Why Is My HP Spongeless Cartridge Dripping Ink? Causes and Fixes

Customer Question:
I installed a spongeless mod on my HP 61 black ink cartridge, and now it’s constantly dripping ink. Most of the ink seems to leak out even though the seal looks airtight. What can I do to stop the leaking?

Answer:

Why Does This Happen?

HP's original OEM cartridges use a sponge inside to absorb and hold ink. In a spongeless conversion, that sponge is removed and replaced by a pressure regulation mechanism—typically a white column or chamber next to the refill hole. This regulator is designed to release the correct amount of ink only when the printer is actively printing, and to retain the ink when idle.

If your cartridge is dripping continuously, it typically means air is seeping into the system, causing the pressure regulator to fail. Even if the seal appears airtight visually, micro-leaks can disrupt the vacuum balance and let ink flow uncontrollably due to gravity and capillary action.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix It

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you detect and possibly fix the leak:

1. Submerge Test: Fill a small container with water and completely submerge the cartridge.

2. Inject Air: Use the included syringe to gently blow air into the small pinhole beside the refill hole (the air intake channel for the pressure regulator).

3. Watch for Bubbles: Carefully observe where air bubbles emerge. That point is where the air leak is occurring.

4. Seal the Leak: Once the source of the leak is identified, dry the cartridge completely. Use a small drop of superglue to seal the area, being careful not to clog functional parts like the air pinhole or ink exit port. Let it dry thoroughly.

5. Retest: After sealing, rerun the submersion and air test to ensure the leak is fully closed.

This process is quite similar to patching a punctured tire—it requires precision and patience, but it’s often successful.

Additional Tips

• Make sure the refill plug is tight and not damaged.

• Avoid overfilling the cartridge, as too much ink can increase internal pressure.

• Store cartridges upright and avoid exposing them to temperature extremes, which can also cause pressure changes.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for reaching out. We appreciate your support and interest in BCH Technologies, and we’re always here to help you make the most out of your printing equipment.