Slight problem with MG7550 nozzle check

Soak away!

I have had a nozzle check in the past that looked similar but printed images showed no defect. Without soaking, this nozzle check pattern resolved. However, I do not recommend my laziness and instead recommend a trial of soaking. If done with proper care no harm should come to the print head, only benefit if at all possible and given appropriate patience (up to several days potentially).

I soaked the printhead in deionised water with Fairy liquid for a couple of days and the nozzle check is significantly improved! The second cyan strip is now almost perfect. It takes careful scrutiny with the naked eye to spot a couple of faint white streaks, whereas with previous test they were much more obvious and numerous (looking at both side by side). The 3rd (faintest) cyan strip is still a bit streaky but has noticeably improved.

I attach a zip file containing a 1200dpi scan of the latest nozzle check (nozzle2.jpg) together with the previous version (nozzle1.jpg) for comparison. Again I'm printing on glossy paper and with OEM cartridges.

Though not yet 100%, it is probably good enough for now. I need to print a few photos to see if it's a problem in practice and maybe attempt another soak when I get some W5 or ammonia.

Thanks for all your advice.

If you’re still not satisfied with the nozzle check, I would strongly advise you not to print anything at all till you can get the nozzle check back to 100%, otherwise the head will only deteriorate more and you may lose it all together..

ninj said:

I soaked the printhead in deionised water with Fairy liquid for a couple of days and the nozzle check is significantly improved!

Click to expand...

Good job!

The new nozzle check looks much improved. Maybe all you need is more soaking with the Fairy liquid.

Thanks both. More soaking it is then...

Yep, the second cyan bar is fine, you'll be able to do the 3th too !

It should IMO become like this

Just a quick update. I soaked my printhead again in a fairy solution. This time I did several changes of fluid and also agitated the head every so often. My method was to lift the head and let the fluid drain through it, and keep repeating. Lifting it fast as fast as possible allowed plenty of fluid to be scooped up with the head, thus increasing throughput. I only soaked for about 10 hours.

After drying and reinserting, a nozzle check showed a further significant improvement of the lightest cyan strip. Not 100% but close. Unfortunately the process had introduced a single blocked BK and PGBK nozzle. I suspect this was because I allowed the head to dry overnight in a warm area - I guess aiming for 100% dry is a bit of a mistake in case any residue dries and blocks a nozzle. The PGBK nozzle cleared after a standard head clean cycle.

Anyway, I left the printer alone for a few days and today thought about doing another soaking. Before doing so I did another nozzle check. To my surprise it now looks 100% OK again - I can't see a single white gap in the lightest cyan strip (or any other strip). So thanks to all for your expert advice and encouragement.