Canon Printer problems

diamond_dave

I have just changed the cartridges in my Canon Pixma IP 3000 printer. First, wouldn't print at all then after about an hour of cleaning and head alignment, etc., it will just about print but VERY faint. I've tried loads of cleaning but nothing helps. Any advice PLEASE!

JJ_Egan

Damp kitchen towel on the print heads for an hour is what i would try . Eye dropper and a drop of water on the ink tubes under the print cartridges as well .

diamond_dave

Still not printing properly!! Have tried cleaning, deep cleaning etc. but still very faint. What can I do?

WTFH

Are the cartridges you've bought recently, or have you had them for a while?
Are they Canon ones, 3rd party, and are they new or refills?

If you want to go drastic, a drop of meths works wonders. (no, this time I'm not recommending drinking it, rather putting a drop on the cartridge head.)

diamond_dave

The cartridges are all new compatible cartridges. The printing is slightly better but it is the black which is faint and "fuzzy". Tried replacing the original black -same result. The colours seem ok. why would that be?
Can you explain about the meths on the printer head? Can it be removed easily? Treat me like a dummy as I know nothing about this printer.
PS I have tried a head realignment and a bottom plate clean plus numerous deep cleans.

WTFH

OK, you should be able to remove the whole print head...
Something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZheZf-vdho8

Now, I would say to ignore this video's advice of using warm running water, cause I'm not a fan of water + electrical gubbins.
I would dab meths on the head - just a little with a cotton bud. Initially, don't bother with doing it from the side you put the cartridges in, just dab the side which has the bars on it - dab/rub the bars, then wipe them clean with a cloth.
Repeat a couple of times and then try doing a deep clean. Initially the ink will be watered down, but it should get back to normal after a couple of cleans.

diamond_dave

A big "Thank you" to all who replied to this post. As per instructions, I removed the printer head and soaked it gently in warm water changing the water every couple of minutes.Then I flushed from the top several times, before replacing in printer.Initially, there was little difference, but on leaving it overnight, the ink must have soaked through to the heads and now all is PERFECT. Many thanks.

buglawton

Interesting. Now, is printer ink (a) water or (b) spirit soluble? Presumably you should not use meths if (a) or water if (b)?

But if water worked that's great...

In the past with Canon Pixma MG53050 I have had the occasional 'dud' ink cartridge that led me to think the printer was at fault, swapping the dud for a another fixed it.