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I have an Epson 6600 scanner/FAX/printer, and a separate same generation Epson printer. The 6600 has been good, with no major clogs since we purchased it 3+ years ago.
However, the cyan nozzle just clogged - and I cannot get it unclogged using the nozzle head cleaning function. The printer-only model has been on the shelf for 2 years, and it has at least 2 clogged nozzles.
I have been using Epson inks for the past 2 years, so this issue is solely the Epson printer.
The question is what to do with these printers. Any news from the unclogging department? Good cleaner chemicals and/or cleaning tanks modules?
I've gone thru a lot of Epson printers over the years, and the clogging issue has always been their downfall. If I could solve this problem, I'd probably keep these in service for many years to come.
Otherwise, it makes more financial sense to get a different brand printer and pay to have these recycled.
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Some persons have recommended using a pad of paper towels or cloth wet with Windex under the print head to unclog Epson nozzles. Have not run into a clog yet, so never used that approach myself.
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put windex on the sponge where the print head rests. let it sit for a day and then try running the nozzle cleaning function 3 times. if that does work then repeat but let it sit for 3 days to a week. i've brought back a number of epsons with these tricks.
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Sad to see the old knowledge disappearing.
Fantastik, not Windex.
sekker, were you ever successful unclogging them before?
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I never managed to get my older Epson printers unclogged - the 6600 is a replacement purchase for a 6400 that critically failed 12 months and 2 weeks after purchase (just beyond warranty). My conversation with Epson tech support was comical if it weren't so sad - they basically admitted that most clogs are not solvable at their repair shops. The 6400 clog was from ink4art inks. The reason I had Epson OEM ink for the 6600 was because I purchased a batch of ink via the rebates from the class action lawsuit.
Back then, I purchased one of the special Epson cleaner solutions, which I think I still have. It is an unusual alcohol blend supposedly designed to help dissolve Epson inks.
Fantastic OR Windex are readily available in my household, thanks for the suggestion. I think I'll do some more web surfing as well.
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I'm hesitant to provide any further advice as I assume the nozzle design my knowledge applies to has been changed.
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I unclogged my RX220 by using Household Ammonia in a small shot syringe/needle (an eye dropper would work). I took out the cartridge and put 1 drop on the part that sticks up to pierce the cartridge. Put cart back in and run cleaning cycle 4 or 5 times and then put in another drop and repeat cleaning.
YMMV
Fred Also
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sekker wrote:
My conversation with Epson tech support was comical if it weren't so sad - they basically admitted that most clogs are not solvable at their repair shops.
Well, that's good to hear, I've never, ever paid to have one of those clogged Epsons repaired and I've always felt a bit guilty about it.
Interesting that you got an honest tech, the ones I've talked to prefer to accuse the customer of using the dreaded compatibles.
Really, considering how many Epsons I've had to discard, I just should give up it up as a bad habit and switch to HPs or something. I hear HP gives you a new head with each cartridge? And those who've switched claim the printouts are very good. Problem is, so far they are never artists or photographers, and those would be the only opinions I'd trust.
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I'm still running several old 740s. There was a time I had a problem with clogged heads, I just injected a short squirt of rubbing alcohol into the troublesome tank and ran it through a few cleaning cycles.
These old 740s are like driving and old Bug or Volvo, they just don't quit on you - even if you want them to.
