HP Designjet T1100ps Printhead cloged after 8ml

[GDS_Ltd]

Posted to wrong section before, this should be more appropriate.

Hi

I've aquired a Designjet T1100ps that worked fine for 4-6 meters or so.

It asked then to replace a printhead. I've checked info on them and they have printed anywhere from 2-4 liters so I decided to swap them all.

All in date, installed with no problem.

When the printer did the alignment, I noticed that there where a few spots where it seemed an ink would drop on the material.

Printer, however, completed alignment with no errors. Besides a few extra drops, didn't see any problems with the patters printed too.

Not sure it that info was relevant. Also colours that dripped where magenta and black, unsure which black.

However, after printing 10 or so meters, yellow disapeared.
In its current state, printhead has fired 8ml of ink and status: replace.

Before I ask whomever suppied the printhead to replace it, is there a way I can make sure there are no secondary faults with the system?

[ALS-77]

How long was the plotter sitting idle before you acquired it and where was it stored? Reason being that if it was subjected to varying temperature fluctuations over a long period or just not used for an extended amount of time, the ink in the supply tubes may have become old, crystallized or jelled causing the printheads and tubes to become clogged. Replacing the entire ink tube/supply system is in order, along with new printheads. 

As for the ink being dropped onto the prints, it could be bad printheads, or ink/dirt contamination on the bottom of the carriage assy. You'd have to check and clean it. 

[GDS_Ltd]

It was stationary for 6-8 months. It was sold by a company that specialise in wide printer repairs and was serviced before sale.

Since this post I rang them and they have sent me one of their senior HP certified engineer.

Half day down the road, he thinks a waste box is at fault(whatever the proper term is).

At a later day I was informed that they have consulted HP and will be swap out the tubes.

So they did, to no avail.

While that process took place I've discovered a plastic bit. Later to get to know it to be called by Hp as Line sensor.

Bushing is what i found it was called on the internet. Without it, printhead carriage "rocks" and here's why I has smears on a test print.

Upon replacing a printhead nr 2, it wen't back asking for a printhead nr 1 to be replaced yet again. This is where tubes where replaced etc.

At its current state, a test printheads will be supplied tomorrow to run further diagnostics.

Upon examining old pipework, I have located an air bubbles in at least one of the tubes.

Also I've extracted ink from old tubes and, at least to the naked eye, it does look just fine.