyl.

However, there are some inks that use different technologies and may not
work with these solvents. There are some tests that can be used to test
these solvents with some liquid ink to determine if the mixture is
appropriate.

My Epson Cleaning Manual goes into quite a bit of detail about how to do
these tests, and I suggest anyone interested just request a copy via email.

Art

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .