How to Properly Fill Canon Spongeless Refillable Cartridges (PG-240, CL-241, PG-245, CL-246)

Question:
I am working with Canon spongeless refillable cartridges (models PG-240, CL-241, PG-245, and CL-246). Since I do not have the transparent cover caps but only the original ones, I want to be sure about the correct amount of ink to use for both black and color (magenta, yellow, cyan). My concern is avoiding overfilling, which could damage the cartridge. Also, I am struggling specifically with refilling the black cartridge. How much ink should I use, and what should I watch out for?

Answer:

When working with Canon spongeless refillable cartridges such as the PG-240, CL-241, PG-245, and CL-246, the ink capacity is one of the most important considerations. Unlike sponge-based cartridges, spongeless designs have a fixed chamber, so overfilling can easily lead to leaks or poor ink flow.

Here are the recommended ink fill amounts for these cartridges:

• Black (PG-240/245 series): approximately 8-10 ml of ink.

• Color (CL-241/246 series - divided chambers for cyan, magenta, and yellow): approximately 3-4 ml per color chamber.

A good practice is to start with the lower range of these amounts (for example, 8 ml in black or 3 ml per color) and test print after refilling. If print quality shows streaks or missing colors, you may carefully add up to 1 ml more per chamber. Always allow a little empty space in the cartridge to prevent overflow and to give ink room to move without flooding the nozzles.

Since you are working without transparent covers, it is extra important to monitor how the ink flows after refilling. Look for any signs of leakage around the printhead or cartridge vent. If ink begins to drip or smear, the cartridge may have been overfilled and will need to be cleaned and refilled at a slightly lower volume.

For the black cartridge, replacement struggles often come from either airlocks forming inside the ink chamber or from residual ink blocking the vent. To minimize this:

• After refilling, gently tap the cartridge on a paper towel with the printhead facing downward to encourage ink flow.

• Ensure the vent hole is open and not sealed. A blocked vent will prevent ink from flowing properly.

• If the cartridge still refuses to work, run the printer's cleaning cycle and perform a nozzle check. This can help draw ink into the printhead after refilling.

You can also review a helpful comparison of cartridge models and refill behaviors in our guide: What Is the Difference Between PG-243/CL-244 and PG-245/CL-246 for Canon Pixma Printer (https://bchtechnologies.com/blogs/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-pg-243-cl-244-and-pg-245-cl-246-for-canon-pixma-printer?srsltid=AfmBOoqgUZ25S2pMltFg9kIV5ao0CPpZ9BtKE4gRFffF1kHYVHS-lBUj).

Addressing printer issues can be complicated due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Because of this, we cannot provide direct remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, BCH Technologies does offer an in-person diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that this service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and depending on demand, it may take a few weeks before we can attend to your printer. We repair either full units or specific parts, and while our services may not be the most cost-effective option, we encourage you to also consider self-help methods. One of the best places to start is by searching for specific tutorials on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Using the search feature on the channel page will help you quickly locate videos relevant to your cartridge model or issue.

Thank you again for your patience and for trusting us with your technical questions. Your support motivates us to continue producing guides and tutorials to help printer users like you.