IP4500 + CISS - Isn't working

[razal]

Hi, I got some questions about the ip4500 ciss system.
Why am I getting very bad quality on my test prints and why isn't the black colour working?
See here: http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0086tu6.jpg (You can see it isn't good quality and the black colour doesn't work).
I've already cleaned the silicone seals in the printer head.
I have also disabled the low ink warnings message on the black colour as it's showing low ink on all of the colours.

I can't understand why I have low ink already. I've just printed maybe 5-10 covers.
Here how it looks: http://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0089ql5.jpg

As there was low ink I thought it didn't come any ink through the tubes. So I held the ciss system as high as I could. So I saw that there was coming ink into the tubes.
I've also tried to do Priming(remove the air filters and take the syringe and blow in air)
I have tried to clean and deepclean.
It still doesn't work. What should I do?

Here is a picture of the silicone tubing: http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0088xl4.jpg

Here is a picture where the ciss unit is situated:
http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0087ez2.jpg

I am really tired of this meesy ink now!

Please help me.

Thanks in advice

 

[websnail]

Uhoh...

Re: the low ink... You're almost certainly putting the reservoirs too high and the ink has syphoned into the printer which means you're headed for a real mess if you don't take it off the block or whatever you put it on... Huge no-no!

As to the rest I think you've basically overstressed or overpressure the printhead by putting the reservoir where you did.. I've enough experience of this sort of thing (with 6+ dead printheads to my name to prove it) that I recognise the symptoms.

It's also highly likely that you've done something else I've been guilty of, which is to try many things in anger without letting the system settle.

My advice would be to:

1. move the reservoirs to the same level as the printer
2. clamp the tubing
3. remove the cartridges from the printer and put the orange ends back on
4. walk away for 24 hours and get some rest and distance from the problem so you get a fresh head

THEN...

- return to the kit
- reprime the whole thing so the cartridges are full and ready to go
- take out the printhead, remove and clean the silicon AND the rubber grommets and clean out any lint or dirt
- replace the clean/dry rubber grommets and then re-add the silicon grommets taking care to clean them of grease and dust/dirt too
- reinstall the CIS kit, carefully and slowly, taking your time to re-read the instructions first
- let the whole thing sit for an hour then try yourfirst nozzle check and adjust in increments until you get it up and running.

You may find that the printhead itself is soiled and needs cleaning so check the forum for info on that... and given that you forced ink by lifting the reservoir you may also have knackered the printhead although hopefully not.

Patience is definitely a virtue and essential tool with the Canon CIS's but I do understand, as I've been ready to try writing a book on the aerodynamic qualities of Pixma printers when hurled out of 2nd floor window, more than once

Good luck.

 

[razal]

Hi again! You won't believe what happened! The first thing I did was to clean the silicone seals, althoght it became dirty right after again. But now here the thing. I did removed all of the cartridges from the printer. Next step was to prime all of the colours.
So first I tried to prime the black colour, it's the one the didn't work on the nozzle check. So I blew air, about 1 cm at a time and then waited about 2 seconds and then 1 cm again as it says on the manual. So when I was all way down, I removed the syringe. Guess what happened.... It was such a pressure that the ink was exploding out of the ink reservoir. It came all over my clothes and face and on a lot more things. So I had to spend over 1 hour cleaning even though quite much ink didn't go away. Here a little pic: http://img389.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0091wo6.jpg
Why is this? Can it be something with the black colour as it isn't working on the nozzle check?
I don't dare to try more before I get your help...


Here is how the cartridges looks like: http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0093mu0.jpg

I have also placed the ciss unit lower. I hope this is good: http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0092kq2.jpg

Please, help me.

 

[websnail]

So first I tried to prime the black colour, it's the one the didn't work on the nozzle check. So I blew air, about 1 cm at a time and then waited about 2 seconds and then 1 cm again as it says on the manual. So when I was all way down, I removed the syringe. Guess what happened.... It was such a pressure that the ink was exploding out of the ink reservoir.

Yeah, I've had something similar happen to me but the problem here is again patience... 2 seconds is never enough time to wait for the pressure to equalise.. You should be waiting closer to 20 or even 60 seconds..

Also, knowing which kit you have it does state VERY clearly that you should push down very slowly on the syringe and it also states that if you force too much air in too quickly it can result in ink squirting back up and out of the air balance tube.

I don't wish to offend as I've been in your shoes before but you're trying to go too fast and the result is frustration, mistakes and the rest..


Position of the reservoirs is better but I would move them closer to the printer keeping them at the same level as they are now.

The cartridges now need priming again though, but taking your time... Slow = less mistakes... Trust me on this


.. as to the ink all over yourself... welcome to the club... you have been baptised into the CIS club