Thanks so much Eric for EVERYTHING you have done, experienced in order to share with all of us. I have read this entire thread and I feel comforted in what I have done, tried and taken apart
And thanks to everyone else that has shared info and problems in this thread as well.
I have a problem with my 9900 that seems similar to what you started out with. My 9900 which is of course out of warranty has what I am assuming clogs in my PK/MK.
I had started a thread here
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=68971.0 but then found this one and started to read.
First let me start of by saying I am in the oldest part of a library on a university campus. I have had my 9900 for about 3.5 years, no problems, great prints. I love this machine (well until now). I print several times a week big and small, matte and photo. I do not print on any fabrics. Just photo paper and matte presentation paper. On rare occasion I do print on the poly-synthetic vinyl. I only use Epson inks and paper. Early on I tried some other branded paper and had so much problem with settings that I switched back.
Now luckily enough I have never had any problems with the air in my area until (even being built in the 1950s) until now. Starting this past may my air went from being 65 degrees F to being between 82-87 degrees F. Then it went back and forth forever until now, I am back at 65 and suppose to stay (so I have been promised). I am saying all of this to say I feel like this has begun the problems with my precious (yes im a LOTR fan).
So I started out with some cleaning cycles "naturally". Pairs, full clean, SS, nothing helped nozzle check stayed exactly the same. I put a wet sponge in over night, nothing. I have taken the machine apart basically and cleaned the wiper blade, which after seeing pictures of yours, mine actually looked okay but I am still planning on replacing it. I cleaned around the caps, etc...
I even managed to take the thing apart to get to the head ( I am not skeered, lol, I am a woman that lives to take junk apart!) My head looked okay to me but I have no idea what a clogged head looks like and I am guessing not many people do since you cannot really see it lol. I cannot wait till you take yours apart.
Now being that I work for a University the budget for me is not great LOL, im serious. So if I tell my boss I need to buy a head for $1200 he is going to flip but if it has to be done....
I am trying everything in my power to not have to do this of course. I obviously have no problem tearing in to this machine, I have not even screwed it all back together just waiting for something else to hit me to try. I have let it sit over night off after a cleaning, nozzle check no change. I have tried various prints to work through air and what-not, no change. I have noticed that if there is alot of black of course that is where you see the banding but if something is very colorful you do not see it.
I would appreciate any ideas, help, thoughts anyone has at all. I have tried several things I have read in this thread except for the overnight soaking of my head because I do not have cleaning solution (yet). I have some windex and warm water, that is it.
Thanks again everyone
B