Epson p9800 problems

[Jackburton89]

Hey everyone, so I recently got a epson 9800 for very cheap locally.

It was advertised as needing to be cleaned but looking like it needs more than that.

After giving it a basic cleaning from what I saw on youtube this is the result



So there's signs of life but definitely need some work. Just looking visually Im after seeing this clogged line







So I'm thinking I need to get stuck into this, but I have no idea where to go next. I'm a complete beginner with printers. Hope I can get some guidance here so I can repair this.



Thanks

 

[technoid]

That's pretty typical of a pro9800 that hasn't printed in a few months. I have a Pro9800 that I didn't use for several years. About 95% of the nozzle check squares didn't print. To fix it I had to use a product called "Magic Bullet" and a dampened paper towel behind the head for 4 hours. The product comes with instructions also on youtube. Also check and make sure the ink isn't too old. It lasts a long time if unopened but once opened it can gradually dry through it's breather tube. Should be good for a year as long as it's not too dry where you are working. A humidified will help it and the printer last longer.

I've also gone 3 or 4 months and never needed to do anything other than 1 or 2 deep cleanings. Now, if I print more often than about every 2 weeks, the printer doesn't need cleaning.

You probably would be fine with 1 or 2 deep cleans.

 

[Johnny261]

I went through the same thing recently as I purchased a 9880. Luckily after a power clean only 1 channel was clogged and had to be recovered. I'd recommend the following:

1) Soak the printhead in windex overnight and clean the pump and cap station. Lots of video on youtube outlining this. Same process for this or the 7880, 4880, so look for videos of that

2) Run a power clean. If you don't have enough ink, I'd recommend looking into getting 3rd party cartridges and then filling those with a cleaning solution such as piezoflush so you don't waste valuable ink.

3) If it's getting better run another power clean, if some channels are still completely blocked you'll likely have to take apart the ink assembly.

4) If you have to take apart the ink assembly, go find the service manual for the 9800 (9880 might be the same) and find the section on removing the print head. Take off the ink assembly (where the dampers are) and then use a syringe with some sort of adapter to try and clear any clogged lines. I did this by disconnecting the damper at the L fitting. Maybe replace the dampers or see if they are clogged. If you've cleared everything out and it's still not working it means the printhead is clogged.

5) there are videos online on how to flush a printhead for the 4880 at least. Watch those and do that. You'll need to remove the printhead to do this and the instructions can be found in the service manual.

The process isn't for the faint of heart but once you've done it, you'll know your printer a lot better.

 

[Jackburton89]

Thanks for the replies.



Gave it a good cleaning anyway and the results are promising

Another colour is back and things are cleaning up nicely. Now for the next problem, it's not recognizing a new cart being installed. The light cyan cart to be specific, I assume this is a pressure issue? There's an air gap in the line on the way to the print head