How to Fix a Clogged Ink Damper on an Epson ET-5180 Printer

Question: 
I own an Epson ET-5180 printer, and I'm convinced that the damper for the yellow ink is clogged. I noticed you have a used set of 4 dampers on your website, but I couldn't figure out if this set would work with my printer. Can you help clarify?
 
Answer:
 I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. We know printer problems are always urgent and want to provide the most comprehensive and considerate help possible. I appreciate your patience.
Thanks again for all your continued engagement and support (especially regarding our YouTube channel, BCH Technologies) from us at BCH Technologies. Your input and feedback are critical as we shape and evolve our technical expertise, and we are only glad to help with any printer-related questions.
Regarding your ET-5180 printer's clogged yellow ink damper, you're not jumping to conclusions—many people have found that the damper is the cause. Ink is fed to the printhead through a damper, which serves as a reservoir to hold the ink supply and a flow control mechanism. A clogged damper may cause ink flow problems, such as color misprints or lack of ink for specific colors.
 
Will the other Epson model's Dampers fit the ET-5180?
Yes, various EcoTank models can use the dampers. Our product specifications (4PCS Used Genuine Epson Dampers for ET-2750, ET-15000, ET-3750, ST-2000, ST-4000, ST-4550, L1800, etc.) are on our website. The actual difference between dampers for models is the plastic "tail" on the back, which is used to differentiate the dampers between different printers. This tail serves no real purpose besides keeping you from jamming the wrong damper into the wrong model.
In other words, the dampers are universal, and the tail on the back is specific to the particular model. You could technically use these dampers on other EcoTank models—like your ET-5180—if you have a cutter or a way to trim the tail. Even if they aren't specifically ET-5180 listed, you can still get them to work by molding the tail to your specific printer.
 
Fixing a Clogged Ink Damper on an Epson ET-5180
 
Remove the Clogged Damper: The first thing you'll want to do is take the damper out of your printer (the yellow ink one) that has become blocked. Depending on how your system is set up, this might mean removing some surrounding elements to access the damper. Note that you will also need to track all screws and components as you take the printer apart.
 
Look for Clogs or Blockages: Examine the damper for visible clogs, particularly in the yellow ink area. You may see dried ink or debris blocking the ink supply. Occasionally, a gentle physical cleaning with a lint-free cloth or cotton swab dampened with a cleaning solution will remove minor clogs.
 
Damper Replacement or Repair: If the damper is damaged or clogged, it can be replaced with a new or used one. As we said, you can use dampers from other models (such as the ones we sell) by trimming the tail to fit your printer. If you want a match, please get in touch with us for specific parts for the ET-5180.
 
Seal the Caliber: After replacement or repair, reassemble the printer and run nozzle checks and a few cleaning cycles to see if the yellow fitting is functional again. In addition to testing for each color, you should also look for any color misalignment or printhead issues during the test.
 
Additional Tips:
If you replace the damper in your ET-5180 but still do not see ink, the printhead and ink delivery system may also be worth investigating. Clogs in any of these locations can cause similar problems. Clean and inspect these parts to restore proper ink flow.
(Power users: If you’re in a pinch, you can also print using the built-in PDF printer driver.) Please Note: Printer problems can be messy, and consumer advice can get complicated. We do not offer remote diagnosis or troubleshooting, advice, or assistance in the repair of printers. Our local diagnostic facility (BCH Technologies printer repair service) provides in-person evaluation and repair services. As our services are on a first-come, first-served basis due to such a high demand, it may take a few weeks before your printer can be scheduled, however it is well worth the wait! 
 
We cover repair options from part repair to a complete printer overhaul, with guidance for each step. Our rates may not be the cheapest, but we encourage do-it-yourself solutions before professionally repairing your devices. To get started, you can check out our YouTube channel, which has videos on common printer problems. You can just use the search function to find videos relevant to your situation. We also recommend checking other YouTube channels to see if they offer practical tips.
Again, thank you for contacting BCH Technologies and trusting us—happy printing with your Epson ET-5180 printer.