Manuchau
Printer Guru
Quite by accident, I have found a new way of unclogging 2 stubborn Canon printheads after trying every method mentioned here without success. Too bad I discovered this AFTER buying replacement printheads from Canon, one for an i-860, the other an ip3000.
I took one of the "dead" printheads from the ip3000, which had the BCI-3 black and BCI-6 cyan completely plugged. After rinsing, them in the kitchen sink, I peeled off the rubber ring from both ink ports. I then placed the printhead in a solution of warm Windex in a soup bowl. Taking some old clear plastic tubing I had in a box of leftover aquarium parts, I placed the end of the tube over the BCI-3 port and tried to suck some Windex up through the metal screen. At first, Nothing. I tried 3-4 times and eventually some Windex came up the straw, along with some black ink. (I was amazed how difficult this was considering I have been told that I was a good sucker). Seriously, after sucking some up, then blowing it back down a few times, the nozzle eventually opened, and I was able to print a sample page in black for the first time in a long time.
Using a smaller clear plastic hose, did the same with the cyan, and wonder of wonders, the printhead now prints perfectly.
Same success with the 2nd printhead. The new ones are back in the boxes, awaiting their turn. I'm just saying, it is worth a try before buying a new printhead. It would be great if someone who has a badly plugged printhead would try this method and post results here.
Remember, this might take 2-3 times, but it is worth a trial and I'd like to see other people's experiences.
I took one of the "dead" printheads from the ip3000, which had the BCI-3 black and BCI-6 cyan completely plugged. After rinsing, them in the kitchen sink, I peeled off the rubber ring from both ink ports. I then placed the printhead in a solution of warm Windex in a soup bowl. Taking some old clear plastic tubing I had in a box of leftover aquarium parts, I placed the end of the tube over the BCI-3 port and tried to suck some Windex up through the metal screen. At first, Nothing. I tried 3-4 times and eventually some Windex came up the straw, along with some black ink. (I was amazed how difficult this was considering I have been told that I was a good sucker). Seriously, after sucking some up, then blowing it back down a few times, the nozzle eventually opened, and I was able to print a sample page in black for the first time in a long time.
Using a smaller clear plastic hose, did the same with the cyan, and wonder of wonders, the printhead now prints perfectly.
Same success with the 2nd printhead. The new ones are back in the boxes, awaiting their turn. I'm just saying, it is worth a try before buying a new printhead. It would be great if someone who has a badly plugged printhead would try this method and post results here.
Remember, this might take 2-3 times, but it is worth a trial and I'd like to see other people's experiences.
But you still need to shake the water out.
