Strange problem with MP540...

[Photofan1986]

Hi there!

I've been refilling my MP540 original Canon tanks with Image Specialists inks from OctoInkjet and had no problem until recently.
Well, actually there was a slight problem: a green cast on my pictures. The problem seem to have been a wrong batch of magenta inks, and Websnail sent me a new magenta bottle for free (thanks )
to solve the problem.
Now, I did not purge the magenta cart thoroughly but instead blowed into the small hole on the top to remove the old ink and put the new one in place. I would have done a compete purge if I had another magenta cart, but I hadn't. The early results is that there is no difference, the green cast is still there. But that's ok, I did not expect miracles, as I know it takes quite some time for the new ink to "arrive" to the printer.

However, I now have another problem. I suppose it's not linked with the color problem, but I prefer to tell you anyway.

When I do a nozzle check, everything seems to work fine (well, there still is a slight color cast, but that's ok).


But when I print a photo, the dark areas come out magenta, and there are strange bleeding traces...



The pigment black seems to work fine, but the darkest nuances of grey (almost black) turn out magenta!

Printed in B&W on normal paper:


Printed in color on photo paper:



There is another strange problem: when I print on photo paper (and it is even worse when I print in high quality vs standard), there seem to be some kind of misalignment. I did several print head alignments and everything seem to be ok but when a print a photo (and it's visible in this particular case), something is causing a misalignment.
Printed from computer (pro photo paper, highest quality):




But When I print on a high resolution paper (not glossy), everything is sharp as hell.
So I tried to reinstall the printer driver about three times, but nothing changes. Then I had an idea: I put the picture on a memory card and tried to print it directly on the printer using the same parameters. Surprise! It came out sharp as well!
Printed from printer (same settings):



I must say I'm completely lost. Is it a problem with the print head? Is it fried or anything?
Thanks you for your support! We n00bs really need it

 

[RMM]

It looks to me like your photo black cartridge (or other cartridge) is starving the print head for ink.

Look closely at the BK portion of your nozzle check (the heavy bars to the left).

 

[tigerwan]

Seems like the problem may be the dye based black, looks to be fizzing out on the photo printing, maybe ink starvation?

 

[tigerwan]

LOL... RMM beat me to it...lol

 

[Photofan1986]

All carts have been filled, so there should be enough ink coming to the heads, no?
However, I noticed that the photo black is the only one that, when pressed, doesn't show some ink on the sponge. What else can I do?

 

[RMM]

If it doesn't show ink on the sponge then it is CLOGGED. Don't print anymore with this cartridge! It's ink flow has been impaired.

Either buy a new OEM cartridge or purge (flush out) the cartridge that you have.

Just because the carts are full doesn't mean that the ink is migrating through the sponge as it should.

 

[Photofan1986]

Hmm, what can make this happen? The black cart was one I bought recently because I thought there was something wrong with it.
Well, I see ink on the sponge, but it does not come out as it should I guess.

 

[Photofan1986]

Anyone?

EDIT:
Today, I decided to flush the dye black cart, and I discovered something really odd: the screen where the black cart sits is blue!
And when I put some tap water on the outlet of the cart, a lot of dark blue/black ink came out! That's maybe why my pics all had that blue haze on them!
The black cart was an original Canon that I filled with Image Specialists ink. I heard about "contamination" but I really have no idea how such a thing may happen.
Could somebody explain to me please?
Also, I purged the black dye as thoroughly as I could, be there still seem to remain some blue color in the tank. However, the water that comes through the hole is clear. Is it clean enough?

Print head

"dye black" tank, after flush

 

[Wondering_Mike]

Also, I purged the black dye as thoroughly as I could, be there still seem to remain some blue color in the tank. However, the water that comes through the hole is clear. Is it clean enough?

Are you using cartrigde flush? Cause if you don't it is probably blue color which is still in the sponge (assumption)...
The best thing is to take (pure) black ink and saturate the sponge. The small amount of blue ink will be diluted by the relative large amount of black ink. So you shouldn't be able to 'see' blue in the black ink. And print print print and keep filling the cartridge with (pure) black ink.

Otherwise you should search this site for a homebrew formula for cleaner fluid (flush) or you could buy some by online stores where you can also buy the ink ^_^

Good luck!

 

[headphonesman]

Photofan1986

Did you fill this black cart yourself recently?