Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: dpirazzi on December 07, 2012, 06:15:15 pm

Title: Euthanizing my 4900?
Post by: dpirazzi on December 07, 2012, 06:15:15 pm
My Epson 4900 has seen light use in the ~16 months I’ve had it. It has been a good printer, up until recently I have had only one clog that required a power clean and it cleared right up. I recently switched to a Canon 8300 and was planning on selling the 4900.

While I’ve had the 4900 I have tried to print at least once a week, though in early November it went 3 weeks without being powered up. When I did power it up the LK channel was blank, all others normal. Regular and power cleanings, head soakings, new LK cart, test prints, nozzle checks and extensive cursing over the last two weeks had no effect, LK completely blank.

I took it to an Epson recommended repair shop here in SoCal, they checked it out and told me the head looked good, but the damper was probably clogged and needed to be replaced. Parts were $200 and labor was included in the original diagnostic fee, so I authorized the work.

Today I got a call, damper was replaced and LK is still not working, and now many other channels are also blank. Epson has been consulted and they recommend replacing the pump, which would require buying 6 more ink carts since there is not enough ink to prime/charge the system after replacement. And it will probably need another maintenance tank to take all that expensive ink getting flushed through.

This is going to run at least $800 (in addition to the $300 already paid), and no guarantee it will resolve the issues. The printer is probably not worth more than $1000. Next step, if needed, would be replacing the head, cables and/or motherboard.

I am considering pulling the plug… the repair guy recommends same. This shop only works on Epsons, and has been in business for 20+ years. When I dropped it off they had another 4900 they were finishing up (head replacement), I have no reason to think it is incompetence on their part.

There is probably no value in a non-working 4900, but it may be time to cut my losses. Thought I would post what I learned just in case someone had a better idea.

Thx, Dave
Title: Re: Euthanizing my 4900?
Post by: John Caldwell on December 07, 2012, 06:57:05 pm
Really sorry to learn of this sad story. The printer is not worth an $800 repair, were I in your shoes. Don't know if this something to take up with Epson, with the agreement you'll take a new machine - but the chance for that may have elapsed with your Canon.

John-