INJET PRINTER LEFT IN THE COLD 1

[TWISTEDAPP]

I have a printer that had cartridges in it and it was left in the cold as the heat went off while I was away. It probably endured -4F (-20C) while I was. I can't remember if it was powered up or not. Now I've tried to print with both the cartridges in it as well as putting one new color cartridge and the clean and test patterns produce nothing? The cartridges do satisfactory levels on status and you can hear fluid ink in them, but nothing? Ideas? Comments?

 

[edfair]

I used to soak clogged nozzles with water but have changed to putting them on top of wet paper towels in a plastic box. Eventually the clog dissolves.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[TWISTEDAPP]

You figure the nozzles clogged when it froze? It's an EPSON CX6600, is it easy to get the nozzles out?

 

[edfair]

You suspend the cartridge so the nozzles are in contact with the water or wet paper towel.

My guess is that the temperature affected the ink in such a way that it clogged.

The new cartridge failure is a possible indication that it is further into the printer than the nozzles.



Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[gbaughma]

It's also possible that the ink (water based) when it froze, cracked nozzle tubes or the piezo-electric elements. Sounds like a job for new heads/nozzles.

Unlike some inkjet printers (this is an epson) the print heads are not integrated into the cartridge (say with a DeskJet 5550 or similar). Instead, the insertion of the cartridge "pierces" the bottom of the ink, which is then channeled down to a piezo-electric head. The heads are self-cleaning (it cleans them against a sponge with the printer goes to the home position).

Considering the temperature it was at, and the water-based ink, I would imagine that the ink froze, formed crystals, and shattered the piezo elements in the heads.



Just my 2¢
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--Greg

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