Blotchy output from 4550

[pezalla]

I have had this HP Color Laserjet 4550 for several years. Recently started giving unuseable prints. For monochrome, there are grey fuzzy spots (snow?) down the right third or the paper. Looks like a random pattern of blotches about 1/16". For color, the same thing happens only much heavier, yellow and bluish blotches.

Can this problem be fixed with user-installed parts or should I toss the printer and get a fresh start?
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Chris1980]

Sounds like the fuser, if you've had the printer for a couple of years you should have replaced the fuser and image drum a couple of times (depends on your useage I guess).

The printer should be telling you if either needs replacing but the alerts can be turned off. The parts come with easy to follow instructions and both come out and back in easily.

 

[pezalla]

Thank you for the input. The printer says that the fuser has 21% remaining and the drum 28%. I won't, of course, hold you responsible, but is your best bet the fuser? Hate to buy a lot of hundred dollar items without at least a slight chance of fixing the problem.

 

[hpdoctor]

If you open the printers back door and open the filp down door on the fuser assembly you should be able to see if there is any deterioration of the upper or lower fuser roller. The best way to check it is to remove the fuser and check both rollers real good. I think you will see some damage to one or both rollers.

 

[pezalla]

Both rollers are a little funky - looks like loose Saran Wrap for an inch or two on each near one end. Will replace and I thank you for your help.

 

[Auger282]

...if you buy it.. and its not the problem.. dont toss the other one.. and swap them back... At some point in the future you are going to have to replace the fusor...

its not a waste .. its being prepaired if something does happen... we have spare fusors for all our printers just in case a stray sheet takes the sucker out!

 

[TCouch]

Well, if it looks like loose saran wrap, then your fuser is peeling. The rollers should be smooth. I would not be suprised if replacing the fuser resolves your issue.

Timothy N. Couch

 

[pezalla]

Well, I finally got the new fuser and installed it today. Sorry to say, no change at all in the print quality. What's the next step? Any ideas?

 

[TCouch]

Based on your original description of the fuser "loose saran wrap" I would still say the fuser is bad, and needed to be replaced. These "blotches" are they a repeatative blotch? If it's a repeating blotch, what is the distance between the start of one to the start of another?

Timothy N. Couch
A1 Printech
Anchorage, AK

 

[pezalla]

I did put a new fuser in and there is improvement but it is still not real good.

There might be two problems:
Blotch repeats at 1 5/8"
If I print a solid line across the page , there is a second, faint, image 6" down the page.

 

[gbaughma]

I would try a new cartridge. The cartridges use a light-sensitive drum, and if they don't "release the image" quickly enough, they can cause ghosting, like you describe.

Additionally, make sure that the corona wire is clean and clear.



Just my 2¢

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg

 

[TCouch]

Blotch repeats at 1 5/8"

That sounds like the transfer roller. If it was the Drum Cartridge, It would be further apart. But then again, it could be the roller on anyone of the color cartridges, or the charge roller in the Drum. Do you notice it happening with any specific color. or does it happen with all colors?

 

[assets]

I have had the same problem. BUT it is fine now.

I did the following. Had the printer cleaned in side it takes about 2-3 hours to do it propley. I also replaced the transfer belt (it was at about 75%) I then replaced all the toner with HP toner (do not use anthing else) and it prints better than new. The print blows away one from our 4600 and 4650. Th 4550 is the BEST HP have made and just need a clean EVERY year to keep it good condition.


Never give up never give in.

There are no short cuts to anything worth doing

 

[gbaughma]

Yup. A *good* cleaning takes me 2 or 3 hours.



Just my 2¢

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg

 

[TCouch]

I did the following. Had the printer cleaned in side it takes about 2-3 hours to do it propley. I also replaced the transfer belt (it was at about 75%) I then replaced all the toner with HP toner (do not use anthing else) and it prints better than new. The print blows away one from our 4600 and 4650. Th 4550 is the BEST HP have made and just need a clean EVERY year to keep it good condition.

2 to 3 Hours? Where in the world did you have this done? Did they come to your office and do this, or was it taken to their shop? I can do it at a clients site in about an hour, without taking off the formatter, and using my toner vacuum. If I have it here in the shop, I take off the formatter, and go with a combination of vacuum & air hose. There are places in this printer that I just can't reach with the vacuum, and need to be blown out to clean, but I can't do it at a clients site as it makes a big mess.

All in all, with the parts you had replaced, and the cleaning done on the machine, the tech should have been there no more than 1.5 hours.

Timothy N. Couch
A1 Printech
Anchorage, AK

 

[assets]

No it can not be done on site. The company is about 20min away. So it may include travel to pickup and deliver printer, Any way it solves MOST problems to have a good clean each year. As I said the 4500/4550 is a good printer.


Never give up never give in.

There are no short cuts to anything worth doing