Need help - clogged nozzles on an Epson 9890

[AaronH]

Hey Everyone,

Our proofing has gotten a little interesting at work. We have an Epson 9900 for our high res color proofs, then we had an older 9600 we had to run off flats for bindery, and make low end proofs or mockups for our customers. Apparently the 9600 was purchased used to replace a 9890 that had stopped working about 6 months before I started at this shop, so about 2 years ago. Well our 9600 is now dead (printing on hp paper with incorrect settings and scratched our printhead up like no ones business) and we can't get it to print. We got a free 10600 from a buddy of the owner but it arrived broken and I'm having to repair parts for an old machine that we have no ink for. Since the 9890 and our 9900 use the same exact ink, my cohort thought, "Hey, why don't we pull the 9890 out of storage and see if we (he means me) can get it running again."

Anyway, I've run 5 normal cleanings, 2 power cleanings and 1 SSCleaning from the maintenance menu and I can't get a single dot to print. The maintenance tank is even bone dry. I'm guessing the ink tubes are dried up? Anyone have any ideas I can try to get this working again? I'd really appreciate it. I don't want our proofer/plate maker guy to screw up another machine (our 9900) any more than he most likely has.

Thanks!
Aaron

Edit: I forgot to mention it has an Error Code: 4000 maintenance request when you first boot it up. I looked it up on google and I guess it means clogged nozzles...

[Tracy]

I have a 9900 too, use to have a 9600 that had gotten clogged
I did not work on it but I saw the guy that did, run some hot water thru the lines
Not sure if it was just water tho.

[AaronH]

Thank you Tracy, I'll look into that.

[Farabomb]

Try some windex and a paper towel. Free up the head so you can move it. Soak the paper towel in the windex, not so much as it's running down the platen but so it's damp. Park the head over it overnight and let it work it's magic. If you're lucky it will clean up the head.

[AaronH]

Thanks Farabomb, I'll give that a shot.

[Possum]

If it's been in storage for a while and it uses pigment ink, it's probably toast. That stuff is notorious for killing heads. If it uses dye ink, you've got a chance.

[AaronH]

Oh no, It uses pigment ink! I'm really hoping Farabomb's idea works. If not I may have to flush the ink tubes sparked by Tracy's comment.

[Farabomb]

It's worth a shot as it's probably things you have around the office. As someone that has personally taken apart a 9800 changing out the head doesn't seem like a horrible thing. I had the whole thing apart but I didn't go as far as to disconnect the head.

I do have the service manual for the 9800 if you do go that route.

[AaronH]

Thanks Farabomb. I'll let you know if I need to grab a copy of your service manual. Wish me luck!

[Tracy]

Good luck! Report back we may need your help in the future :laugh:

[Ear]

We got a new 9900 a few years ago and I let the old 10,600 sit for a few months. It never ran again, and I did try. And I have torn plotters and platesetters down and rebuilt them, it just wasn't worth the time and parts it was going to require.

Sent it go to recycle and got on with life.

[Possum]

We had a 4800 that sat a while and the head got clogged (pigment ink). We tried their cleaning solution and finally called in a tech. He said it would cost more to fix than to get a new one. Guess where that one went.

[Farabomb]

If it's like most shops, it's now your manager.

Useless and costs too much... management all the way.

[AaronH]

Update: I did the Windex-Paper Towel trick and had it sit overnight. There was some ink on the towel when I checked on it a few minutes ago. I ran a nozzle check, then a normal cleaning and another nozzle check. Still no dots are printing.

I'm going to have it sit overnight again with another Windex soaked paper towel. I saw a video a few sites were linking to going over this same process after Farabomb suggested it. If it doesn't work by Monday, I think it's toast or needs a new print head/lines.

[frailer]

FWIW, our nice Vietnamese Epson service guy told us never to turn it off and leave it off. They run scheduled checks/cleans.
When you're asleep it's happening.
Possum's on the money, I'd say.