Print Head Failure on Canon Pixma IP4300?

macman

I have one of the above inkjet printers which has given excellent service for about 3 years. Recently the cyan has refused to print at all, although the ink cart was still half full. Suspecting cartridge failure, I changed it for a new one (genuine Canon cartridges), but still the same problem. I have run every possible utility (print head alignment, nozzle check, cleaning and deep cleaning) but still it refuses to print any cyan.
Is this possibly a failure of the print head, if so is this in any way replaceable, or am I looking at buying a new printer?
I can't believe this is a software problem, as I have updated the drivers (Mac OSX) without any improvements.
Anything else I can try please?

basmic

You can buy a new print head, but they aren't cheap - about £40 on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-Canon-Printhead-QY6-0061-for-MP800%2fBJ-iP4300_W0QQitemZ370257877616QQcmdZViewItem

Take the print head out the printer, and run it under a hot water tap - but be warned: see the thick black rubber washer's in the print head, where the ink cartridge's nozzles link to? Make sure you don't wash them down the plug, like I did with my IP4200 print head.

familyfitz

Our print head needed replaced on a Canon printer - couple years ago now and cost approx £30 - 35 I think. Gave another 2 years good service before the ink absorber tank came up full and machine was not cost effective to sort.

Sorry, have no idea where we got the replacement from but know we searched online.

macman

basmic wrote: »

You can buy a new print head, but they aren't cheap - about £40 on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-Canon-Printhead-QY6-0061-for-MP800%2fBJ-iP4300_W0QQitemZ370257877616QQcmdZViewItem

Take the print head out the printer, and run it under a hot water tap - but be warned: see the thick black rubber washer's in the print head, where the ink cartridge's nozzles link to? Make sure you don't wash them down the plug, like I did with my IP4200 print head.

Thanks basmic, tried the hot water treatment and it seems to have done the trick! You're right about the rubber washers, one came loose but luckily I had the plug in.

basmic

You got lucky then - I never noticed, until I saw a black thing dash down the plughole. :eek: I thought it was a streak of ink - it wasn't until I looked closer, I noticed a missing washer. :rolleyes::D

Glad it worked for you, anyway - saved you £40 worth in drinking money.

spud17

Take the print head out the printer, and run it under a hot water tap

I've got an i560 and if I've not printed anything for a while, I print a colourful picture just to keep everything flowing.
Following on from basmic, I prefer to leave it overnight in something like a cereal bowl full of warm water.

omen666

preditation wrote: »

Stinkyink now offer ink cartridges for many printers! Oh and it's free delivery!

reported:money:

buglawton

I had a blocked colour on my ip series Canon printer (type with the separate ink tanks), somehow via running repeated deep-cleaning cycles I got it to unblock & work fine again. A duff ink cartridge must have caused the blockage.

thor

I have run my ip4300 printhead under the hot water taps unsuccessfully, left it soaking overnight in hot water to no avail and even left it soaking in a bowl of windolene(as recommended in many websites). None of this has worked.
The only thing left for me to try is using isopropyl instead of windolene as that is supposedly a good solvent to get out dried up ink. Unfortunately it is proving hard for me to find some without paying 2 or 3 pounds and I don't want to waste anyore cash if it is unable to guarantee as fix.

bordercars

def print head, mine was replaced as warranty but i had hammered the printer. still good 4 years on, and cheap carts. we use daily. canon know it's an issue, try writing and blag a new head