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 | Epson C86 ink problem by km (9/10/05 8:11 AM) reply | +8 + / - | I have an Epson C86 printer. I ran out of black ink, replaced the black ink with a black Epson cartridge number T0431. I then attempted to print a black and white page of text. The paper was fed through the printer as if it were printing, but there was nothing on the page. The Epson Utility tells me that there is plenty of ink. I cleaned the heads twice, did a nozzle check, and black and yellow are not visible. Any ideas?
Thanks
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by skeeter79 (1/11/06 2:00 PM) reply | +9 + / - | I am having the same problem with my C86. It ran out of black ink and I changed the cartridge with the appropriate epson replacement, but now nothing prints on the page. All cartridges are brand new. I've tried the auto head-cleaning device, to no avail. If there is something that I can clean manually, I'm pretty handy, just tell me what to do.
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 | Re: Epson C86 ink problem by printerrepairpros  (1/11/06 3:48 PM) reply | +2 + / - | skeeter79,
Search this site for information on cleaning and reattaching the pump tube to the underside of the cap asseembly.
Hope this helps.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Dennis McIndoo (1/24/06 8:44 PM) reply | + / - | Hey, very same thing happened to me! Here is the weird thing. I replaced only one cartridge and that is the color that wasn't printing. THEN I decided since the others were really low to replace the others. Don't have to tell you what happened huh? No color printing at all!! They must have a chip problem on the print cartridge maybe??? Wanna bet?? I am heading back to Staples in the morning and see if they haven't had a lot of complaints.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by jjmillet (1/29/06 5:18 PM) reply | +1 + / - | Does the ink purge tube problem exist on the C86? I have seen this problem documented for the C82. I have the C86, but my symptoms match this problem of the tube coming off. I saw pictures on where this tube connection is located on the C82, but I could not find that spot on the C86. I was printing fine, then I got low ink warning and after replacing I could not print that color. Doing all the cleaning cycles and now the other cartridges are empty and even though I replaced them with new Epson cartridges now nothing prints. I must admit that we don't use the printer daily and I do leave it powered on all the time with the computer. I have even tried the Epson cleaning solution that can be bought online and no luck so far. Was beginning to wonder if the tube problem is here so nothing I do will help until the tube is reconnected. If the tube problem does exist on the C86, can someone give a better description of where the connection is located? Here is the description of the location that I have seen: "The ink purge tube under the printer's cleaning station sometimes comes apart during cartridge replacement." With the cartridge assembly to the left, I saw the blackish looking sponges, but I could not see under the cleaning station to see this tube. Does the station slide or lift out of the way?
Thanks,
Jim
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 | Re: Epson C86 Solution - Warranty by lionelvm (1/31/06 2:04 PM) reply | + / - | Just a note?
I have the same problem with the C86 after changing cartrdges it acts like it's printing but spits out a blank sheet. Looked up the Epson website and got a service number and called tech support. Gave them these symptoms and they shipped me a NEW C88. Since the printer was purchased within the past 12 months they shipped it free of charge and said I can throw away this one ?
Still would like to figure out how to fix this one as a backup??
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by trulytex (2/1/06 9:23 AM) reply | + / - | I had the exact same problem today. Fortunately, I had 3 weeks left on warranty. I called Epson and they walked me through the head cleaning process and, of course, there was no improvement. They are sending me a replacement printer (C88), too.
I love Epson's quality and speed, but this is the 3rd Epson I've had that ends up conking out like this after about a year. Might be time to go back to HP.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by brazilnut (2/15/06 10:40 AM) reply | + / - | Same deal here. New printer is in the mail... (a C88 I guess?) How long can they afford to do this?
My problem was only the yellow cartridge at first, but problem slowly migrated to magenta and cyan too. Now only black works.
I guess I'll keep this for B/W only use.
I notice the C88 doesn't use the same cartridges... bummer, that means I'll be throwing away $30 + in cartridges I bought for the C86.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by kbballou (2/18/06 5:43 PM) reply | + / - | I decided to really get into the problem and took my C84 printer apart. The tube that sucks ink to get the priming going was still attached but clogged. So, any new cartridge will not get sucked on during clean cylce. I took off the pump intake tube and forced cleaning glycol solution through the rubber tube while running the head clean cycle using a syringe. Finally got fluid throught the suction pump and got ink flowing after reconnection. I don't recommend this, printer is in pieces and the ink really hurts under your fingerhails, seems to dry tissue out and burns. Makes a real mess. Now, I think I'll go rebuild a car engine or something light for entertainment.
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 | Re: Epson C86 ink problem by kittyprrrs (2/19/06 8:44 PM) reply | + / - | i've gone back to using my HP 970CSE and my new HP 8250...I love Epson's speed of printing and the ink but overall, this is my second and most likely last printer I will be investing in this brand. I can't believe that they would sell these pieces of junk to the world and think to make it better by "sending you a NEW C88 (which does not use the Durabrite Ink by the way...sorry!) and we will pay for shipping and handling"....Pfft...please...I live right down the street from their Long Beach California office....I declined and have notified all my friends and family to stay away from Epson and their line of JUNK 9-month Guarantee to die pieces of pooh of printers.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Diane M (2/20/06 4:49 PM) reply | + / - | We have the same problem. Replaced all the inks with the Epson cartridges. Did the nozzle cleaning as specified several times. All we get are blank pages. Unfortunately, our warranty has ran out. This is the second Epson that we have had this happen with..the first being a c82 which was replaced with a c86.
Tech support was helpful in that they told us we probably need a new printer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How is that for a durable product that is trustworthy!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by soupy (3/23/06 6:40 PM) reply | + / - | Don't toss out your broken OOW C86; eventually it will be added to the Loyalty program, and you'll be eligible for a free repair. The C84 was recently added.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by bwhite (4/11/06 3:23 PM) reply | +1 + / - | Same problem two times with the Epson C82 and they sent me a C86. This is a few months ago.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by hoovdaddy (4/19/06 7:17 AM) reply | + / - | I purchased a C86 to replace a C82, on 12/15/04. The C82 is showing the same type behavior that my C86 is now showing....after replacing the blk ink with a brand new, Epson cartridge, it will not print anything with black. I've done all the cleaning and maintance.
After speaking with a customer service person, I was told that there are 2 causes for this issue:
1. Leaving the printer on all the time.
2. not using the printer for a long period of time.
So...I guess I'm guilty of #1...the printer gets lots of use and I do forget to turn it off.
FYI: I also have a HP710c printer that I've had for 4 years or more, it's left on all the time, and I have NEVER had any issues with it.
I explained to my customer service person that this issue I'm having seems to be a problem with all C86 and C82 printers, and named references on the web. Of course she denied any issues.
This is the last Epson I will own.
Luckily I purchased a service plan from Best Buy, and I've got 1 year left...so I'll take it to them to fix it.
I received, in the mail, a notice for a Class Action suite for alleged:
"inkjet printers and inkjet cartridges indicate that cartridges are 'empty' and suspend printer function, even though substantial ink remains."
NO WONDER THEY'RE IN LITIGATION (or settling to stay out of it!)
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| Re: Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Anonymous (4/25/06 6:46 AM) reply | + / - | What loyalty program??? I am the Computer Technician/Teacher for a small elementary school. We had 20 Epson C82's. One is still functioning. These were replaced with C86's. Now after nine months, the purge tubes in these are going as well. Our BOCES technical team will not fix them because it costs more to repair than to buy a new printer. How can I get Epson to replace them with something that works?
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Doug Bracey III (5/17/06 9:46 PM) reply | + / - | I had the exact same problem described here with my Epson Stylus C86, and was flaming mad to read that it sounded like I was just stuck with a dead printer and a bunch of new ink cartridges. But amazingly enough, I fixed my C86, and I'm happy to say it's printing perfectly once again.
To do this, I started by looking at the information at the link mentioned in one of the previous posts: http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/inkjet/9350
However, the link provided there for how to disassemble the printer did not actually describe how to disassemble the C86; it was for some other model. I scoured the web, and found a good page describing how to do it, with lots of helpful pictures. Only problem: it was in German! http://www.druckerchannel.de/artikel.php?ID=1116
Well, good ol' Babelfish to the rescue: http://babelfish.altavista.com/ Using this page, I translated as much as I needed. Note that to do my repair, I didn't have to remove the paper handler. I did remove the silver rail that the ink cartridge contraption slides on, but not the black rail-like thing mounted underneath it.
At any rate, my problem was that the little tube leading away from the cleaning contraption was clogged with what I assume was solidified ink. I bravely yanked out the cleaning assembly (i.e., the somewhat delicate looking collection of white and black plastic parts that lay under where the ink cartridge module rests when not printing) (its just held by a single plastic clip on the bottom right side), and disconnected both the big plastic tube and the thinner plastic tube from the little plastic fitting that joins them. I shoved a straightened paper clip up the small tube to clear it, then I used compressed air to blow a big clog out of the little plastic fitting, and I blew it down the bigger plastic tube that seems to lead off to some kind of absorbing sponge in the back of the printer.
Having cleaned out the clogs to the best of my ability, I crossed my fingers and snapped everything back together. I ran the head cleaning process, then printed a page. Voila! A perfect looking printed page, where before I was getting nothing but blanks. It took me about two hours, though now that I know what I'm doing, I could probably do it all in about 45 minutes. Yes, I wish I never would have had to do it, but at least I didn't have to go out and spring for a whole new printer over one little clogged piece of tubing.
Doug
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by art houston (5/18/06 7:41 PM) reply | + / - | I'm going to follow Doug's process above. I had some German in the fifth grade, but I'll be using the babelfish site to get the gist of what is being sprechensich anyway.
Sheesh.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Doug Bracey III (5/18/06 8:05 PM) reply | + / - | Good luck, Art. With some perseverence, you can succeed. Believe me, every step of the way I had to fight the urge to just say forget it, and go buy a new printer. But when I put it all back together, and it worked perfectly again, it was more than a little satisfying.
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| Re: Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Anonymous (5/21/06 6:59 PM) reply | + / - | I'm having the same problems as described in previous posts.
I replaced all ink cartridges ($65.00 worth) and now nothing prints out even after numerous print head cleaning attempts.
I'm going to try Doug's fix it tip and keep my fingers crossed.
-Mike V from MA
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| Re: Epson C84 ink problem by Anonymous (5/22/06 7:11 AM) reply | + / - | Holy Cow -
I just experienced the same with my C84 Printer. at first I thought it was the cheaper Staples brand ink that I used rather than the Epson Brand - but I guess not. I've had the printer for more than 2 years now (last March was 2 years) and the same exact thing happened with the Black cartridge. BUT as I tried to clean it with alcohol and swab after removing all the cartridges - the other colors started clogging up as well. I replaced the black - then the yellow cartridge, both of those clogged up as well. Now when I run the test print on Nozzle Check, I get Cyan and Magenta printing and that's it. I've got 2 new cartridges (yellow and black) that aren't printing. I'm going to attempt Doug's cleaning protocol and report back.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Art Houston (5/22/06 11:47 AM) reply | + / - | Okay, I have an update for you after using the information from the German website (http://www.druckerchannel.de/artikel.php?ID=1116).
It’s not as bad as it sounds. Read on.
Tools: Butter knife, Epson solvent available here on this site, and surgical gloves. Patience, too.
I made sure I did this before I began: I powered on the printer, and after it clicked a couple of times and began making a continuous noise, I pulled the power cord. This leaves the carriage free to move by hand, and you’ll need to do that.
First, I copied the German paragraphs a few sentences at a time and translated them using the babelfish site (http://babelfish.altavista.com/) and placed them into a Word doc so I’d have a ready reference to use while looking at the pictures. There are some words that Babelfish won’t translate, but you will find yourself saying “that word must mean unclipped.”
There are LOTS of clips. It’s a clever design, and if you follow the steps given on the German site, you won’t break anything. Finesse, not force.
My first observation is that the procedure shown on the website is intended to be used to replace the absorbent materials for the waste ink in the base of the printer. Babelfish translated a particular German word into the English word “soil,” but they mean the “base” or “bottom” of the printer unit. The entire insides of the unit are fastened to a large gray plastic base. Since I did not want to replace the absorbent materials, I did not have to unscrew any screws, nor go nearly as far as the German tech went. In fact, I could have done what I needed to do by only removing the right side cover. Even so, you have better access to the entire unit with all three covers removed. The rather cryptic reference to a “haven” for the USB connection is basically a fitted housing that surrounds the parallel and USB connectors. Take a butter knife or something like it and put it into the slot in the bottom to release the lower portion of the USB connector housing. Then you can go ahead and remove the left side cover, then the “main” cover.
My aim in doing this was to check the hose arrangement used to draw waste ink to the absorbent pad system. One of the many reports about the C86 discussed clogging of the hoses, and it mentioned that clearing the clogs had restored operation of the printer. I wanted to try it before junking the printer. More on that later.
The hose assembly has three main parts: first, there is a very thin hose that attaches to the bottom of a narrow plastic part with rounded ends that is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carriage. I’m thinking that this small hose and its fitting are intended to draw ink out of the printhead assembly and cap the printhead when the unit powers down to keep the printhead from drying out. The other end of the small hose fits onto the underside of an adapter on the side of the removable cleaning/capping assembly where it connects to a larger diameter hose fitted to the top of the adapter. This second, larger hose loops under the whole assembly and leads into a black circular device just behind the printhead area that is no doubt some kind of pump. At any rate, this device is somehow encouraging the ink to flow through a third (I’m not sure about that, since I did not take it apart) hose over to the ink “tank,” which is an open-top plastic area that is cast into the plastic base and which has a large piece of woven absorbent material in it. It looks like the last hose lays under the absorbent material, but I did not have a high intensity inspection light, so that's a guess. That's where my hose ended up after I was finished.
I was able to use the solvent purchased here on this site to check for a free flow through the hoses, including the small diameter hose under the printhead capping/cleaning device. Even though I was able to find a free flow of solvent through the entire hose system, I’m leaving the solution in the hose for about an hour or so until I am ready to assemble the printer and test it.
Notes:
Surgical gloves would have been a good idea to prevent skin staining. I didn’t have any today, but I recommend them.
Be careful with the door where the paper comes out. The small plastic nub that is the hinge is delicate. Mine broke on the left side. I’ll use super glue to fix it, and the reinstall the door later.
The entire “assembly” that lives under the parked printheads and ink carriage can be gingerly removed from the far right-hand end of the printer after removing the right side end cover and getting the carriage out of the way. This cleaning/capping assembly mates with two small protrusions near the end of the assembly that points toward the center of the printer, and a seating post that accepts the outer end of the assembly. The outer end MUST “snap” down into place after positioning the other end. There is a flexible clear plastic guard that is glued to a couple of pieces, and you have to carefully peel the lower end of it off the assembly to be able to remove it. (You can see this plastic guard before you begin this job by getting the printhead carriage out of the way and looking to the right inside the printer). Be VERY careful when trying to remove this assembly, as it is EXTREMELY delicate and no doubt costly to replace. You might start by applying lifting force to the bottom of the outer end of the assembly, rather than grasping the delicate moving parts of the unit.
When you are placing the assembly back into position after cleaning or re-connecting the hoses, be careful to check the position of a white, flag-shaped object that is on the front side of this removable assembly. Position it the same way you found it before you removed the assembly, the “down” position. The flag is left “down” when you move the carriage to the left to get it out of your way. Don’t force the carriage, follow the method I gave at the top. The carriage will operate this flag-shaped arm to move the assembly as needed.
Replace all covers. It takes no time at all to snap all of the pieces into place.
Okay, now for the test.
At first, I thought I had a different problem here from the one that some of you are having with your C86 machines. In fact, it’s likely that I managed to repair a different problem, since I had found all of my hoses connected and had a free flow of this site’s solvent through the hose system. After my test, I initially had output of an almost-blank sheet of paper (I used the word doc of this account for the test) with some occasional faint, barely readable type with my recently filled black ink cartridge. Maybe I had an air bubble.
Since only the black ink had a problem getting onto the paper, I removed the cartridge and cleaned the printhead with a full syringe of solvent. I had tried cleaning the black ink printhead a few timed before I opted to take the machine apart.
I then reset all of the cartridges and filled them until ink dripped from the bottom ink ports of the cartridges. When the drips stopped, I put each cartridge back into the carriage.
I ran a couple of cleaning cycles on the machine, and then printed a nozzle pattern. Presto. A perfect pattern.
If I’d had a hose problem, this would have been to way to approach it, so if you have a blank page output, I’d carefully give it a try. Do wear the surgical gloves, too.
I'm not sure how I would approach an air bubble problem with an OEM cartridge.
Good luck.
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 | Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Keith Smith (5/24/06 6:36 AM) reply | + / - | Heres a thought from the UK about Epson inkjet problems, I use epson printers quite a lot and like them for easy setting up etc. But I found this site as I had problems with durabrite inks and clogged heads. The big advanatgae of epson is cheap clone cartridges. Just buy an epson printer, when the cartridges run out buy clones at about 15-20% of the price for epson. Hey presto if the printer runs for 12 months without problems and then clogs, throw it away and start again, the saving on cartridges more than pays for the new printer. This way every 18 months or so you have a brand new printer at no cost.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by philipbryan (5/24/06 1:16 PM) reply | + / - | I took a shot at fixing this myself with some success. I can print again.
I followed the instructions here:
http://inkjetprinterhelp.us/duraink.html
Its a big job. took me about 3 hours. and you will get ink all over yourself.
my tips:
remove right side case
remove the ink carriage via a screwdriver snap thing on the bottom. You cant see it from above.
make sure you are cleaning the long semi transparent tube. not the small skinny black one.
I didnt have the cleaning solution so i used compressed air to clean out the tube. The little cans with the plastic straw for blowing dust off of electronic components. Be careful you know where the other end is pointed as gunk is going to come shooting out.
'
best of luck.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by art houston (5/24/06 2:49 PM) reply | + / - | On my C86, the small skinny black tube feeds the long semi-transparent tube, so both of them need to be free of clogs.
I think that having the solvent available was worthwhile, though I'm a little surprised I didn't create a new problem when I used the C86 repair kit. The C86 repair kit is no doubt designed to work with Dura-brite ink, which is a factor I had not considered when I ordered the kit last year. My bad.
Note: there are two "repair kits" availabe for the Epson printers. One is apparently for use with the Dura-brite pigment inks, and the other is for regular dye ink used in other models. I had ordered the C86 kit and did not realize that there was a second kit available. I had made the transition to dye ink last year because of the difficulty I was having in locating a good pigment ink. By the time I found a source for pigment ink, I had already been using the solvent designed for the C86, which assumes the use of Dura-Brite ink.
For most purposes, I have found the dye inks to do a very good job, and I have saved about four times the value of the printer by not purchasing Epson Dura-Brite cartridges.
Since pigment and dye inks are made using differnt chemistry, it stands to reason that their solvents would be different as well. In the future, I'll use the solvent intended for the non-Durabrite model printers, which very likely will use an ink similar to what I am using in my "aftermarket" cartridges.
My printer is still working well after its minor procedure the other day, and the ink has worn off of my skin.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by art houston (5/27/06 7:17 PM) reply | + / - | I'd consider the "repair kit" to try and clean the printheads.
This is the kit page:
http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/kits
Assuming you are using one of the printers described in this thread, I'll also ask if you have checked and cleared the tube that draws ink out of the cartridges during the cleaning/priming cycle. The methods to do this are explianed above.
Good luck.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by art houston (5/31/06 4:10 PM) reply | + / - | Ten days now and it's still working.
What a great feeling, to dodge the "printer replacement" bullet!!!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by capmarv  (6/22/06 11:32 AM) reply | + / - | Anonymous, Art,
YOU GUYS MADE MY DAY!!! You responded to my thread on the purge pump posting and my C64/C84 repair attempts. On a lark, decided to read this thread today, the last day to submit a claim for the Epson settlement, which I've just done. Maybe I'll get a small token of recompense for my expenditures on Epson products.
Admittedly, Epson color printers produce high quality photo reproductions, but I've used Epson only since dot-matrix days, and have no others to compare. After looking closely at the intricate laser engraved print head under magnification, I'm absolutely amazed they last for a year with any ink.
capmarv
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by dgtuller (7/2/06 6:16 AM) reply | + / - | I had a Stylus c6something which I threw away after 14 months because of the clogging problem. When my current c86 developed the same problem after 15 months I got smart and checked this site. Got the cleaning kit for about 10 bucks and all is well. All Epson could say was to run the head cleaning process multiple times, replace all the ink cartridges (nearly the cost of the printer), or take it to my nearest authorized service center which is three hours away. They deny any knowledge of this chronic problem. When this one bites the dust it will be the last Epson product I ever buy.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by AndyinCanada (7/27/06 5:51 PM) reply | + / - | I have the same problem as everyone else here (2nd Epson Printer now dead with full cartridges). I won't be made a fool of with a 3rd Epson printer.
What other make/model would you recommend in the same price range as the Epson C86?
Thank You from Canada!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by shangana (8/3/06 6:03 PM) reply | + / - | This is absolutely incredible. I've been dealing with the same problem as everyone else here. I was shocked to come across this site when I Googled "Epson C86." What a scam this is. I will report it to the Better Business Bureau although I doubt it will matter. Thank you to everyone who wrote in. It is validating to know that I am not alone. I take care of my computer equipment and this printer problem out of nowhere has been a mystery. Well mystery solved.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Shangana (8/9/06 11:46 AM) reply | + / - | I was having the same problem as everyone else here. I want to report that I did file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in Colton, CA (labbb.org). The company is a member of the BBB and therefore are obliged to respond. Epson responded within a couple of days and offered to replace the printer with a C88. I understand that many would rather not continue with an Epson printer, but regardless the company needs to know that these problems exist. If you don't want a replacement printer you may try to request a refund for ink cartridges, etc.
It is also important for an agency like the BBB to be informed of these issues as well so that they can report to the public.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by art houston (8/9/06 1:00 PM) reply | + / - | Another update:
I decided to replace the C86 I was using in my office with the C88. I was able to acquire the C88 from Epson after talking with a tech and getting the correct approach to use to get the "loyalty" price on the C88, which appears in red ink, at $59.00 and free shipping.
I took the C86 home to investigate it further. Despite some attitude from a participant here, I was able to get the unit working. Since I had enjoyed some success before (see my post above with the explanation of using the German website to open the unit) I decided to take a new approach that incorporated some of the earlier attempt that produced good results for a few weeks.
First, I found a vendor on ebay that sells the new generation of pigment inks that are intended for use in place of the new "durabrite ULTRA" inks. The "ULTRA" inks are the new generation of inks that you get with a C88 printer. The same vendor had the new "auto-reset" spongeless cartridges, which are a big improvement over the old style "compatible" carts that have the sponge material inside. It makes filling easier, and I believe helps to reduce the small air bubbles that become trapped in the nozzles.
I bought a set of carts for the C88 and the four color pigment ink bottles to go with them. They worked well immediately.
I also bought the new spongeless carts for the C86 that had become problematic.
I realized that I might need a large amount of purging fluid, and one of the vendors on ebay had a large bottle, about 130 ml, for under ten dollars. He wasn’t able to tell me whether or not it was the Symphony fluid. As a side note, I ended up writing an edit on the new ebay wiki under "feedback fairness," because the solution vendor stopped leaving positive feedback for buyers last September. Now, I will always check the link called "left for others" under the member profile box, to see if the seller leaves feedback for their buyers. A lesson learned. Maybe next time I’ll buy the MIS fluid, which is more expensive.
At any rate, I performed the head soaking procedure where I fill the capping sponge with cleaning solution and then cycle off the printer, with the hopes of dissolving the dried ink on the business side of the printhead. I was able to let it sit for several days, since I still have an old Lexmark Z52 from August of 2000 to use at home. I bought ink for that one at inksell.com and refilled the black ink cart through a little hole I made in the top of the cart. I rarely print in color on the Lexmark.
The C86 was unresponsive to the printhead soaking, so I took more drastic action today. I had previously observed the flow of ink through the purge pump system, so I had been going on the assumption that it was still purging, as I could still see some movement in the second tube, the one that goes into the ink pad absorbent material. I decided to check it's operation for myself.
First, I took off the printer outer covering, exposing the internal workings of the machine. I had already placed some cleaning solution in the new spongeless carts and let them sit in the carriage while I was trying to dissolve the dried ink on the underside of the printhead using the soaking procedure. Perhaps that helped to dissolve the ink deposits in the nozzles. I ran a cleaning cycle and was not impressed by the activity I saw in the inkpad tube, so I decided to remove the capping mechanism and connect a syringe of cleaning fluid directly to the tube that feeds the purge pump at the front.
I worked both the inlet and outlet tubes connected to the purge pump. What a mess, but necessary. After several minutes of irrigation, a put a little extra force on the inlet side, and experienced a sudden release of fluid during a cleaning cycle. Apparently, there had been an unseen clog in the purge pump assembly, and the cleaning solution was able to soften it enough for removal.
Although the printer now prints without banding as intended, I did run a cleaning cycle where the platen roller appears to jam. It’s intermittent, and I thought that if the purge pump is a “vane” design, I might have broker off one of the vanes as I moved the platen manually. However, the platen does occasionally turn during purging, and the flow of ink to the absorbent pads is better than I have ever seen before. Now, I’m getting much better cleaning and priming of the printhead, and the results with the new ink are very good.
Special note: there are two black pigment inks available. One, that comes with the refill kit, is a very dark gray. The other is called “photo black, which I imagine is as black as the typical dye-based black ink we often see for photo use. I may buy some of the “photo black” ink and see how it looks for general use.
I can live with that intermittent platen problem, since I had no idea at all that any of this would work, and was just a day spent at home in the air conditioning to see if I could save it from the garbage truck. I also downloaded the SSC service utility to try that out. The latest version covers the C86 and C88. Even though I have the auto-reset chips on the spongeless carts, I may reset them to “full” and then freeze the levels so I don’t have to remove the carts to reset them, and by doing so introduce air into the printhead assembly.
I’m glad, because now I still have enough room in the backyard for more cats.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Anonymous (8/9/06 1:10 PM) reply | + / - | So it WAS a clogged purge tube after all. And you did not need to remove the print head. Maybe the "attitude from a participant here person" did help out out after all.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by art houston (8/9/06 3:19 PM) reply | + / - | No, my friend. It was the ADVICE that helped.
Had I not had some experience with hydraulics, I might not have tried to feed solution directly into the purge inlet tube. That was based on experience and a desire for some empirical observation.
Everything I had seen regarding the purge mechanism either showed a disconnected tube (which appears to be slightly different on the C86) or a clog in a location that was easily appreciated. Without a description of the volume of fluid typically ejected into the absorbent pad during the purge cycle, I was unable to assess the operation of the purge mechanism in a meaningful way.
The "attitude" was just a pain in the behind, and was totally unnecessary.
Note to others having a hard time with the C-series:
1) make sure a good amount of fluid can come out the outlet tube of the purge mechanism. Feed it in with a syringe if you can, after removing both the housing and the capping/cleaning assembly. It lifts out by first raising the outer end of the piece, by lifting it off the mounting post. You must take note of the inboard end of that assembly as you take it out so you will know how to position it when you put it back into place, later. It only goes back one way, or it will stick up too high. It snaps into place without fasteners. Don't put it back into place without re-attaching the purge hose.
On the C86, the purge hose meets an integrated hose adapter that steps the smaller hose from under the capping assembly up to the slightly larger hose that goes into the purge pump. The smaller hose is dark colored, and the larger hose is translucent, with a green stripe. When feeding cleaning solution into the purge tube, if you do it right, you can hold the purge inlet tube out to the right, and feed in the cleaning solution while the carriage is in the position it uses for purging/head cleaning. Don't sacrifice any fingers while you do this. That little motor has enough torque to make that carriage really fly back and forth, and it can really hurt you.
2) use the soaking procedure: place some cleaning solution on the capping "cup" and cycle off the printer using the power switch. Let it sit for a day ot two.
3) consider the spongeless carts that you can use to run cleaning solution through the printhead nozzles. They work great, and the auto reset chip is a great feature that allows high quality aftermarket ink refills without holding the carts in the air and lining up the old resetting tool. I would also use cleaning solution before changing ink types.
4) I saw one site that said use Windex, but I wouldn't do that. It could ruin the printer. I'd instead spend the money on the right cleaning solution. One company has a gallon jug of it for $85, but there are 130ml bottles that are very reasonable.
If nothing here works, you can probably get a new printer for the cost of four ink carts. A printhead kit is $116.97, which is patently absurd. That's what we used to call a "warranty only" part, since no one in their right mind would pay for it themselves.
Perhaps the best advice is don't give up on this too easily. If you have the cleaning solution, the time, and the inclination, you might not have to throw this problematic unit out with the trash.
Thank you for visiting the attitude free zone.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Canuck (8/17/06 8:37 PM) reply | + / - | I had a C86 dry out after 5 months. After a bit of a battle I got it replaced under warranty. About a year later, same problem with the new unit which had barely been used (maybe 200 pages!) Of course the new unit was no longer under warranty, but I was pretty sure it hsoud last more than 200 pages.
I called Epson and asked for a free replacement because there was obviously a deign flaw. Every time somebody told me "No" I asked to talk to their boss. After ascending three levels thtough the help/customer service hierarchy at Epson Canada, last week they agreed to make a one-time exception (.... disclaimer, blah, blah, don't tell your friends, there is no design defect, etc, etc) and sent me a shiny new C88. They didn't want the C86 back - I wonder why not.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by StPD (8/17/06 11:34 PM) reply | + / - | CaTsr-I'm in the same boat. I've stumbled across this board and discovered just now that I'm not alone and that Epson sucks. I used Epsons in previous jobs that were great but they were big commercial printers. My little C84 had been great until today. the cartridges ran out at the same time and when I replaced them, I got nothing. Stupidly, I bought back up cartridges, too. More than $100 worth.
Now I think I'll get another C84 (this one is 2 years old and well beyond warranty) and then complain that its broken just before the warranty expires.
thanks for the idea.
pd
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by EpsonButtPlug (8/22/06 8:47 PM) reply | + / - | This kind of thing is shameful of a reputable manufacturer.
Wish I had the patience to follow all the wonderful advice and instruction... but cuddling up to my C86 on the bear skin rug infront of the fireplace with a syringe, butter knife and latex gloves is not my ideal evening.
If there is such a thing as the mythical loyalty program it had better include a deep tissue massage with complementary oysters.
Can't believe my girlfriend was right... we should have got the HP... damn.
I hope the epson designers have a horrible inky death at sea from giant inky squid.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by madscientess (8/23/06 10:01 PM) reply | + / - | It seems I am the hundredth person to experience this problem, mine is the C84. Yes, it worked fine up until the ink got low, then when I went to replace all the cartridges, nothing at all will print. About the "Loyalty" program: if you do everything the Epson website service engineer suggests and it doesn't help, then you can call the Epson help line and they won't charge you IF you tell them that you've done everything the service engineer said to. Then the help line will give you a "password" to log into the Loyalty site. I have just about decided to get a refurbished RX-500 for $90 from their clearance area, but after everything I've read here, I'm afraid to. What do you all think? Also, Please Tell Me: how do I get the cover off of the C84 to look for the ink tubes???
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by moodybob (8/25/06 3:19 PM) reply | + / - | My C-86 was a freebie that came with a laptop. For more than a year it made great color prints, then the red ink began to print intermittently. Finally, the red quit completely. I discovered and bought the head cleaning solution from fixyourownprinter.com and began printing great color prints again. After a couple of weeks a little window opened on the screen everytime I tried to print, telling me some internal printer parts were nearing the end of their life. I ignored it and kept on printing until the message said the internal parts had reached the end of their life, and the printer refused to make a sound. The green power light is off, and the red paper and ink lights are blinking alternately. Following Epson's posted trouble shooting guide, I am led to the suggestion that I contact Epson. Ha! Has anyone else had this problem?
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by gchow (8/30/06 2:26 PM) reply | + / - | same as everyone else, I have a c86, 4 months out of warranty, routine cartridge change, prints blank pages. Called IT support, he knew exactly what the problem was and said that i needed to buy a new printer and was about to refer me to that stupid program. After seeing how many people have the same problem...is there anything else we can do? i've had this for 16 months! what a waste.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by barathron (8/30/06 8:41 PM) reply | + / - | Same sad tale of woe for me. My 13 month old C86 quit outputting black ink after I had just bought a new $35 cartridge for it. I won't even bother with the specifics as everyone else has already told my story.
That is it for Epson with me. Been using them since the 80's but NEVER again. Epson seems not at all concerned about its customers. Their greed has blinded them apparently.
I may give a crack at cleaning the machine as some here have done. If I get it working I'll let you all know.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by MrParrot (9/2/06 7:32 AM) reply | + / - | C86. Same issue! This is probably the fifth Epson I've had since the 80s. I build systems and train new users. I have endorsed Epson for over 15 years. All this has changed.
After this experience, I will direct all my clients to HP.
The expense of five ink cartridges, the cleaning kit, the ruined shirt and not to mention my time spent all add up to way more money and hassle than it is worth to own an Epson! Epson's unwillingness to accept responsibility for this incredibly poor design is beyond appalling.
Thanks for the help, Art Houston, and others. I think we have all learned a valuable lesson.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by akoehlho (9/2/06 7:53 AM) reply | + / - | Exact same story as barathron above...I have had my Epson C86 for about a year and a half, bought new ink....blank pages. Now, I can take my printer to a tech to try and fix it for about the same cost to buy a new printer or spend 3 hours trying to fix a printer that I will probably break in the repair process or get it to work for another lousy couple months while getting ink all over the joint. What a bunch of crap!!!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by JRW (9/2/06 2:41 PM) reply | + / - | I do believe the C86 should be sold as a disposable unit only like a Huggie, Tampon, or overripe bananna; use it once until the ink runs out and throw it away. How can a company that continues to produce these pieces of scat stay in business. Oh, I'll answer that; there are many slow learners out there like me who are on their 3rd, 4th, or 5th Epson and only now will give up on the brand. So if they can continue to sell the upcoming generations even 2 or 3 printers they can stay in business and make their fortune off of selling ink cartridges. The usless machine sits here on my desk with its blue and white emblem announcing that it is an EPSON C86, not heavy enough to be used as a boat anchor but maybe could be used for target practice or I could cut the top out and use it for a petunia planter. My new printer will be an ANYTHING BUT EPSON!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by nbl (9/12/06 5:25 PM) reply | + / - | Same problem as all you others. My neighbor gave me my Epson C86 (came free with their computer). I can't bring myself to tell them "thanks a lot". Worked great for about a year through 2 black cartridge changes, then - nothing. I'm on my way to buy an HP.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by kathyo (9/16/06 3:20 PM) reply | + / - | There's nothing I like more than realizing that my Saturday has been wasted trying to get my C86 to print again. Mine was a gift but that actually makes it worse for me. I'm all for trying to fix things myself but these threads (and thank you all for letting me know it wasn't me)have pretty much scared me away from self repair. I also, will not be buying Epson again. A corporate repairman at work told me to go Cannon. He said it is by far the least expenseive to replace printer cartridges. I notice everyone here says HP. Any comments on Cannon?
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Anonymous (9/18/06 12:37 PM) reply | + / - | Seriously, go look at Doug Bracey's post on 5/17 below. This works. I just fixed my Epson c86 as well. It took me approximately 1 hour. You don't really even need instructions, just pop off the right side panel, unhook the black and white plastic structure below where the ink cartridges store and clean the tubes by squeezing it out with your fingers. Pop everything back on like it was before and your printer works again. Thanks a million Doug!
Ryan
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Novice (9/24/06 1:42 PM) reply | + / - | Yes, me too. What a piece of junk. However, I wanted to post a *thank you* to all contributors. I spent one hour fixing the problem instead of wasting time calling Epson.
I had trouble getting the German instructions / pictures working-- so I just decided to wing it and have some fun. Post by Anonymous 9/18 seemed to suggest not to overthink this-- and they were right!
After 1 hour, I was able to disassemble the housing, pop out the black & white plastic doo-hickey on the lower right side of the printer, disconnect the smaller tube. Then I squeezed out dried ink from larger tube -- started with the "pump" end that I didn't want to disconnect and squeeze toward the removed end. Next, I slid a large size paper clip through the two tubes to allow for better ink flow.
Put it all back together and what have you got? A slightly noiser printer but printing in all colors. My problem was no Cyan printing after last Cyan change, even though all others printed fine.
So while I'll never buy another Epson, I can now use this one until my cartridges are all used up, then pitch it (yes, I too just bought bulk pack of replacements!)
Thanks again to everyone for comments. 1 hour, no kidding!
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| Re: Re: Epson C86 ink problem by rbruce1314 (9/25/06 3:55 AM) reply | + / - | Novice is right, but with one simplifying point.
I had all the usual symptoms on Saturday after an ink swap.
Came here earlier (thanks guys!) and set to work. This is the minimal version.
Remove R/H and L/H outer covers (L/H simply so you can get top cover off)
Remove top cover.
Connect to mains and push red button to get carrier out of the way. Disconnect mains.
Prise out print head white/black doo-hickey (term pinched from above) It is held by two 'button' clips only.
Remove small tube completely. Remove end of large tube, and pull out other end of large tube from waste reservoir at back. (note this tube is not free to pull backwards/forwards as it is trapped by pump vanes).
Flush small tube with good ole WD40 until it flows freely. Reattach both end using sealant (bath type or similar) if it shows signs of coming off.
Fill ends (both) of large tube with WD40. Using small (flexible)wire, poke and prod each end in turn,removing wire and wiping excess ink off until nearly clean. Poke wire as far as it will go each time.
Reconnect to mains AS IT IS. place outlet end of large tube over some sort of waste container, making sure outer end is lower than inner.
GO through head clean process and watch until muck flows from waste tube. If necessary (I had to ) speed process by blowing down carrier end of large tube while it is trying to suck. It WILL clear.
Disconect mains.
Reconnect inner end of large tube: this one will almost certainly need sealant due to remains of WD40.
Bury outer end of waste tube in reservoir.
Replace doo-hickey on its studs.
Replace covers.
Job done. Just under 1 hour.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Lou3 (9/25/06 10:46 PM) reply | + / - | What a nice surprise to learn that I won't need to waste my remaining Durabrite ink or discard my C86 just yet. I'll clean the tubes as described above, look for generic replacement ink from this point forward, and hold onto the printer until it breaks again or I find a good deal on a non-Epson. And I'll definitely file a complaint with the BBB.
Any suggestions for an alternative to the Durabrite cartridges?
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| Re: Epson C86 Drips ink by cowboy0469 (9/30/06 9:22 PM) reply | + / - | My C86 drips black ink as it prints. Is there any fix for this?
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by testing (10/2/06 1:08 PM) reply | + / - | Alright, you guys all seem to have forgotten that you bought a pretty cheap printer. I've owned several HP's and 3 Epsons - 1280, 1270, 880. The 1270 died after 5 years, and the others are still fine. Yes, the 1270 had a sponge/head cleaning issue, but after 5 years, I just bought another one. You get what you pay for.. Pay a little more for the premium Epsons.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Chris2k (10/26/06 1:32 AM) reply | + / - | Had to change the black cartridge of my C86 and bought an original one.
As soon as I used it the printer started printing only blue (everything was in blue as the other colors were not used).
As the blue finished very fast, decided to change all cartridges with original ones and surprise... now I cannot print anything.
The pages come out white as when I insert them.
I cannot believe anything is dried out or blocked, as I printed in blue till I changed the cartridge.
Now I am in the same boat as all you guys.
Cannot believe there is no way to fix that :(
Let me know pls if you find a solution.
P.s. about the fact that the printer is cheap, that is not a good reason to sell rubbish.
Am using Epson and HP in my office and never had such a problem with an HP printer and those are sold at the same price.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Chris2k (10/26/06 3:12 AM) reply | + / - | Before having to open the printer and get ink everywhere, it seems very odd to me that the printer works and after changing the black cartridge the black duct gets blocked.
Furthermore, i change the blue cartridge and the moment I put it in, also the blue duct gets problems.
Then, after replacing also the other cartridges, I only get white pages :(
You really think all ducts get blocked that way ?
Hmmm.
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| Re: Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Tranh in NorCal (10/28/06 2:30 AM) reply | + / - | Hey thanks for the details Doug! If it isn't already frustrating enough that my C86's print head is malfunctioning, scouring the web to look for how to step by step clean it was 2 hours of cyber hell. Still, thank god for the internet and for your gem!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Sbghosh (11/1/06 1:33 PM) reply | + / - | Similar problem!! Changed balck cartige and tried to print. Got black and white prints with lines and no color. Thought the color cartriges were empty - replaced all three cartriges. There was no improvement. Prints only black and white with lines.
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| Re: Epson C86 Scam by sbghosh (11/3/06 8:03 AM) reply | + / - | EpsonC86 Scam
The black ink cartridge of my year and half old Epson C86 printer was out of ink. That is what I thought and bought a new cartridge for $28 (including shipping). I installed the cartridge, did a test print. The test print showed only B&W print with bands and there were no color to be seen on the test print. The printers ink light indicated that all three ink cartridges needed replacement. I bought Epson multi-pack of three color cartridges, from Amazon.com, for about $30, and installed. The test print showed same B&W print with bands and no color. For one whole evening I followed the maintenance procedure for nozzle testing and cleaning with out any change in print out put.
On11/1/2003 at about 6 PM I called Epson technical support line at 562 276 7525. Epson technician Mustafa took my call. I described the problem and told him what I have done to resolve it. I told him in detail that I followed the nozzle cleaning procedure and that I had repeated the procedure multiple times. He told me there are a few things he could do to fix the problem but there would be $9.90 charge. I trusted the confidence in his voice and decided to spend another $10. In the next 5 or so minutes he instructed me to do exactly the same nozzle cleaning procedure I did the night before. There was no change in print output. Then he declared that he had determined that there was hardware problem and the printer would have to be send for repair. He also told me I would have to bear the full repair cost. In addition he gave me an address www.epson.com/loyality and a password. He told me there are printers at heavily discounted prices or on rebate for loyal customer. When I visited www.epson.com/loyality , I got a message ‘The page you requested is unavailable’.
It seems he new right from the begging that there was a hardware problem. There are hundreds of exactly the same complaints for this printer. He could tell me that there was hardware problem without taking money and wasting my time. I think this was Epson scam. Mustafa (Epson) was a smooth operator and coned the last $9.90 out of a loyal customer.
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| Re: Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Anonymous (11/7/06 1:45 PM) reply | + / - | I have an Epson RX500, not top of the line, but not a cheap printer, and it just came down with the same problem described above, after a little more than a year.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Mr.T (11/26/06 1:44 AM) reply | + / - | I too had a dead C86. Thank you to everyone for posting "how to clean" the purge tubing. The only thing I can add is when I was reassembling, I put the capping part in wrong. The printer made a grinding sound and after took it apart again and put the two black fingers UNDER the metal piece, everything was great.
Not impressed with Epson!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by fats (12/2/06 3:03 PM) reply | + / - | Hello all there.
I had the same problem with my C86 as almost all of you above. Not used for about two months. Ink running out, changing carts, printing nothing for about 60 USD.
Today I took it appart, cleaned both tubes and voala, it works again.
Some additional info for those who wish to try: when removing the side covers inside there are two clips. Put your hand inside and pull them down until they release the cover.
I used destilled water to wash. It worked quite well for dura brite ink. There were "stones" totally dry ink pieces in all tubes. The transparent tube is quite flexible so first I bended back and forth so the 1/2 of the dry ink fall out easily. Only then started washing with injection syringe and slightly warmed up water. The hardest is to get through the pump. The pump is very simple: the tube itself goes through it, but wheels round once. An excenter pushes the ink forward in the tube and so it sucs from the carts. Where the tube enters the pump it is bended 90 degrees. That is the challenging place to clean. (I removed the pump to have alook at its inside, but it may not be necesary in your case).
Do not forget to clean the place where the black tube meets with the transparent one.
Finally, I think it's hard for the pump to start sucking if the intake is empty, so filled the tube with the same water before assambling.
First printed a test page with stripes, after one head cleaning printed the test OK and then my dougter's photo fine.
Thanks a lot again to everyone. I feeled bound to share with you my experience and sorry if I repeated something.
I've taken photos of the action and stand ready to share.
Good luck.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by susanw (12/5/06 5:09 PM) reply | + / - | Thanks to everyone. Epson has never returned my email concerning my C86 which has new cartridges but prints absolutely nothing despite repeated cleanings. This is my second Epson and never again. Totally frustrating. I have never had a problem with HP printers at work so will switch at home. I think my husband and I will spend this Saturday disassembling this old Epson for the fun of it. Thanks again! Isn't the Internet great? Susan
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by farfranklin (12/6/06 5:12 PM) reply | + / - | Replaced black cartridge and surprise, no black output. Tried the techniques and cleaning fluids recommended. Still no black, but the new black cartridge I installed is now empty. Any sure way to clean the print head? I, too, will be looking for a different brand of printer.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by fats (12/10/06 1:06 PM) reply | + / - | Hi,
Not sure what exactly you have tried, but if all other colors are functional I suggest cleaning the head's black channels and the parking place.
Move the head to the left by pushing the ink button. Unplug power supply. Remove covers. Remove parking place together with its frame - release the clip on the right side, lift slightly up, pull to the right of the printer, unplug the transparent tube and it's free.
Prepare a sponge (or somthing what could suck in the liquid you use for the cleaning. Put it to the parking place. Move the head above.
For cleaning you need a syringe, destilled water warmed up to about 60 C, not more or whatever cleaning liquid you already may have. There are two ways to attach to the ink intake: cut the syringe end shorter until it fits or use a small tube (about 3 mm of diameter, e.g. wire insulation).
Remove black cart. Suck up liquid into the syringe. Leave air in it to compensate pressure. Attach to the ink tube. Push carfully the liquid through the head. Move it a little back and forth. If you push to hard can damage the head. Repeate 2-3 times with 2-3 ml liquid.
Do the same with parking channels through the small black tube.
Put all parts back and check. You can check without covers as well.
Of course you should replace or reset the black cartridge before (it is not empty rather full of ink - the chip counts the printing commands and does not measure the ink level.
Good luck.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Jillybear (12/10/06 7:12 PM) reply | + / - | OK,
Enough is enough.
My 3rd Epson Stylus C86 (in 2 years) is a piece of crap. I've never used, or seen, a bigger piece in my life. I have told the IT managers in our company to heed the lawsuit information and blogs I've forwarded and immediately cease buying Epson products altogether. This is absolutely reprehensible!
If you value your hard earned dollar ... NEVER NEVER NEVER buy Epson!
I'd forgive a company that stood behind their product and admitted the engineering problems. To date ... haven't seen anything from Epson but an attempt to cover up.
I'll now take my machine and ceremoniuosly dispatch the unit to its early demise (assisted by gravity of course). I'll give up on any help by Epson (don't have time to sit on the phone all day and wait for a replacement piece of ____ in the mail like the last 2 times).
I'll buy another brand and take the loss (because, as Epson knows, I don't have time to fight them over this nonsence). I'll take it like a grown-up, and accept the fact there is nothing I can do.
Except ... NEVER NEVER NEVER buy Epson again! Of course, I reserve the right to bitch about it on the internet.
Signed,
John Peterson - Dissatisfied Epson owner.
67 Reunion
Irvine, CA
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by hf150xlt (12/16/06 12:22 PM) reply | + / - | I had a c82 that quit working back in the spring of 05. I bought a c86 to replace it and today I bought a new balck cartridge for it and get nothing but blank sheets out. Last time I used it was 3 weeks ago it worked fine but said the black ink was getting low. I only use it about once a month since June when I got my degree and no longer use it on a weekly bases for printing out stuff for classes. What is hard for me is I had an old epson dot matrix printer I used for many years but just updated to a new printer with my c82 and then a c86 the 2 new ones last about a year and a half and quit working. Epson quality has gone down hill they use to have good printers but not anymore. This c86 is my last epson printer it just plain sucks to buy a new printer once every year or so.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by hometeamdawg (12/16/06 5:11 PM) reply | + / - | Well, I may have you all beat on a C86 experience.
Changed ALL the cartridges, including the higher capacity black.
Almost $70.00
We did not used the printer much, but NEVER left it on when not in use.
Warranty is expired, and after replacing cartridges, nothing but blank pages.
I took it apart...I cleaned the tubes, compressed air, distilled water, paper clips, WD40....
I know I ran 15+ head cleaning cycles before I saw anything on the paper. I had to run that many more before it would print in "text" mode without streaking. Then I printed a document....and I'M LOW ON INK, EVERY COLOR EXCEPT YELLOW!
Hey, but it works! And, no, I'm not buying more ink.
For $70 additional dollars and 2 hours of my time, I've got one printed picture and one document...and one piece of crap printer, that currently works, but is out of ink!
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by designgirl (12/17/06 8:18 AM) reply | + / - | The last ditch cure .........
I am on C86 #3. Finally found an easy way to fix the clog problem - without tearing the machine apart. It requires two things: alcohol (the medical kind) and Que Tips.
Do this:
1. Remove cartridges
2. Dip Que Tip in acohol
3. Saturate area around the nozzle head
4. Replace cartridges and run nozzle check
5. Repeat steps 1-4 until nozzle check shows solid lines on all colors
6. Really stubborn? Saturate nozzle heads overnight - with cartidges in and printer turned off.
This may send the engineers into apoplexy but what do you have to lose if you're going to junk the machine anyway?
designgirl
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by Anonymous (12/17/06 8:47 AM) reply | + / - | Another rocket scientist who doesn't read the forum. If you did, you would have seen it mentioned hundreds of times! Alcohol, medical, isopropyl or drinking has ABSOLUTELY NO EFFECT on ink!!!! Might as well wave your magic wand over it. It would have exactly the same effect.
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| Re: Re: Epson C86 ink problem by WaveGuide (edited 12/17/06 11:45 AM) reply | + / - | At least not on dried up DURAbrite ink. The standard isopropanol cleaners are designed for dye based inks. The crux of all the Epson issues is the DURAbrite formula. This contains a resin to bond the pigments together (and to the paper). Unfortunately, when DURAbrite dries up in the print head or the pumping system standard flush doesn't work if the ink has fully cured. If the ink retains any moisture, an alcohol based cleaner can work well enough to get the DURAbrite flowing again. It's the fresh DURAbrite that dissolves the solid ink residues and the reason you have to waste gallons of the stuff to clear a stubborn blockage.
The solution is to buy the Epson cleaning gloop from this website OR try adding a small quantity of ethylene glycol to the standard flush formula. After some research, I believe a glycol of some kind is used in Epson gloop to redissolve the resin. Since ethylene glycol is the simplest and only one available to Joe Public (auto antifreeze) I suggest you try it. My own trials indicate ethylene glycol laced flush dissolves dried DURAbrite better than without.
I see Epson are now using non-pigmented, dye based inks in their photoprinters. Could be a clear sign that they've seen the light.
Cheers,
A Rocket Scientist
PS: Ethylene Glycol has a sweet taste but is highly toxic. Take appropriate precautions to prevent your kids or pets getting near it.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by ZNK (1/2/07 1:19 PM) reply | + / - | Just called Epson after reading this thread. I had the same issue as everybody else on the thread...C86 stopped printing about a month after warranty expired and I wasted 60+ dollars on new cartridges. I called technical support but asked to be transferred to customer relations after being told that I would only need to pay a nominal (hah) 9.95 fee for tech support -
I explained to Customer relations that my C86 stopped working after the ink ran out and that I would never buy Epson again because I found that many people were having the same issues. I also indicated that I knew about the law suit and that I was going out to buy a new non-epson printer today.
They immediately offered to send me a C88 with a 30 day warranty (instead of the full year warranty) and informed me that there was no need to return the busted c86.
Clearly they know that their product is crap. At least they are trying to patch up the problem by bribing me with a non-waranteed C88- hopefully the C88 won't die.
We'll see if it comes- they said about 5 business days...
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| Re: Re: Epson C86 ink problem by WaveGuide (1/3/07 9:44 AM) reply | + / - | Hello ZNK,
This is an ideal opportunity to prove a point about Epsons. When the C88 arrives, do not install the Durabrite carts. Use dye based compatibles instead and your Epson will last 'forever'.
JaX
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by tugboatdave (1/3/07 10:07 PM) reply | + / - | This forum saved me from throwing away my printer and 6 good cartridges! Same problem, changed black and soon lost all colors, Got all new cartridges $70 ,called Epson teck support $10(not including long distance with 10min. wait), they told me the print heads were plugged (brilliant deduction!),gave me the name of a local service depot($15+ phone book service!) who told me it was $40 down to even look at it and don't bother because it's not worth it. Went to store to get new C86 for cartridges(I figured I could save the ones that come with it then I would have 2 sets + 2 extra hi cap black), was told that C86 is dicontinued and C88 uses diferent cartridges, suprise!(of course warranty is long expired).
Found this site, Took off covers, hooked up printer and pulled a cartridge and pushed ink button to move head away, detatched large soft tube from connection under head parking spot hooked it up to small syringe(same as you use for feeding meds to pets,no needle,tube will fit over end) full of rubbing alcohol(sorry rocket scientist) Pushed plunger and watched gunk flow out of other end of tube, took 3 fills to clear tube completely.
Used syringe to drip alky into foam in head cap and let soak a few min. hooked tube back up, put cartridge back in and pushed ink button again, printer does its head setup thing and saw fuid moving in tube,saw that alky in head cap had vanished, printed test page and all is well!
I am not going to cry about Epson and demand their heads on stakes, these printers are cheap and one should not expect the moon from them but once this printer has finally expired and the C88 they send me(just hoping) I think a Laser printer will be next, any quirks with these?
Thanks to all who took time to hash this out and present it.
Dave.
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by gunner1 (1/4/07 6:17 AM) reply | + / - | I see i'm not the only one with epson problems. My problem began when i let the black ink cartridge to empty and took a couple of days to replace. After that barely anything printed on the paper. Cleaned heads several time to no avail. Bought the epson solution to clean tubes. Did it 4 times letting solution sit over night. It improved a little but no where near where it needed to be. Basically only printed in black when I used the printer because the colors never worked properly. But even the black was not correct. It printed to about 70% of effiecincy. Then had to replace black cartridge again and i am basically back to being able to print nothing. Tried to use solution to clean to no luck. I injected the solution into the cartridge ports all 4. They seem to flow fine and I can see the discharge on the paper towel i slide under the carriage so i don't believe they are plugged. But from what i read here there are some more tubes that can be clogged. If so looking for a good detailed description and pictures to try and fix. Can anyone help. And of course the printer is out of warranty and epson help is of no help.
thanks
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by tugboatdave (1/4/07 4:34 PM) reply | + / - | Gunner 1:
That page from Wes is good but the C86 tube attachment is different, if you remove the right hand cover(pulls off with some difficulty because of hidden upper clips) and look in the side you will see a clear splash guard that pulls off, on the lower left side of the head cap assy. you will see the spot where the small dark tube and larger clear tube connect which is mounted solidly to the head cap assembly, if you reach in with needle nose pliers or surgical clamp you can pull off the larger tube and attach whatever you use to clean it out. I prefer the small syringe with no needle because the tubing fits snug over the end and this procedure requires some pressure to overcome clogs and pump resistance(less mess).
It is far easier if you remove the left hand cover and top cover too, the print carriage assembly can be moved away by removing a cartridge and powering up the printer then push the ink button, head will move across to indicate empty spot and you can then unplug or leave on(your choice) you can then pull the detached tube straight up for much easier access and cleaning the head cap(foam part with dyke around it). At the back of the printer you can see where the clear tube goes into a absorbent pad, pull it out and place it in waste container.
Once clean replace tube and put cartridge back and press ink button again, this will cycle the carriage back and pump will run breifly and you should see fluid come out of tube, I did this a few times dripping cleaning fluid into head cap to make double sure it was clean and flowing good, I would recommend doing this regularly, should be possible from top with covers on using syringe with tube extension and same ink button procedure, will use some ink though.
Regards
Dave
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| Re: Epson C86 ink problem by packagedesigner (1/4/07 5:17 PM) reply | + / - | Jan. 4-07
I am having the same problem. Changed all the cartridges - no colour on the printed page. Cleaning done ad-nauseum...still no colour even though the ink monitor shows them to be full.
This is the second Epson I've owned. They both crapped out just after the warranty ended.
Time for an HP.
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