Epson ink splatter

[Rob_p]

Had my Epson SX215 for about two years, worked absolutly fine all throught uni printing hundres of pages. Since I've brought it back I havent used it much over the summer and recently I've been trying to print some documents.

Everything prints fine apart from I get black ink splatter and streaks all down the pages which obviously ruins it. It looks like there is ink on the rollers, I've taken it apart and had the rollers out to clean. Also the rollers that take the paper from the top tray have been cleaned but it's still doing it. Upon first clean it didnt seem as bad but now it's come back. Does anyone have any ideas?

Here is a photo of a document I've just printed, it's at the top of the page and continues down the page in a line but not as dark.

 

[dentedshed]

Have you tried cleaning the print heads?

 

[Rob_p]

Many times!

 

[PPalmer]

I don't know much about that printer but if the print heads are on the cartridge it might be worth trying a new cartridge.

 

[ChrisH]

Looks like a bit of fluff on the printhead. By cleaning the printhead it means physically cleaning the head surface not running a cleaning cycle.

Chances are the head or carriage mechanism where the waste pad is has a bit of paper or fluff stuck to it thats wicking ink onto the printhead and dragging it accross the paper.

 

[Rob_p]

That could be a good idea, however taking everything off and taking the cartridge unit apart could be a bit tricky?

 

[ChrisH]

Switch on your printer and whilst the head is mid carriage unplug it.

Carefull lay some string in the bottom of the printhead tray under where the head passes.

Gently see-saw the string against the head, be gentle and you wont damage anything.

You may dislodge whatever is in there, try running a standard cleaning cycle.

I used to use compressed air duster and blast under the head in quick bursts as air duster will freeze ink.

SHame your so far away I'd have stripped it for you.

Don't try and move the head from the parked position when it's switched off you'll bust your printer.