Question:
After installing and using the BCH Modification Kit for Making Spongeless Cartridges compatible with Canon PG and CL series (PG-210 / CL-211 / PG-240 / CL-241 / PG-245 / CL-246 / PG-243 / CL-244 / PG-260 / CL-261 / PG-275 / CL-276), my black cartridge started printing with ghostly or faded lines on the second half of each page. I've already flushed the cartridge, wiped the print head, and performed the printer's deep cleaning process, but the problem persists. Is there another fix for this issue? Also, can I transfer the current modified cartridge shell to a new one, or would that damage the modification?
Answer:
From your description, the issue you're experiencing-ghostly or faded black lines appearing halfway through a print-is likely caused by ink accumulation or leakage underneath the cartridge. When you begin printing, the capping station initially wipes and cleans the cartridge properly. However, as printing continues, the leak may allow excess ink to gather under the cartridge, leading to partial fading or ghosting.
Here's how you can diagnose and fix the issue:
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Inspect for Leaks:
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Stop the print job mid-way and carefully check underneath the cartridge. If you notice wet ink around the nozzle area or capping station, that's a sign of leakage.
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You can test for leaks by submerging the cartridge in water (just enough to cover the nozzle area). Blow gently into the white vent hole next to the refill hole. If you see air bubbles escaping anywhere other than the nozzle area, there's a leak.
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Identify the Leak Source:
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Leaks can occur when the cartridge shell isn't perfectly sealed after modification. Tiny gaps in the seam or where the refill hole was drilled can cause pressure loss.
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Check the rubber plug or sealing material used during modification-if it's loose or worn out, replace or reseal it using a proper plug or a thin layer of silicone sealant.
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Avoid Transferring the Modified Shell:
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It's not advisable to transfer the internal components or print head to another modified shell. Each cartridge is permanently altered during the spongeless conversion, and reassembly could damage the seal or cause misalignment in ink flow.
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Instead, it's safer to start with a fresh cartridge and redo the spongeless modification carefully, ensuring all seals are airtight.
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Other Potential Causes:
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Air trapped in the ink chamber: This can cause inconsistent ink delivery. Gently tapping or priming the cartridge might help.
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Printhead clogging: Even after deep cleaning, dried ink residue can remain. You may soak the printhead portion (no electrical contact area) in warm, distilled water for a few minutes to loosen clogs, then dry thoroughly before reinstalling.
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Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that we operate on a first-come, first-served basis due to high demand, and it may take a few weeks before we can receive your printer. Our services include full-printer or component-level repairs with detailed instructions on how to proceed. While our rates may not be the lowest, we strongly encourage DIY troubleshooting using online resources. You can start with our BCH YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the channel's menu bar to look for topics related to your printer model.
Thank you again for reaching out and for being a valued part of our community. We appreciate your patience, and we hope these steps help you get your printer back to producing sharp, consistent prints.