Troubleshooting Yellow Printing Issues on an Epson ET-3850
- By Kevin Day
- On Dec 11, 2024
- Comment 0
Question
Kevin, your videos have been beneficial as I troubleshoot an ET-3850 that needs to be printed yellow. The ink tank is complete, but the damper is almost empty. I can pull ink from the tank into the damper, but it remains filled with air. What’s the purpose of the 45-degree notch on the syringe nozzle, and how can I completely remove the air from the damper? The printer worked fine before two long trips, so I initially thought it was a clogged nozzle until I saw the damper was nearly dry.Answer
Thank you so much for reaching out, and I genuinely appreciate your kind words about my videos. I’m sorry for the delay in addressing your question. I completely understand how frustrating printer issues can be, especially when they interrupt essential printing tasks. At BCH Technologies, we aim to give every question the time and thought it deserves to provide the most specific and detailed solutions. Your support and engagement with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) are vital in helping us continue to improve and share technical expertise.To address your issue:
You don’t need to worry about removing all the air from the damper. A damper can function effectively even if it’s only about half full. Once you start printing, the printer will naturally balance itself and draw ink from the tank as needed. However, if air keeps filling the damper, this indicates a problem with the ink tank or the seal.
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Damper Functionality and Air Management
The damper regulates ink flow between the tank and the printhead. It acts as a buffer, allowing the printer to maintain consistent ink pressure. A small amount of air in the damper is normal and won’t affect print quality. -
Syringe Nozzle 45-degree Notch
The 45-degree notch on the syringe nozzle serves a practical purpose: it helps ensure a smoother ink flow into the damper by preventing airlocks. This design minimizes suction resistance and prevents the formation of large air bubbles that could disrupt the ink flow. -
Persistent Air in the Damper
If the damper continues to fill with air after refilling, you should inspect the following:
- Ink Tank: Check the tank for clogs or leaks. A malfunctioning tank may not have enough pressure to push ink into the damper.
- Damper Seal: Verify that the damper is properly seated and sealed. Any air leaks here could cause the damper to fill with air instead of ink.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. We cannot provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and may take a few weeks. Our services include repairing entire printers or specific components, with clear instructions on how to proceed.
For DIY solutions, I encourage you to continue exploring online resources. Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is a great place to start. You can use the search bar to find videos addressing your issue.
Thank you again for your question and support. I hope this information helps resolve the issue with your ET-3850. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!