Needed perspective on Epson SC P600 faulty Ink Valve

[khmn]

After a 2 years with less than 100 8 x 10 prints & 3 large format prints... The printer was run through cleaning diagnostics 2 to 3 times a week for the duration to date also. Paper used: "Art Premier". Now this printer can not see either the mat or gloss black wells. As I feared the authorized tech via Epson is saying the ink valve is faulty and to repair will costs $200 for parts and $150 for labor, so after tax close to $400 1/2 the original cost of this printer. Do these fees seem fair/correct, or spot on? Does anyone know the actual part number of the faulty ink valve for this printer needed and a source to get it, just for a perspective. Plus what to do if we don't use the mate and the non use is creating debris over time... what to do to avoid this from happening again. If this is a printer designed to breakdown every 2 years and cost $400 per repair then that is wrong and will leave the Epson brand forever. When this printer works it's great, but the cost to value is seeming to be a fraudulent representation of this system from Epson. Note: printer used by professional photographer.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

This failure appears to be pretty premature in your case with such a low usage, this could be a warranty case
with Epson if you are still covered.
You are not listing your country of residence, and could it been that you had an option to extend the warranty period just by listing your printer with Epson ?

You may go from here , a drawing of all the parts of a P600 , look to sheets #3 and #4
https://www.gedat-spareparts.com/ex/sc_p600.pdf
The resp. parts listings are here
https://www.gedat-spareparts.com/in...search=Suchen&model=SURECOLOR+SC-P600&search=
Gedat is not shipping everywhere , you may need to find another spare parts supplier in your country, but it should be a start with the Epson part numbers.
You may need as well a service manual for the P600, @PeterBJ knows the best places for those on the internet. And there is another question whether you are interested to do that on your own - tools - experience .

 

[PeterBJ]

I tried a search for the service manual, but found no free downloads available. Commercial downloads are available at 10 or 20 USD, see this, this and this.