Waste Ink Pump and Capping Station Issues

Question:
I recently bought a waste ink pump and capping station. I tested it without power before mounting it to ensure it could draw fluid. Unfortunately, when we assembled it, it crushed the waste ink line underneath the printer frame —graduate school training at its best. Then I noticed a little ink had dribbled out, so I took the printer apart again to view the system. Now, when I test the draw, I’m getting—at most—a vacuum, no ink movement. Did I damage the unit?
 
Answer:
Thank you for reaching out! Sorry for the delay in my response. I understand printer issues are urgent, and I always do my best to give thoughtful and detailed responses. I am BCH Technologies (https://bchtechnologies.com), and I am grateful to you guys, especially with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). These changes are crucial in improving our technical skills, and we truly value all feedback received.
Next, let's solve your waste ink pump and capping station problem.
 
Understanding the Issue
Given the symptoms you described, your printer is likely facing one of the following:

1. Old dried ink temporarily clogs the waste ink tubing or capping station.
2. The waste ink line was pinched when the printer was reassembled, causing a vacuum issue.
3. The pump malfunction or airlock is obstructing the regular ink passage.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Check for a Temporary Clog

• The service station can tolerate small amounts of waste ink buildup, while you may have compacted any dried ink if the tubes were partially clogged when you installed it.
• Instead, try blowing air back through the waste ink tubing to dislodge any blockages. If the blockage was temporarily aggravated on reassembly, this should clean the line out.

Check for Clots or Pinches in the Waste Ink Line

• You say the waste ink line was stuck under the frame. Make sure it is free and clear now.
• It might have been distorted if the tubing was pinched for too long. If necessary, replace the tubing or cut any blocked part to reestablish ink flow.

Inspect the Pump for Signs of Suction Problems
If your pump is pulling a vacuum but not drawing ink, this may mean that:

• Ink cannot pass because of an airlock.
• The tubing is not firmly attached to the pump, which loses suction.
• You can also try priming the pump and manually pulling the fluid through the waste ink line with a syringe. This might clear any air bubbles and resume normal ink flow.

Capping Station Functionality Testing

• Ink must flow freely through the waste ink system; if your capping station is clogged, it can’t.
• A simple test:
  • Could you try filling the capping machine with cleaning solution or warm water and seeing if any drains through the waste ink tubing?
  • If it empties very slowly or not at all, it may be an obstruction of the capillary system, and you have to clean it very well.

Eliminate Section by Section
If the above steps didn’t fix the issue, then check every section individually:

• Remove and test the ink from the waste tube on the pump.
• Test the suction of the capping station by adding a little cleaning solution and see if you suck it through.
• Check the pump diaphragm for damage — if it’s blown, the pump may not generate enough suction to move ink properly.

At the relay, you can see the condition of the battery, tape, and wiring that connects all the other components, which can help you identify the source of the issue.
 
Printer errors often require direct hands-on work to fix mechanical problems, so it takes a bit of trial and error. I'm sorry, but we don't support remote troubleshooting or repair directly. If you need additional help, our BCH Technologies printer repair facility offers an in-person printer evaluation and repair service and may help you with the BCH Technologies repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). However, we are currently experiencing high demand, so service is on a first-come, first-served basis, and repair wait time may vary. Labor or replacement of particular parts include concise guidelines for customers. Unfortunately, our repair services are not the most cost-effective, so if you have DIY troubleshooting ability, we encourage you to use it if possible.
If you want self-help solutions, please visit our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies)and use the search feature under the "About" section. With almost a decade of video, searching directly on YouTube is sometimes the quickest way to find the answers you are looking for. YouTube may also feature helpful videos from various creators to add more value.
Once again, thank you for contacting us! May this guide help you and your printer’s waste ink system return to (working) normal! Let us know how it works out. Good luck printing!