How+to+Fix+'Check+R+or+L++Printhead'+message

=How to proceed when you get the "Check R (or L) Printhead message=

Recently I started getting the message "Check R Printhead" on my iPf5100. I searched around on the wiki and found a bit of info including this post in the forum:

http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/share/view/55418768#55436284

and this FAQ: http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/Clean+Printhead

I found that on a nozzle check, all the blue grid pattern was very patchy, so I tried cleaning "A then pulled the printhead to check for debris per the link above. In my case the head was clear of external debris.

The link at top from thematrix was very helpful, so what I did was to pull the R printhead, then get a PEC pad (used for digital camera sensor cleaning) and fold it over and place it in a tupperware lid of the right size and soak it in Windex. The advantage of PEC pads is they are lint free and non abrasive.

To pull the printhead I powered on and pulled the plug when it was away from the parking position. Note that you can pull the head and there are no ink leaks. Be careful with the head it is covered in ink and the nozzle surface is delicate.

Next place the head on the soaked pad for about 15 minutes. I didn't want to leave it too long as the other head was sitting there uncapped. After that wipe the head with a clean PEC pad and re install.

Next step was to place some Windex and glycerine on the pads at the head capping station, this image shows the two capping station. the LH one is the cleaning station and the RH purely a parking station. You either do this by diving in per the forum post up top by thematrix or you can disassemble the RHS of the printer to gain access. While disassembled you can clean off the wiping stations and surrounds with a clean PEC pad. The service manual which is linked in this wiki is helpful for working out where to start disassembly. You need to apply Windex to both parking stations to get to both heads.

The LH station is where the head sits when cleaning, the RH appears to be purely a parking position where the head is capped to prevent dryout. I added about 5ml or so of WIndex with a little glycerine mixed. Glycerine is the main solvent in the inks.

After this I was traveling for a while so I left the printer powered down. Before you do that you need to power up then power down after re assembly so the heads go to the parking station and are capped. The surrounds of each station are raised up when parked to seal off the heads from the air. After this power up let in clean and nozzle check and print a nozzle check.

The end result was it pretty much completely cleared the clogs and the Check printhead message no longer comes up. The following image shows the before (left) and after (right) nozzle checks for blue ink nozzles:



There are still a couple of gaps in the pattern, but overall a big improvement.

As you have removed a head a head alignment should be done next up.

Hope that is helpful and saves a few people shelling out for new heads. Usual caveat: do this at your own risk, it worked for me but you do need to be careful pulling everything apart.

Chris Ross