Running a 3880 without LLK? Fixing a LLK leak?

edmundronald

Newbie to Printing
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Nov 9, 2025
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Printer Model
Epson 3880
Hi,
- I switched my 3880 on after 10 years inactivity and it leaked black ink over the paper.
- Then the leak stopped, but bad nozzle checks.
- I tried to print some tests, and the printer switched from MK to PK, but no leaks.
- After a few days, all the nozzles came back except sporadic pieces of LLK only and no yellow.
- I realized my LLK cartridge was empty, yellow full, all other cartridges half full.
- I used window cleaner (Paris version) and yellow came back. NOW I HAD ALL CHANNELS APART FROM LLK where it was printing a tiny random piece here and there of LLK from time to time.
- I got a new LLK, put it in, IT LEAKED ALL OVER THE PAPER.

- At this point I've put the empty LLK cartridge back. My belief is I have an LLK leak, probably the printhead seal.

Question1: Is it worth fixing the leak?
Question2: What software would you use too print without LLK? I guess I can use Gutenprint to do it, and I have enough spectros and experience to fix the ink curves, but maybe there exists something more user friendly?

Edmund
 
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