Message
Re: nozzle check
2015-08-15 by brian_downunda@...
Also, some cart designs have different instructions about refilling to avoid getting any ink in the vent path, as this can affect the internal vacuum of the carts. You need to follow the instructions for your carts. I have found the IJM ones (other than the 1800/2400 model) pretty easy and simple to refill.
If you still get cross-channel bleeding after doing all this, then it could be caused by a dirty or aged capping station, or leaky carts as Paul suggested. You can try the usual printer cleaning routine, but if the problem persists, then you have to decide whether the capping station is beyond hope, or the carts are leaking.
In my experience carts can leak slowly or quickly. If a cart is leaking slowly then you'll only see a small amount of cross-channel bleeding, whereas if the cart is leaking more quickly then you'll see more and it will be faster to emerge. If you're really unlucky a cart will drain. Of course this could also be the capping station. If it is the cart, then the nozzle check will give some indication of which cart is leaking - it's the shade of the ink which is appearing in the wrong place, and will generally be from a neighbouring cart. On the 1400, you can use any cart in any position, once you've put the correct chip on it, so it's not hard to put a spare cart in the suspect slot.
So the steps in dealing with cross-channel bleeding are (i) follow the filling instructions; (ii) clean the printer (capping station, wiper, under the head, ink nozzles); and (iii) replace any suspect carts.