Digital BW, The Print

Hi John,

Since you addressed this to "Epson Printer Technicians", I'm not sure
you're looking for any more of my suggestions. However, since I'm a
bit dense and the question you've asked is fairly specific, I thought
I'd respond. Of course, feel free to disregard my comments... ;>)

Yes, the pump is actually a pump and provides the vacuum that draws
the inks out of the carts, down the lines and through the heads during
the fill, flush or init cycles. During KK2 cleaning or flush cycles,
this suction is increased to help break up clogs in the heads, etc. 

It doesn't actually pump ink "into the heads" as worded in your
subject line, but rather pulls the ink "through" the heads, which
gives you the same result of filling everything with ink. This is
pretty much covered on Page 65 of the service manual and on ensuing
pages discussing theory of operation.

And yes, the pump can wear out like any other pump, but since it has
"low mileage" and was working fine before your ink change, it's not
necessarily a prime suspect. However, since your pads are completely
dry after all the inits and KK2s, this part of the system (of which
the pump is one component) stands out like a sore thumb as being your
likely problem.

The fact that your parking pad and lines appear unobstructed is a good
thing, and the wear you've noted on one pad "could" be a problem --
but it's not likely it would cause the complete loss of functionality
you've described. Remember, the pump has two main components - the
motor and the pump itself where all the tubes connect (plus a few
gears and shafts connecting them).    

That is why I suggested following the manual's description of doing a
power-off rotation of the pump while feeding some fluid into the caps.
The wear to the pads or even the capping station seals becomes
irrelevant using this test, because the heads aren't even parked while
you're running this procedure.

Since you've already checked the capping stations and immediate drain
lines and they appear clear, you might want to look farther "downline"
on the system. Just keep in mind that a blockage anywhere between the
capping station and the exit point of the waste tubes can prevent the
flow you're looking for.

And yes, Epson prefers to provide only "high level" information
regarding the individual components within this area of the printer.
The average service technician these days isn't equipped technically
to do much more than swap out the assemblies, and that's not actually
for lack of information in the manuals. However, no need to go there.

My closing suggestion is to get as close to the pump intake as you
can, insert fluids there and see if anything comes out the other side
when you actuate the pump. That eliminates the question of whether
it's a plugged up tube or points to a problem with the pump itself.
Keep in mind that if the pump is full of gunk, it may not necessarily
be defective; just clogged. 

In either event, if you're working directly at the input and output
ports of the pump and nothing happens when you actuate it, or after
you've then filled it with some clog-busting fluid, let it set a bit
and tried again, then you've probably done all you can (unless you
want to attempt dissassembly of the pump itself) before replacing it. 

Best of luck, John. I'll hold off with any more suggestions online at
this point but feel free to contact me via email or the forum if I can
be of further assistance...

Cheers!
Richard

 


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "john dean"
<deanwork2003@y...> wrote:
> 
> Dear Epson Printer technicans,
> 
> I don't want to beat a dying horse here and I will be dealing with
this myself for a few days, 
> But:
> 
> I just took off the parking pad assembly and checked all the lines -
they appear 
> unobstructed. It seems that at least one pad is worn down a bit, but
I should be able to 
> order the pads without replacing the whole assembly just to cover
myself.
> 
> My question, to anyone out there, is - is this "PUMP" that brings
the ink into the heads an 
> actual PUMP that can wear out like any other PUMP ? Or, is it just
the physical location of 
> all these waste hoses going to the waste pads? If it is an actual
PUMP this could very well 
> be my lack of suction from the carts to the heads. And I would think
they would instruct 
> you to evaluate this first.  If it is not an actual PUMP then I
won't 
> bother replacing it.
> 
> This manual tells me nothing about the actual function and
construction of this "pump". 
> And, in typical Epson fashon, they just direct  you to replace the
whole - pump, pad, 
> parking pad, hose, assembly, etc. How rinky dink can you get. I can
see why the Epson 
> techs just replace everything and hope for the best, that is what
their manual tells them to 
> do. Repace this section or that section and let the customer pay
for it.
> 
> I'll disappear for a few days and come back with a better attitude.
I have really appreciated 
> all the constructive information. 
> 
> John