Epson 1390 Waste Capping Station Tube Repair and Clogged Waste Line Fix - L1800 Capping Station Compatibility

Question

I have an Epson 1390, and one of the tubes connected to the waste capping station has come loose. I am not sure whether the tube can simply be reconnected or whether something needs to be replaced. The waste ink line also appears to be clogged.

Is the Epson 1390 capping station the same as the one shown for the Epson L1800, and what would you recommend for repairing the loose tube and clearing the clogged waste line?

Reference video: How to Remove/Install L1800 Waste Capping Station [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cZEkmgIZYc]

Answer

For the Epson 1390, the good news is that it uses the same basic capping station assembly as the Epson L1800. The Epson 1390, L1800, Artisan 1430, and several closely related Epson models share a very similar printhead maintenance system, so the L1800 capping station procedure shown in the video is applicable to the 1390 as well.

If the Waste Tube Has Simply Come Off

First, determine exactly where the tube became disconnected.

The capping station has waste-ink tubing connected to the pump and waste drainage system. During cleaning cycles, the printhead parks over the cap, and the pump creates suction through the capping station. Ink and cleaning fluid are then pulled through the tubing and discharged toward the printer's waste-ink system.

If the tube has simply slipped off its fitting and the plastic nipple is still intact, you may be able to reconnect it.

Inspect the end of the tubing carefully. If the tubing has stretched or hardened over time, cutting approximately 2-3 mm from the end can sometimes provide a tighter connection when the tube is pushed back onto the fitting. Do not shorten it excessively because the tube still needs enough slack to allow the capping station and pump assembly to operate without pulling on the connection.

Push the tube firmly onto the fitting, but do not use excessive force. The fittings on these capping stations are relatively small and can become brittle with age.

Check Whether the Capping Station Fitting Is Broken

This is especially important.

If the tube did not simply slip off but instead the small plastic nipple or connector broke away from the capping station, reconnecting the tube will not solve the problem.

These fittings are molded into the capping or pump assembly, and attempting to glue a broken fitting back into place is usually unreliable. The waste system experiences suction and ink exposure, so an improvised repair may leak air even if it appears physically attached.

An air leak can prevent the pump from generating enough vacuum to clean the printhead.

If the nipple is cracked or broken, replacing the capping station assembly is generally the more dependable repair.

Because the Epson 1390 uses the same style of capping station as the L1800, you can follow the removal and installation procedure demonstrated in the L1800 waste capping station video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cZEkmgIZYc].

The Clogged Waste Line May Be the Reason the Tube Came Off

The clogged waste line is also important because the two problems may be related.

Over time, pigment, dye, DTF, sublimation, or other specialty inks can dry inside the waste tubing. This is particularly common on printers that have been converted for applications they were not originally designed for.

As the blockage becomes more severe, the pump must work against additional resistance. Depending on where the clog occurs, this can cause poor suction, ink buildup around the capping station, or potentially contribute to tubing becoming disconnected.

A completely blocked waste line can also make it appear that the capping station or pump is defective when the actual problem is downstream.

Checking the Waste Tube for a Blockage

With the printer unplugged and the waste tubing accessible, inspect the tube for areas containing thick or dried ink.

A waste line normally contains ink residue, so discoloration alone does not mean it is clogged. You are looking for hardened ink deposits or a section through which liquid cannot move.

If you disconnect the waste tube for testing, make sure you know where each tube was originally connected. Taking photographs before removing anything is extremely helpful.

You can also place absorbent material around the working area because waste tubing can contain a considerable amount of ink.

Clearing a Clogged Waste Line

If the blockage is located in the waste tube itself, it is often safer to remove or disconnect the tube and clean it separately rather than trying to force liquid backward through the printer.

Depending on the type of ink involved, an appropriate cleaning solution may soften the dried ink.

However, avoid applying excessive pressure with a syringe. If the tubing is completely blocked and you force liquid through it under high pressure, the tube can disconnect elsewhere inside the printer or the pressure can damage components in the capping and pump system.

A heavily hardened or damaged waste tube is often easier and more reliable to replace than to clean.

Do Not Force Cleaning Fluid Backward Through the Capping Station

This is one of the areas where you need to be cautious.

If you use a syringe to test the waste system, remember that the capping station contains a pump and internal tubing arrangement. Forcing a large amount of cleaning solution backward through the system can damage tubing connections or push contamination into areas where it should not go.

The goal should be to identify which section is blocked rather than simply applying more pressure.

For example, you can separate the waste hose downstream from the pump and check whether that section flows freely. If the external waste line is clear but the printer still cannot generate suction, the blockage may be inside the pump or capping station assembly.

Inspect the Capping Pad While You Are There

Since you already have access to the capping station, examine the cap itself.

The rubber cap must form a good seal against the bottom of the printhead. If the rubber is warped, swollen, damaged, or heavily contaminated with dried ink, the pump may not be able to generate sufficient vacuum.

Also inspect the wiper blade. A badly contaminated or damaged wiper can leave ink and debris underneath the printhead and eventually contribute to additional maintenance problems.

If the capping station is old, heavily clogged, or physically damaged, replacing the complete assembly is often more practical than repairing several individual parts.

After Repairing the Tube

After reconnecting or replacing the waste tubing and capping station, observe the printer during a cleaning cycle.

You want to confirm that waste ink is actually moving through the tubing.

If you have an external waste-ink bottle installed, you may see ink entering the bottle during a cleaning cycle. Keep in mind that the amount can vary, so you may not always see a large flow immediately.

You should also inspect the capping station afterward to make sure ink is not overflowing around the cap.

If ink repeatedly fills the cap and does not drain, there is still likely a blockage somewhere in the waste path or a problem with the pump.

If the cap remains almost completely dry during cleaning despite ink being present at the printhead, there could instead be a sealing problem between the printhead and cap, damaged tubing, an air leak, or a failing pump.

Epson 1390 and L1800 Capping Station Compatibility

For your specific question, yes-the Epson 1390 uses the same type of waste capping station as the Epson L1800, so the L1800 procedure is the correct reference to use when working on the 1390.

This family of Epson printers shares many mechanical components, which is why you will frequently see capping stations advertised as compatible with several models, including the L1800, 1390, 1400, and Artisan 1430.

When purchasing a replacement, however, compare the tubing arrangement, mounting points, pump configuration, and electrical/mechanical connections with your original unit before installation. Third-party replacement parts can occasionally differ even when they are advertised for the same printer models.

Addressing printer problems can be complicated because so much of the diagnosis depends on physically inspecting the machine. For that reason, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, individualized repair instructions, or remote repair support. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our BCH Technologies printer diagnostic and repair facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Because demand is high, service is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before a printer can be scheduled for drop-off. We can work on complete printers or, in some cases, individual components, with instructions provided for the appropriate service process.

We also recognize that professional repair may not always be the most economical option. For that reason, we strongly encourage self-help and online research whenever you are comfortable performing the work yourself. A good place to begin is YouTube and our BCH Technologies YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. On our channel homepage, use the search icon located near the "About" section to search for the specific model, component, or problem you are working on. I receive dozens of questions every day asking whether I have made a video about a particular repair. After creating printer-repair videos for more than nine years, it is difficult for me to remember every video individually. Using YouTube's channel search is usually the fastest way to locate the appropriate tutorial, and YouTube may also recommend useful videos from other creators covering the same repair.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. I hope this gives you a clearer understanding of how the Epson 1390 waste and capping system is arranged and what to inspect when the tubing has come loose or the waste line has become clogged. Please take your time when working around the capping station and tubing, as many of these plastic connections become fragile as the printer ages.