Unclogging stubborn Epson CX5200 printhead

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

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?

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

On Dec 20, 4:37 am, Peter 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?

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.

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 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?

Thanks for all input

On Dec 20, 6:03 am, Arthur Entlich wrote:

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.

Doc wrote:

On Dec 20, 4:37 am, Peter 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.

"Arthur Entlich" wrote in message news:5_raj.21856$Tx.4193@pd7urf3no...
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!

On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:53:10 -0800 (PST), Doc
wrote:


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/

Emil Tiades wrote:
On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:53:10 -0800 (PST), Doc
wrote:


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/

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

jakdedert wrote:
Emil Tiades wrote:
On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:53:10 -0800 (PST), Doc
wrote:


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/

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.
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