C7280 Printer Paper Jam due to sticky green strip

[kamorela]

C7280 printer paper jams due to residue from a really (REALLY) sticky green strip of goo at the back of the paper feed from the lower paper tray. Is this green strip supposed to be THAT sticky, such that paper edges can (and do) transfer that green substance to the paper edges causing multiple sheets to 'bond' together causing a paper jam? What is the purpose of that green strip. I can share photos of this condition upon request. I have cleaned all (repeat: ALL!) rollers in the paper feed path, so the rollers themselves are not the problem. The paper edges that are continually getting stuck have green goo stuck on multiple sheets causing the jams. Need to understand the purpose of this green strip, and can it be safely removed/eliminated? Does anyone else have this problem?

[Valsimot]

Please share photos.

[kamorela]

Below are some photos that identify the green strip. I have also viewed HP teardown videos on YouTube of other model HP printers with the same green strip in the same place, so it is not unique to model C7280.

[Valsimot · Accepted solution]

That is a paper separator rubber, it's there to prevent the printer from feeding 2 or more sheets at once, with time and due to old age rubber gets sticky.  

[kamorela]

Thank you for that explanation.

This printer (C7280 All-In-One) is obviously considered old. The green strip does not feel rubbery any more, it has not only gotten sticky but it has literally turned to goo. Are there replacement rubbers available anywhere? Otherwise the printer is essentially useless, i.e. continual paper jams, unable to print jobs.

I will remove that strip and see what happens. If you have any influence, please report back to the design engineering team to discontinue using this material.