Epson large format 9800

InkjetMall Customer Support
1

I have an Epson 9800 printer that has been a great printer. I purchased it from a shop using it with sublimation ink. I flushed the system and refilled with dtf and printed for about 6 months perfectly. I purchased a set of dampers and an oem wiper and changed these out recently because it was requiring more frequent cleanings to print well. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when it started, for lack of a better word, droppung ink from the four left channels which are white. I have taken every measure I can think of and still there is only a line or two of white and then it drops again. Please if there is anything else to try help would be greatly appreciated.
I have… reverse and forward flushed the head (with a tool), changed the dampers twice, flushed the lines individually, cleaned the pump cap and flushed the waste lines, replaced the wiper and flushing box, changed the cartridges, initil fills and power cleans. There are no errors for the ink system, just a lack of white. The colors print perfectly.

2

We do not supply DTF inks and have no experience with them other than knowing that they clog frequently especially the white… Are you using a bonafide company’s ink? They should help you with it.

3

It is actually not about the ink. My question is more about what other mechanical issues could the printer have after changing dampers, cleaning lines and the head, and cleaning the pump cap station. The ink is dropping like it has ink starvation and its not linked to the “dtf” ink. Would you have any suggestions?

4

if your ink is not clogging then you may have over tightened the ink lines starving the ink flow… should just be finger tight…

5

Thank you. yes they are only finger tight. I took off the end again today and cleaned the tubes on the pump cap assembly again, better. When it cycles through cleaning, one of them has drops of ink coming through, the other does not. The yellow line had a visible air pocket and it did not pull hard enough to even move that air bubble. Shouldn’t both lines have ink coming through if it’s pumping properly and shouldn’t the yellow ink move through the line? Is the pump cap assembly the only “pump” on the system? I am looking for one to order and replace this one. Any other advice you have would be appreciated. I am not a tech, just inquisitive enough to try and fix it.

6

The pump at the cleaning station is responsible for getting the flow going as the pump at the back is very weak.

These printers do pressurize the carts. Without pressure ink will not continue to flow. So another thing for you to consider. Bad carts or pump in back.

Air in the line does not get there via the pump. Either it is originating at the cart side of things or being introduced by cleaning as there is no pressurization to push back against.

7

Thank you. From the lack of waste ink during a cleaning, could the pump cap assembly be a main cause? Are you referring to the eight small devices at the cartridges? Where can i purchase these or what part number should i identify? I have changed the cartridges during this process as i have another 9800 with the same setup.

8

Pump begins flow of ink, a pump inside printer near the back pressurizes the cartridges to continue flow of ink. That is divided into right bay left bay usually and you may have lost pressure in the bay controlling four cartridges. You should probably download the Field Service Manual for the 9800 to trouble shoot and repair your issues. This is well beyond technical support and we are not printer technicians. You have full confidence in your inks as not the problem so it therefore can only be physical/mechanical. Search on 2manuals.com for the Field Service Guide as it will show you where all of these parts are located and what they do. There is also some diagnostic software on that website that EPSON provides for Windows. Perhaps in the old 9800 tools there is a pump pressurization test. I have no idea. We have not used 7800/9800 in more then twenty years…

9

Thank you for all your help. I know there are much newer printers, but these are perfect for my needs. The best thing is … I can work on it. But I also have a 1981 z28 that I’m refurbishing. Thank you again.