cyan in magenta

Here is another picture of what it prints.

Thanks.

Anybody?

Gabone wrote:

Hi,

I have an Epson L800 for 8 months. Last month started to print cyan into magenta. If I try to print a red image, the first line of, let's say 5mm in height, is smeared with dark ink. Only the first line. The rest of the image is a clear red and has no problems.

I am attaching two pictures with tests for cyan and magenta. The pictures are not very good, took them with my phone this morning. Please excuse the quality.

I would appreciate very much if you could tell me or if you have any idea of what might by the cause for this.

Thank you.

Gabriel

I am not familiar with your printer Model but have five (other models) of Epson printers.

Do you have a GOOD Nozzle check with no broken (missing) areas. Also, your 2nd printed example indicates your Printer needs to be aligned which for my models that is an option in the Setup information where nozzle check, ink status, etc; is located.

I am assuming you are not using Bi-Directional printing where the printer prints in only one directional pass -- sometimes referred to as economy mode.

Any information you can provide regarding these mentioned items will help other to better assist you with your printer issue. I seriously doubt with such a (near new) printer that there is any serious print head problem. One of my Epson printers is over 10 years old and continues to print as when new. I do regular cleaning and maintenance for all my printers. My newest (a 3880) is over 2 years old.

Hi Vernon,

I am not familiar with your printer Model but have five (other models) of Epson printers.

Do you have a GOOD Nozzle check with no broken (missing) areas. Also, your 2nd printed example indicates

Yes, the nozzle check is fine except that cyan and magenta are a little mixed. The lines are straight and as they should be.

your Printer needs to be aligned which for my models that is an option in the Setup information where nozzle check, ink status, etc; is located.

It is a possibility. I will try to do that again, even though I aligned it a couple of weeks ago.

I am assuming you are not using Bi-Directional printing where the printer prints in only one directional pass -- sometimes referred to as economy mode.

No, I am not using bi-directional. As far as I know in my driver it is known as High Speed, if I am not mistaking. I also read on other forums that bi-directional printing is causing banding or other problems.

Any information you can provide regarding these mentioned items will help other to better assist you with your printer issue. I seriously doubt with such a (near new) printer that there is any serious print head problem. One of my Epson printers is over 10 years old and continues to print as when new. I do regular cleaning and maintenance for all my printers. My newest (a 3880) is over 2 years old.

-- hide signature --

Vernon...

The economy setting, besides mixed cyan/magenta also prints thin horizontal bands, but the photo setting prints only the smudge on top (the attached red colored print). Others said on the forum that the waste ink pump might not work, and the ink is soaking on the waste pad, and because of that the ink is sucked up the printhead capillary tubes or whatever they are. I do no know if this is the problem here.

Thank you very much for your answer.

Gabriel

I also tried to drain the waste ink pad with a syringe and distilled water until there was no ink left in the pad. I dried out the pad using paper towel. I also cleaned the rubber piece near the pad. But still the nozzle check had the same cyan/magenta mixed ink on the paper.

I took the printer to an authorized service dealer and they said the printing head is faulty and has to be replaced. Now they are waiting for the print head delivery to replace it.

Thanks.

Gabriel

I have exact same problem. I didn't contact the service yet.

It seems to be a common issue. I found a few Russian threads about it.

I wonder if your problem was resolved.

Thanks!

Thank you for detailed info. Mine is still under warranty so I hope I can get the print head replaced. Even if they replace it, new one will probably have same issue eventually.

Saw the same thing with my SP1400 to a tiny degree.

Gabone wrote:

Hi,

I have an Epson L800 for 8 months. Last month started to print cyan into magenta. If I try to print a red image, the first line of, let's say 5mm in height, is smeared with dark ink. Only the first line. The rest of the image is a clear red and has no problems.

I am attaching two pictures with tests for cyan and magenta. The pictures are not very good, took them with my phone this morning. Please excuse the quality.

I would appreciate very much if you could tell me or if you have any idea of what might by the cause for this.

Thank you.

Gabriel

My Epson L800 printer also has the same color mixing up, cyan and magenta. Since it is past its warranty period, I decided to get into the head and clean it. But to no avail. Same results in Nozzle Check.

Having read Mikling's comment re printhead defect even in previous model, I am having second thoughts if i will have the printhead changed or not.

The cost of the printhead here is about the price of an Epson ME-10 which I am considering for specific printing jobs and plan to change the ink with pigment because of its minimum droplet volume of 4pl. I thought this size will give minimal problem with head clogging. Or I may not be right.

I hope you can still update your post about the new printhead. I've been looking for similar issue and I'm glad I found this. Thank you. God bless you.

Hello again,

I did not know that so many of you had the same problem. I am glad that you also posted your problems. Maybe we will find a solution... not by changing the printer, I hope

My printer worked fine for almost an year after they changed the print head. At least that's what they said. I have no idea if they did that or something else. Well, recently, I noticed that the yellow is contaminated with black (or it seems to be black, or some combination of some of the inks). It seems that it's leaking ink over the sponge cap. Every other day I clean that sponge with a piece of paper towel and I can tell it is saturated with ink. I think that the print head is getting dirty by sucking ink that leaked in that sponge. Because after I print a page full of yellow, it is just fine. I can print for hours without any problems.

I suspect that the CISS system is leaking, but I do not know how to prove it, or how to fix it. It's not only the black (still I am not sure if it is the black, or too much cyan, or some other combination) that is leaking. I also saw a lot of yellow on the paper towel. At the moment the printer is low on ink, and I still do not know what to do. Should I buy new ink, or just throw away the printer and buy a new one?

Thanks.

Gabriel

Just to make an idea of what I managed to clean from the sponge where the print head rests:

Gabone wrote:

Just to make an idea of what I managed to clean from the sponge where the print head rests:

That's normal for any capping station sponge..........

Bob P.

Well, it seems that Mikling was right. I think the print head is gone. Take a look at the nozzle check. Not only the black is in yellow but also cyan is over magenta. So I guess this printer will go to garbage can (maybe I will keep the CISS). This is the second print head that is gone in 2 years. I will not buy a third one.

This is a one time use, disposable printer, just like condoms. If you are lucky (mine broke down after 6 months) you can print the full set of inks that comes with it. If Epson would make condoms, the world would be full o paternity suits. I am not saying that their products are not good, but this one is a total failure.

Gabone wrote:

Hello again,

I did not know that so many of you had the same problem. I am glad that you also posted your problems. Maybe we will find a solution... not by changing the printer, I hope

My printer worked fine for almost an year after they changed the print head. At least that's what they said. I have no idea if they did that or something else. Well, recently, I noticed that the yellow is contaminated with black (or it seems to be black, or some combination of some of the inks). It seems that it's leaking ink over the sponge cap. Every other day I clean that sponge with a piece of paper towel and I can tell it is saturated with ink. I think that the print head is getting dirty by sucking ink that leaked in that sponge. Because after I print a page full of yellow, it is just fine. I can print for hours without any problems.

I suspect that the CISS system is leaking, but I do not know how to prove it, or how to fix it. It's not only the black (still I am not sure if it is the black, or too much cyan, or some other combination) that is leaking. I also saw a lot of yellow on the paper towel. At the moment the printer is low on ink, and I still do not know what to do. Should I buy new ink, or just throw away the printer and buy a new one?

Thanks.

Gabriel

Hi Gabriel.

As of now, I haven't brought the printer for repair. It is out of warranty so i have to save for the head replacement. But my daughter can still use it for document printing for her homework. The black nozzle is still in good condition (at least 90%, I suppose). I also use it for printing positives on inkjet transparency for t-shirt printing.

I still prefer to use this printer for photos when it is in great condition.

As for the leak you're experiencing, it happens to mine, too. It seems it has to be cleaned and nozzle-checked when left turned off and idle for a long time. You are doing the right thing. cleaning the sponge in the capping station as the ink will not be completely drained out. Using an external waste ink tank, Soaking with a cleaning solution will help loosen any dry ink in the station. I would suck it out using a syringe through the tube.

You said, "My printer worked fine for almost an year after they changed the print head." Does this mean your are now unable to use the printer?

Have you printed photos after the head replacement? How was the quality?

Thanks.

Alex

No text.

I have a Epson L805 with the same problem. Thanks everyone for such an useful information about inkjet.

My solution is to keep using this printer as a black and white inkjet and buy a new one (except the model with the same print-head problem)