IP4300 missing PGBK grid from nozzle check

Hello Nifty Stuffers I'm back reviving this old thread,so far I haven't managed to fix my printer still the PGBK nozzle check is missing or great part of it,last weekend I removed the print head and put under a stream of hot water in the sink I repeat the procedure couple of times also soaked a piece of paper towel with windex and park the head there for one hour then repeat the hot water procedure and today after several days waiting for the head to dry,run the nozzle check and ..nothing.

One thing I did was the procedure described by turbguy on post #5 to check the purge system and the rectangular pad remains full no matter how many cleanning cycles I do. Could that be the problem?

I hope that the head and the electronics are not damaged because during some nozzle check I have got some faint PGBK traces.

I just fixed a similar print head problem for an MP780. It has had several stages of missing segments in the nozzle check. It once had all segments missing, blank, nothing black printed. Yet it recovered fully.

Initially the symptom was streaking when printing text documents. The coworker took the print head out and gave it a bath of tap water. The nozzel check got much worse. The BCI-3eBK was not printing completely and some cyan and magenta got problems too. It looked so bad that no one felt it has any hope any more.

I took it to a more reasonable treatment. I made up a liter of cleaner by adding about 10 CCs of Ammonia solution to a liter of water. The print head was soaked over night in this cleaning solution. The cyan and magenta were recovered and BCI-3eBK only recovered about 70%. I soaked the print head again with the same solution for another 2 days and 2 nights.

Installed the print head. Ran one cleaning cycle and all colors appeared perfectly. But there was no BCI-3eBK black in the nozzles check. That was a frigging horrifying moment. I did another cleaning cycle. Suddenly the BCI-3eBK was perfect. The MP780 has been back to business like new again.

What I experienced may be similar to yours. All you need may be just a lengthy period of soaking with a water/Ammonia solution. It is easy although takes several days. Don't bother with the purge unit.

IF YOUR "PARKING PAD" RETAINS THE POOL OF WATER, YOUR PURGE UNIT IS CLOGGED! PERIOD! The stained water pooled on the pad has seeped into the PGM-K nozzles and shows that they are firing. THAT'S A GOOD THING!

You WILL need to service the purge unit....it ain't easy. I had to clean out fine passageways with a thin wire, AFTER accessing the purge unit peristalic pump (which just snaps apart, once you get there!).

Wayne

I have the same problem so didnt think it necessary to start a new thread. In the nozzle check all print ok except the big pigment black PgiBk. Zilch, not a single line.

I have cleaned the printhead with solution of ammonia mixed with a little automotive screenwash and distilled water. It soaks throught the intake screen fast enough through to a tissue on the printhead/nozzle side.
Have also filled up the purge pads and they both empty of after I close then open the lid so I assume the purge pads are working. When I click on cleaning or deapcleaning option in maintenace software tab the cartridge emptie after a few deep/cleaning cycles.

Can I assume the cartidge is flowing ok? What else can it be because i'm having a slight pain in my chest with the thought that the printhead may be faulty as its the second one.

Please help

tan159753 said:

In the nozzle check all print ok except the big pigment black PgiBk. Zilch, not a single line.

Click to expand...

Have you tried a new OEM Canon Pigment Black cartridge? Do so. Alternatively, you could try a known working refill or an aftermarket cartridge if that is all you can do.

Your issue could be ink starvation, clog in the print head, bad purge system, logic assay board failure. It's possible the electrical contacts for the Pigment Black ink need cleaning - use a soft pencil eraser or isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth to clean the contacts on the print head and printer. Do not touch or clean anything else in the printer but the electrical contacts.

Have also filled up the purge pads and they both empty of after I close then open the lid so I assume the purge pads are working.

Click to expand...

Did the liquid you used to flood the pads POOL on top of the pads and stay POOLED until you closed the lid, either do a cleaning or let the printer cycle its maintenance, and then lift up the lid and look at the pads?

When I click on cleaning or deapcleaning option in maintenace software tab the cartridge emptie after a few deep/cleaning cycles.

Click to expand...

Deep cleanings are rarely the answer. Stop doing them, as well as all other cleanings until you either try a new cartridge or post your nozzle check here.

The cartridge I was using for the pgi BK was an original canon refilled using the german method with ink from websnail (UK). I have now changed it for an aftermarket cartridge but still nothing in the nozzle check. If the cartridge is emtying with cleaning cycles does it not mean that some ink is flowing? If so I should see the odd line of the grid printed in the nozzle check test? PLenty of ink from the long pgibk nozzles blot onto paper when the printhead is placed on it indicating that it is not blocked.

I usually fill up the purge pads with my cleaning solution till they are about to overflow off the edge then close the lid. After the printhead has done its little dance with the catridges, I then lift up the lid to check the purge pads and they are dry and cleanish. So I assume that the purge system is working.

tan159753 said:

The cartridge I was using for the pgi BK was an original canon refilled using the german method with ink from websnail (UK). I have now changed it for an aftermarket cartridge but still nothing in the nozzle check. If the cartridge is emtying with cleaning cycles does it not mean that some ink is flowing? If so I should see the odd line of the grid printed in the nozzle check test? PLenty of ink from the long pgibk nozzles blot onto paper when the printhead is placed on it indicating that it is not blocked.

I usually fill up the purge pads with my cleaning solution till they are about to overflow off the edge then close the lid. After the printhead has done its little dance with the catridges, I then lift up the lid to check the purge pads and they are dry and cleanish. So I assume that the purge system is working.

Click to expand...

Was the aftermarket cartridge brand new or a refill of yours? Only try known working refills or brand new cartridges to avoid introducing new variables.

Ink blotted from a print head is not proof of a properly functioning print head.

Sounds like your purge system is working.

Post a nozzle check as requested previously. Do not try to print anything else for now.

Hello,

I just registered. Just to let you know that I have the problem with genuine Canon cartridges on my IP4300... I tried to poor water in the pads, the PKBG pad stayed pooled... Should I be considering a printer replacement?

Thanks for the great info you prove on this forum!

Hi @andre404 and welcome, I assume by what you mean is, you filled both purge pads with water and the PGBK pad stayed flooded, are you having a problem printing black ?

Try using window cleaner (Lidl W5) instead of water and wait till the print head carriage returns to the pads on the right, then run a cleaning cycle, now try the same thing again and see if the PGBK pad is clear of any liquid, then run a nozzle check to see if that has made any difference..