Digital BW, The Print

I have a refurb R1800 which I hope to use with the 3MK approach at 
some point.  I loaded it with MIS replacement inks with Ebay Joycolor 
carts.  The carts themselves fit better than the previous ones I've 
gotten from MIS and the valves don't drip ink (yet).

I'm finding that this printer is not nearly as reliable as my R220.  
I am having trouble getting good nozzle checks and now I'm getting 
some fouling where part of one color (for example black) is showing 
up in the Cyan nozzle checks.  I opened up the printer and here's 
what I saw:

http://jingai.com/phototests/R1800%20Fouling%201.jpg

http://jingai.com/phototests/R1800%20Fouling%202.jpg

Is my printer bad?  It doesn't seem to be depositing waste ink in the 
right place.  Are my cartridges the cause of this?  

Any help would be appreciated,
Roger